[dba-Tech] So long, Norman

Linux systems are designed to be hacked because of their modularity and
their dependency on script files. They are the epitome of the open system.

Windows systems are tightly integrated and if hacked too much, they will
fail. The old DOS based systems were another hackers-special but when
Microsoft morphed into the Windows gui, most of that flexibility was gone.

That is the same and more so with a Mac. Tight integration, minimal ability
to hack, carefully vetted expensive software and very expensive top-end
hardware. 

Each one of these platforms are totally different in nature and fill the
niche of different markets.

Linux is a stripped down high performance sports car, mostly for racing
enthusiasts. The "real men" that use these systems don't need a gui, and
could field dress a motor or transmission, on the side of the road with
nothing more than a screw driver and pair of pliers. Most of the gurus that
drive these hot-rods, laugh at air-conditioning, don't have wind-shield
wipers or even have wind-shields for that matter.

Windows is the cheap, Ford or Chevy of systems. They run on any hardware and
will carry any load until some junk software accumulation, crappy hardware,
or a series of stupid user tricks causes them to fail. This is the type of
vehicle that picks up the kids, the groceries, checks the mail, goes fishing
with, plays the games and anyone, like the store down the road, the guys
across the street or with a few hours of Googling can patched up again.  

Mac OTOH is a super high-end BMW. Everything on and in it is tightly
controlled; no off the shelf products here, no hardware flexibility only a
very limited number of specialists even know and can work on the hardware.
You don't throw anything in the back seat of this vehicle, tie things to the
roof or go bush bashing. The owners tend to be a little snobbish as after
all, they don't wear cheap off the shelf runners, they model $150 stylish
Rebooks.

Each machine has its place. 

In a business Linux systems are a majority of servers as they are lean,
super fast and with limited components are very reliable. Perfect for
servers but the initial setup requires an IT guy that is a Linux enthusiast,
usually for a few dollars but the reliability guarantees he wouldn't need to
be back often.

Windows are the products that are dumped on every desktop and any software
is put on them. They are cheap and maybe a little flaky but virtually any
clerk can fix them. These boxes are the bread and butter of all businesses
as they cost little, easy to connect and have become the industry standard.

No Uber tech would be seen dead sporting anything but a Mac. They are a
symbol of prestige and success. They are great machines for the road-warrior
and salesman, as they are designed to be totally Cloud base, Wi-Fi connected
and to run internet based software. Whether this philosophy will ever
translate to the business world, in the near future is debatable as most
businesses are shy of allowing users internet access or storing their data
on remote systems. Security and privacy will always be their main concern.

The big question is what is Windows trying to do? They appear to be moving
away from their standard base, the business world, adopting new standards
with emphasis on a more proprietary closed system but this change is not a
simple migration but a 90 degree swing. The business world and most of the
IT people that support them, don't like abrupt changes and I predict the
sales of the new Windows will reflect this. How long will it take for the
public to embrace this new system is anyone's guess.

Jim