But without Microsoft’s “PC on every desktop” vision for the '90s, we may not have seen such an increased demand for server infrastructure which is all running the Linux kernel now.
Debatable, in my opinion. There were lots of other companies trying to build personal computers back in those times (IBM being the most prominent). If Microsoft had never existed (or gone about things in a different way), things would have been different, no doubt, but they would still be very important and popular devices. The business-use aspect alone had a great draw and from there, I suspect that adoption at homes, schools, etc. would still follow in a very strong way.
Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 1 month ago
I’ve said this before here, but techy people vastly overestimate both the ability and the patience of the typical user, and it’s the reason so few people use FOSS products.
Products from big tech aimed at private individuals are designed to be as simple to use as possible, which is why they’re so popular.
Nalivai@discuss.tchncs.de 1 month ago
Nah, I have worked in IT education and in helpdesk. Average user doesn’t have a better time getting into Microsoft products, it’s not easier for them than FOSS. The reason for Windows domination is Microsoft spending money and lobbying power to put it in front of every user.
bobo@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Maybe true today, but less true in earlier times (90s and early 2000s) when Microsoft was really gaining dominance.
Nalivai@discuss.tchncs.de 1 month ago
I don’t think you remember how insanely terrible Windows was in the 90s.
SaharaMaleikuhm@feddit.org 1 month ago
What about the boat loads of marketing - ads - aimed at making you believe those proprietary programs are the best? Clearly you fell for it.
Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 1 month ago
I’ve used my share of free software. Some of it worked well, but it always felt clunky, and just never as straightforward to use as a paid product.
But sure, I couldn’t possibly have reached that conclusion on my own, it’s obviously the marketing.
qqq@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Sounds like you’re cherry picking both; I’ve seen plenty of garbage that costs money as well.
axEl7fB5@lemmy.cafe 1 month ago
There are shit proprietary software and good proprietary software. There are shit FLOSS and good FLOSS
MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 1 month ago
And this in turn led to the younger generations being less tech-literate.
Ironfist79@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Is that why Outlook is so intuitive and easy to use?
Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 1 month ago
I did say private individuals, Outlook is more of a corporate product.
merc@sh.itjust.works 1 month ago
It’s a reason. Another reason is all the stuff that Microsoft was found guilty of doing during their conviction for abusing their monopoly.
lefixxx@lemmy.world 1 month ago
People don’t have to compile their own kernel to benefit from FOSS. Their phone can run the Linux kernel and the services they use run on FOSS. The more stuff based on FOSS they use the less license fees and RnD they subsidize. Imagine if you had to pay for every FOSS instance you use. Linux kernel, ffmpeg, openssl, docker, WebKit, mySQL and whatever, the same way you pay for GSM or ARM trustzone or console-like-platform-tax