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When I was a kid, I remember there was a big commotion about the virtues of
fluoridation for healthy teeth. People would schedule dentist
appointments for fluoride treatments. Then one day, the world changed
when it was announced that fluoride was being added to the drinking
water supply. Instantly, everyone had fluoride without any effort on
their part and without a costly visit to the dentist.
This week we're kicking off our "fluoride in the water" strategy for
desktop Linux that we call "LindowsHD." Our goal is to make desktop Linux
available for everyone, immediately and at no cost. Up until now,
operating systems have been sold the same way for 20 years. They've either
come in a cardboard box on a retail store shelf or more likely, a
computer manufacturer has paid Microsoft $100 per machine and installed it
as they are building the computer (passing the $100 cost onto the
customer). Together with our new partner, Seagate, we're changing how the
entire PC business works. You may not be familiar with Seagate, but
they are the world's largest hard drive company, shipping about
one-third of all hard drives for desktop computers. Seagate is now
selling a line of hard drives pre-loaded with LindowsOS for the
exact same price as a typical blank hard disc. Because the LindowsHD
hard disc is available for the exact same price as the blank hard disc,
the manufacturer is in effect, getting LindowsOS for free.
Computer manufacturers will save billions by purchasing Seagate drives
with LindowsOS, because it removes the need to purchase a $100 license
for every computer they sell. 55% of the computers sold today are
"white boxes," meaning they don't carry a brand name. The white boxes are typically
assembled by small to medium-sized companies. These companies can now
use LindowsHD and avoid entering into expensive licensing agreements with
software companies. All the money they save as a result, they can pass along to their customers in the
form of cheaper desktop computers. The value segment of the PC business
(sub-$500 desktops and sub-$1000 laptops) is booming in the US, as well
as in emerging markets. Cost conscience buyers will call for the most
affordable price, which dictates a Linux-based solution. This makes LindowsHD
an ideal weapon for computer manufacturers to compete aggressively in
these expanding markets.
LindowsHD works with practically any Intel-compatible computer, with no installation
process whatsoever, saving time, money and hassle. Simply plugging in the hard
disc and starting the computer up, LindowsOS will auto-recognize all of the
internal components (video card, ethernet card, sound card, etc.) with
no user intervention. This would not be possible with most other
operating systems because they require installation CDs to tailor the
software for each particular configuration. If you've ever changed a
part in your Microsoft Windows computer and had the software nag you to
go find installation CDs before it would work again, you know what I'm talking about. LindowsOS operates in a more flexible
manner. In fact, it's possible to take a LindowsOS hard disc out of one
computer, and put it into a much different computer and it will
auto-recognize all the new components. This auto-recognition feature
allows Seagate to sell hard discs which will work in virtually all
Intel-compatible computers with no custom installation.
Major distributors such as Bell Micro and Synnex are now selling
LindowsHD with the English version of LindowsOS, to computer
manufacturers. Interested manufacturers should go here for more
information. We have just barely begun to feel the positive impact
that desktop Linux is having on the industry. Our 'fluoride in the water'
strategy will help accelerate the speed at which everyone can benefit
from the affordability, security and ease of use that Linux is bringing
to the world. -- Michael
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