Is Windows going to be replaced by another OS ... ever?

[online.education]

Is Windows going to be replaced by another OS ... ever?

I personally cannot foresee that's happening in near future. I wouldn't say that Windows will be the dominant OS forever and ever, but Mac won't replace Windows. I sincerely doubt if Linux will replace it, either ...

[Sar]

It depends, if things happen like it did to Disney and Wal-Mart, I'm sure Windows might radically change if Bill Gates passes away.

[FuRom]

Well, windows is used by a large percentage of computer users and it is simply because of 3 key facts:

Windows supports the most 3rd party programs
A lot 3rd party programs are made exclusively for windows
Windows is easy to use

I just don't see the old folk that can't use a computer just getting up one day and start using a linux system. Also, mac is just a fad. The operating system is not very program friendly and it's consumer base is compiled of people that just don't know how to use a computer with things like "It just works" in their ad campaigns. Apple had their last chance at coming back when they released their super sexy TV in 2000 and talked schools into buying millions of their systems. I also personally feel that having the letter "I" in front of all of your software's names.... is just a desperate cry for help. As for "it just works", that is a lie. If it just worked, then it wouldn't have a single website about fixing your mac. I doubt the windows empire will crash and burn anytime soon, and when they do, people always have linux and old versions of windows.

[Wes]

If they're desperate for selling items and put 'i' in front, how come those items are selling rapidly and big?

[Sar]

If they're desperate for selling items and put 'i' in front, how come those items are selling rapidly and big?

That's a good question, and I will also add the 'i' is the equivalent of 'Microsoft' in front of the product name, just one is Steve Jobs and the other is Bill Gates.

[FuRom]

If they're desperate for selling items and put 'i' in front, how come those items are selling rapidly and big?

I've not seen anything other than the products related to the iPod that actually sells and that is only because there isn't really any other good competitors in the market of portable media players. iPod is essentially the only media player that can bring you 80 gigs in that size at the moment as far as I know, but that is not to say that no one else has the ability to do this, just no one has done it. Anything other than the iPod related products would be a surprise to me.

[Levi]

I've not seen anything other than the products related to the iPod that actually sells and that is only because there isn't really any other good competitors in the market of portable media players. iPod is essentially the only media player that can bring you 80 gigs in that size at the moment as far as I know, but that is not to say that no one else has the ability to do this, just no one has done it. Anything other than the iPod related products would be a surprise to me.

You're somewhat changing your voice. It's okay to say that Apple sells products well because it's a fad, since no one can argue that because only time will tell. However, to imply that only their Ipods are selling is misleading and shows a lack of research. Sales of Macs are higher than they've ever been since the Mac was invented, and most of those sales are thanks to new Mac users discovering that Macs aren't "hard to use" or perfect either. I'm very certain that the Ipod buzz has helped that happen, though.

Fad? I don't think so, but how could I argue that?
Only Ipods selling? Fiction.

[FuRom]

You're somewhat changing your voice. It's okay to say that Apple sells products well because it's a fad, since no one can argue that because only time will tell. However, to imply that only their Ipods are selling is misleading and shows a lack of research. Sales of Macs are higher than they've ever been since the Mac was invented, and most of those sales are thanks to new Mac users discovering that Macs aren't "hard to use" or perfect either. I'm very certain that the Ipod buzz has helped that happen, though.

Fad? I don't think so, but how could I argue that?
Only Ipods selling? Fiction.

I'm pretty much reffering to software products, sorry I didn't clarify that distinctly, it was in direct co-relation to Wes' post. The only thing besides the iPod that has the "I" in front of it that I've seen is mac's programs. Also, sorry if it seems my voice has changed in regards to the subject, I assure you it hasn't. My statement is not so fickle.

I figure that in a few years the mac will pretty much be dead and all we will have left from it is the equivalent of what I like to call the "dreamcast effect". People that are so dedicated to the old machine that they just shove the thing into their closet under all of their old crap that they're afraid to let see the light of day because it'll get jealous of what replaced it. xD

[Sar]

There is the iMac, which is a line of consumer desktops.

Though I believe the 'closet effect' has already happened when Apple adopted the Intel processor in the Macintosh.

I doubt the Macintosh will be dead, I know Electronic Arts (EA) and Westwood are converting their titles to the Macintosh, such as Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, and that the Macintosh does utilize a 64-Bit OS better than Windows does (mainly due to proprietary configurations of the Mac). Both are possible key points in boosting the Macintosh, as well as probably some folks willing to take the challenge of running Windows Vista on a Mac (XP has been supported for a long time).

The main drawback of the Macintosh is price, and that you cannot upgrade a Macintosh too well.

[online.education]

Apple as a company is doing great business, and it's selling different products, hardware products. But it seems that they just can't get a bigger share in OS / PC hardware market.

[Levi]

I'm pretty much reffering to software products, sorry I didn't clarify that distinctly, it was in direct co-relation to Wes' post. The only thing besides the iPod that has the "I" in front of it that I've seen is mac's programs. Also, sorry if it seems my voice has changed in regards to the subject, I assure you it hasn't. My statement is not so fickle.

I figure that in a few years the mac will pretty much be dead and all we will have left from it is the equivalent of what I like to call the "dreamcast effect". People that are so dedicated to the old machine that they just shove the thing into their closet under all of their old crap that they're afraid to let see the light of day because it'll get jealous of what replaced it. xD

Ha, the "dreamcast effect." :-)

As much as I still disagree with you, thanks for clarifying what you meant, it makes sense. The difference between the Mac and something like the dreamcast, however, is that new technology essentially made the dreamcast obsolete. My guess is that as long as the Mac stays on the edge of new technology (which they doubtlessly have been doing), they'll be fine. I mean, unless "new technology" means a $10,000 table (http://www.microsoft.com/surface).

[stuffradio]

I can see Linux taking over the OS market.

a) It's free, and Open Source
b) It's getting more User friendly every year. Take ubuntu for example.

[compaq_xp]

The Question isen't will windows be replaced It's more Will Microsoft be replaced.

And yes, I can see Linux taking over, Once there a little more support, And gets more well known

[Sar]

Believe it or not I still favor Fedora over Ubuntu, but that's just me (Red Hat over Debian).

ATI's releasing of the specifications of their cards to programmers is a big gain towards Linux distributions, which might make Linux a bit more popular.

I know Dell has been offering Ubuntu with certain machines for a while though.

The biggest hurdle that Linux needs to overcome is a more unified package system. Most Linux software requires the user to compile the software into their own kernel, which regardless is a pain sometimes.

[online.education]

The biggest hurdle that Linux needs to overcome is a more unified package system. Most Linux software requires the user to compile the software into their own kernel, which regardless is a pain sometimes.

To the vast vast vast majority of computer users, it's like asking them to solve some differential geometry equation or prove some theory in complex analysis. As long as the discussion of user friendliness is taking place at this level, Linux won't be taking over Windows (desktop / laptop).

[stuffradio]

Sar Ubuntu has made self compiling package systems. Ubuntu is by far the most user friendly flavor so far :p as a Desktop/Server flavor can be

[Haywire]

Guys... I didnt read the whole topic but... I read that things will change when Gates dies? Ha! I worked for Microsoft about 6 months ago, Bill does not own Microsoft. In fact, a couple years back, he gave the company to his friend Steve, under the condition that he gets to remain an employee in the testing/development department. So if Gates died, nobody would miss him :P

[FuRom]

Guys... I didnt read the whole topic but... I read that things will change when Gates dies? Ha! I worked for Microsoft about 6 months ago, Bill does not own Microsoft. In fact, a couple years back, he gave the company to his friend Steve, under the condition that he gets to remain an employee in the testing/development department. So if Gates died, nobody would miss him :P

Bill Gates is the CEO of Microsoft corporation, last I heard. Anyways, I don't see mac taking over at all. Linux would probably stand a higher chance is it was more moron friendly. Yep, that's right. I said moron friendly. I have a right to... I'm a moron apparently.... I can't really use linux too well. I'm slowly learning it's inner workings on a virtual machine, but I'm getting no where.

[Huru]

Short answer, No. Windows is widely supported by so many companys. For there to even been a possibility of a sudden os change is if windows have screwed up so much and another operating system such as linux takes over.

[Sar]

To the vast vast vast majority of computer users, it's like asking them to solve some differential geometry equation or prove some theory in complex analysis. As long as the discussion of user friendliness is taking place at this level, Linux won't be taking over Windows (desktop / laptop).

I wouldn't doubt it.

Bill Gates is the CEO of Microsoft corporation, last I heard. Anyways, I don't see mac taking over at all. Linux would probably stand a higher chance is it was more moron friendly. Yep, that's right. I said moron friendly. I have a right to... I'm a moron apparently.... I can't really use linux too well. I'm slowly learning it's inner workings on a virtual machine, but I'm getting no where.

Actually Linux has features similar to UAC (Vista) all the way back in 2004 when I first used Fedora Core (now called Fedora). In fact unless you're root (or sudo in Ubuntu) you can't change a thing in Linux when it comes to administrative or file systems outside your home directory on the local drive. You really should go ahead and buy a spare hard drive for testing out Linux, it's more fun that way. Live CD is the final option, but you can't save progress or reboot it.

[Sagashiteru]

I just wanted to say that microsoft has been planning to either bring out their own linux flavor OR change the way window works with linux additions.

it's been months since I've heard anyhthing about that, but I remember.

[jlp09550]

Err.. what about the planned Google OS?

[Sar]

Err.. what about the planned Google OS?

I don't know.

Wikipedia shows it to be Goobuntu, an Ubuntu designed for use by Google employees, but I doubt that what you're referring to.

Nevertheless, if Google were to design an operating system from the ground up, which indeed is not a bad idea. You have to compete with the fact that you need programs written for it rather quickly, or else the operating system will die out and hover around the Linux level.

Though glancing at a few sites it's leaning towards a Linux distribution, or possibly an OS strictly used in a browser.

[jlp09550]

I don't know.

Wikipedia shows it to be Goobuntu, an Ubuntu designed for use by Google employees, but I doubt that what you're referring to.

Nevertheless, if Google were to design an operating system from the ground up, which indeed is not a bad idea. You have to compete with the fact that you need programs written for it rather quickly, or else the operating system will die out and hover around the Linux level.

Though glancing at a few sites it's leaning towards a Linux distribution, or possibly an OS strictly used in a browser.
It would be.. in almost no doubt.. that Google OS would succeed.. it's even more popular that the MSN website. D:

[Sar]

It would be.. in almost no doubt.. that Google OS would succeed.. it's even more popular that the MSN website. D:

Well if it were Web based, I wouldn't doubt it for a second. Google is good at keeping a free and neatly done system without a lot of banner ads (I find the Google ads to humor me from time to time) and is extremely fast.

Now if it were going to be something to replace/coexist with another OS, then I think it needs a lot of work to gain speed.

[online.education]

I don't know.

Wikipedia shows it to be Goobuntu, an Ubuntu designed for use by Google employees, but I doubt that what you're referring to.

Nevertheless, if Google were to design an operating system from the ground up, which indeed is not a bad idea. You have to compete with the fact that you need programs written for it rather quickly, or else the operating system will die out and hover around the Linux level.

Though glancing at a few sites it's leaning towards a Linux distribution, or possibly an OS strictly used in a browser.

Traditionally, existing enterprises do not come up with a breakthrough product like OS that's going to replace Windows. I kind of doubt if Google will come up with such OS.

[bms1000]

I personally think that it will stick together until I develop my own system... okay, I might not... but I really do think that it will probably never be over powered unless someone time travels back to the past with a newer more developed operating system...