Business Models

Dear Linux Magazine Reader,

The bloggers have really been busy recently with commentary on the "It's Better with Windows" website, which is intended to convince EeePC users that they should be running Windows on their minis instead of Linux. I have already used this space to voice my opinion on the Asus EeePC matter. In summary, I will admit that Linux lost the battle when Asus switched its emphasis to Windows, but in the long term, the episode still marks a diminution of Microsoft's power, since they were forced to keep back-pedaling and changing their plans in the face of real competition. This month, my overriding reflection is one of alarm at how very serious everyone is about one extremely vacuous video. The "It's Better with Windows" video is actually one of the least informative informational videos I've ever seen. In fact, I couldn't find anything at all in the video that addresses the question of how or why the EeePC is better with Windows. A few vague headings like "Trusted," "Familiar," and "Compatible," appear above and below the video area, but it isn't like they are links to some kind of white paper – they just fade into the background as undifferentiated marketing hype.

The video itself has no spoken words. Music plays while the camera tells the story of a little family of models who live in a tastefully decorated house. They are not only rich but are also the embodiment of a sophisticated aesthetic sense, with color-coordinated pillows on their sofas and small sculptures placed at strategic points throughout their environment – including a white statue of an artichoke at the place where the model family gathers for breakfast. Despite their seemingly formidable financial resources, they all carry around matching $300 small computers.

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