Larry Augustin's Weblog

Sun Goes After Linux

Ever watch a football game where one team is clearly more talented,
but manages to allow the other team to win by continually
self-destructing? Maybe they're putting a great scoring drive
together, and then someone fumbles and the other team recovers? Or
the quarterback throws an interception inside the opponents 10 yard
line?

Somedays the Operating System world doesn't seem all that different.
Just when Unix-like systems have revived, and Linux is gaining market
share, you see something like this:

Sun's plans...and how they could go wrong

George Colony, CEO, Forrester Research

Last week in California, I visited two Sun bigwigs: Jonathan Schwartz,
president and chief operating officer, and Scott McNealy, chairman and
chief executive...

[Schwartz] laid out the surprisingly simple and cohesive strategy that
Sun will follow in pursuit of a recovery...

Step No. 1: Make the argument that Linux equals Red Hat...

Step No. 2: Belittle Red Hat...

etc.

Just whose side is Sun on, anyway? While the Unix vendors fiddle,
Microsoft thrives.

Don't missunderstand me; Solaris is a great platform. But that's not
the point. While Sun is busy slamming Linux, Microsoft is free to
continue grinding out an Operating System that does what the vast
majority of users want, and subsequently runs on 95% on the world's
desktops. It may have its faults, but it has its positives as well.
So much so that there are plenty of Open Source projects to clone
different pieces of Microsoft software.

We've seen this scenario before. Unix vendors bicker: Microsoft picks
up the pieces. Have we forgotten? Are we doomed to relive the Unix
wars again? With Linux gaining market share, and proving itself a
worthy opponent for Microsoft, are we now close to fumbling away any
momentum we might be gaining?

BTW, does anyone find it odd that a vendor would belittle a product that they sell?

Notre Dame 38, Washington 3

The Irish beat Washington yesterday. The defense remains spectacular, although they gave up some key penalties. In spite of the 38 points, the offense was inconsistent. They were unstoppable in the first half, and unable to move the ball in the second half. (The lone second half touchdown came on a very fast drive enabled by one big play - a 50 yard reception by McKnight.) Quinn's timing was definitely off in the second half as he kept missing open receivers.

If the offense can demonstrate consistency, this could be a great team. They have the defense to do it. The offense is young and improving week to week. If the offense continues to mature this team will give USC a run for it on November 27.

Ying xiong

We saw Ying xiong (aka "Hero") Saturday night. This is a beautiful movie. It's a shame that Hollywood can't make this kind of tragedy anymore because most american moviegoers want only feel-good endings. It was even complete with the equivalent of a Greek Chorus in the king's advisors. The style is reminiscent of Wo hu cang long (aka "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon"), but it lacks some of the comedic touch that gives so much life to Crouching Tiger in spite of the tragic overtones.

Watch the cinematography carefully. Each of the flashback sequences features a different predominant color distinguishing the theme of the flashback: red (passion), blue (love), green (youth), white (truth), and black (death).

Welcome to my new Weblog!

I decided to switch to MovableType for Blogging from PHPNuke. PHPNuke is a great content management system, but MNovableType is better for pure blogging. I was also inspired by my friend Andrew Anker going to work for SixApart. :-)