Denis’ Blog

Do you know there is ReactOS, a 10 year old project to developp an open source Windows XP clone? My God, open source is everywhere !

Google launched today Google Apps for Your Domain. Google is proposing to organizations their own gmail, calendar, Google Talk and Web Page Builder, hosted & managed by Google but branded to the organization.

Well, this new service from Google confirms 2 points:

• Google targets Microsoft more than ever: after the Word processor, the spreadsheet, the IM and the firefox push, Google is going for services before the firewall. This is a declaration of war to Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Live Communication Server
• 2007 will be the Web OS war year. Microsoft goes Live aggressively, with very good services. Google has its DNA Live compliant. Add a few buzz around the open source EyeOS, and you will have the perfect condition for a new trend (at least for a lot of buzz).

Is the network computer back ;-)?

Vmware launched a few months ago a contest to push the adoption of its virtualization technology. The community was challenged to build ” the best virtualized appliance”. This “Ultimate Virtual Appliance Challenge ”
generated 169 community-built virtual appliances showcasing real-world uses of virtualization. Great for Vmware and the promotion of virtualization. Everyone has now operational examples of what virtualization can do for them. Want a complete Virtual PBX? Just download a VM. You want a complete, ready-to-use CRM for SMB? Just download a VM.

But was is really interesting is that on 169 VM available from this contest on http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/ , 169 run on top of a Linux instance. Yes. 169/169. Of course this is to eliminate the licencing problems of commercial operating systems like Windows. With such a hit ratio, be sure than may people will discover Linux. They will start to be used to it. They will start to find normal that a serious, ready to used system, run on Linux. With full of open source apps that, well…just work.

This is finally not a good news for Microsoft.