Ubuntu 9.10 vs Windows 7: No Ordinary October Showdown
Canonical’s Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) and Microsoft’s Windows 7 are expected to debut within days of each other in October 2009. Some open source pundits will surely hype a showdown between the two operating systems. But Canonical needs to carefully communicate the broader Ubuntu 9.10 story to media, customers and partners. Here are seven potential steps to success for Canonical and the Ubuntu 9.10 launch.
First, the basics:
- Windows 7: Microsoft has confirmed plans to begin selling Windows 7 in retail stores on October 22, 2009. Generally speaking, Windows 7 has earned positive buzz from testers. Many of North America’s top channel partners and managed service providers seem impressed with the operating system. Just last week, mindSHIFT Senior Executive Officer Tyler Roye told me he’s very impressed with Windows 7’s design and speed.
- Ubuntu 9.10: Code-named Karmic Koala, the Ubuntu 9.10 release will feature faster boot times and some other flashy improvements. But this is more than a desktop upgrade. Canonical is pushing hard to strengthen Ubuntu on mobile Internet devices (MIDs), netbooks, notebooks, servers and cloud systems.
Seven Steps to Success
Sure, Ubuntu will need to compete against Windows 7 on some fronts. But Canonical needs to carefully broaden the story — strengthening existing relationships and promoting new ones. A few examples:
1. Desktops: During July 2009, Dell quietly stopped selling Ubuntu desktop PCs in the U.S. But Dell itself says it will soon ship a new Ubuntu desktop. And niche suppliers like ZaReason and System76 continue to serve the Ubuntu 9.04 faithful well. Canonical should return the favor: Solidify the Dell relationship while rewarding ZaReason and System76 with some publicity during the Ubuntu 9.10 launch.
2. Mobile (Notebooks, Netbooks, MIDs and SmartBooks): Here again, Dell, System76 and ZaReason all remain loyal partners. Hewlett-Packard also has an Ubuntu-driven netbook. And Canonical is working to adjust the Ubuntu Netbook Remix Edition’s user interface.
As part of the Ubuntu 9.10 launch, Canonical needs to clearly communicate which vendors are shipping netbooks and notebooks with the new operating system, including links to landing pages to help accelerate buyer decisions.
Also, Canonical will need to carefully clarify its relationship with Intel in the Mobile Internet Device market. Canonical and Intel in mid-2007 announced joint MID work. But much has changed since that time, including Google’s Android and Chrome OS efforts, plus Intel’s Moblin (mobile Linux) efforts.
Canonical offered some MID updates in February 2009. I’d expect more MID updates during Ubuntu 9.10’s launch — including potential buzz about so-called SmartBooks.
3. Servers and Virtualization: Hewlett-Packard recently decided to certify its latest ProLiant servers for Ubuntu Server Edition 9.04. And in April 2009, Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth said Ubuntu Server Edition had been certified to run on roughly 45 different server configurations from Dell, IBM, Lenovo, Sun and others.
Few server vendors actually offer Ubuntu Server Edition preloaded with their systems. But if Ubuntu Server Edition 9.10 is certified to run on four-dozen or more server configurations, Shuttlworth will have continued the company’s server progress. Also, Canonical needs to ensure ISV announcements — particularly recent moves with Alfresco and Openbravo — show continued progress with 9.10’s debut. A list of new ISVs would be particularly welcome during 9.10’s launch.
Oh, and let’s not forget the IBM-Canonical-Virtual Bridges partnership, which virtualizes Ubuntu desktops on Linux servers. Some early customers could be on-board in time for Ubuntu 9.10’s launch, I suspect.
4. Cloud: Partners like RightScale have been quick to evangelize their cloud efforts with Ubuntu. And Shuttleworth has openly stated Canonical’s close working relationship with Eucalyptus for private cloud solutions. During Ubuntu 9.10’s launch, Shuttleworth and Canonical need to reinforce the operating system’s relationship to Eucalyptus.
5. Training: Canonical in mid-2009 expanded its training offerings for Ubuntu. The company will win more fans if Ubuntu 9.10-focused training debuts around the launch of the new operating system.
6. Deployment Tools and Services: From Landscape (remote administration) to Ubuntu One (shared file storage), Canonical needs to articulate how the company’s tools help businesses and end-users to deploy and manage Ubuntu 9.10 systems and related files.
7. Channel Partners and Customers: Canonical certainly has been adding channel partners (resellers, integrators, etc.) in recent months. When Ubuntu 9.10 arrives, Canonical needs to highlight a few of profitable Ubuntu channel partners and their end-customers.
Most of all, Canonical and the Ubuntu community need to ensure Ubuntu 9.10 debuts only when it’s truly ready for production deployments. Instead of choosing a specific Ubuntu 9.10 ship date, 76 percent of WorksWithU readers say they want the new operating system to ship “when Canonical deems it ready to ship.”
My best guess: Ubuntu 9.10 is on track to ship in around two months. But don’t let anyone tell you the new Ubuntu release is just a desktop offering. Canonical has far grander ambitions.
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I fully agree with the two core concepts in this post: the need to reward the partners in the release announcement, and the need to emphasize, in a concise but informative way, the wealth of offerings. Ubuntu/Canonical should leverage on the Desktop to gain traction in more lucrative sectors, such as MID’s, servers, even phones, netbooks, servers, all of that through OEM partnerships. Even the desktop can be somewhat lucrative if Linux becomes more mainstream and you can get some juice by selling customization services to big hardware vendors …
If it wasn’t obvious, besides “being nice”, the rationale for rewarding the faithful partners is to get more partners, and hence grow further. Everyone would die for 5 minutes in the spotlight, for free, in an official Ubuntu release statement.
By the way, and regarding Windows 7, I love to look at the Google trends plots:
http://www.google.com/trends?q=ubuntu%2C+windows+7%2C+windows+xp%2C+windows+vista&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=1
Yes, I am aware this doesn’t correspond (even remotely) to actual usage, but hey. The monster is awake!
Leo: You use a key word … “concise.” I think Canonical’s challenge is to cover a LOT of ground in the Ubuntu 9.10 announcements in a concise way. But I do need to give credit where credit is due: I’m impressed with the recent news regarding Landscape enhancements, new ISVs, etc. We’ll see if all of those efforts converge for the Ubuntu 9.10 launch.
@Joe: yes, nobody will read a ten page announcement, or press release. But, as you mentioned, there is so much going on! Maybe they can break it into pieces, one for each big sector (MID, Server, Cloud, etc). And a general announcement with a short summary for each, linking to each individual “sector” discussion. The other key thing is to keep it fresh, but professional looking. The folks at RedHat are very good at that. You need someone that a corporate head can look at, and buy (in all senses of the word
)
(Errata: I meant to say “something” that a corporate head can look at).
I agree with all, spot on. Numbers 1 and 2 are probably the most visible, but the others are also very important too.
Feed this back to them. Lets get them moving.
Zac: Thanks for the comment. I do believe Canonical is moving on all of the above fronts. But I also think it’s very, very challenging to get the major hardware makers and ISVs aligned for a press/media blitz.
It’s sort of like planning a single concert featuring numerous bands — some widely known, some still emerging. Will all of the bands show up on the right day and time? Are they willing to share the stage?
I suspect Canonical is weighing all of the variables above. I’m curious to see how the effort plays out in October 2009.
What I find so intriguing is that Ubuntu and Win. 7 are even being compared! Ubuntu is relatively new compared to the Windows world, but yet they are being compared. If Ubuntu can keep making the strides that it has so far, then the next Windows release and the new Ubuntu to be close to that date shouldn’t be close. Ubuntu is picking up steam and I see nothing but good things, can’t wait for 9.10!
Great article by the way Joe!
Can we stop trying to compare Windows 7 to anything Linux has to offer? Please?
Linux and Windows are different animals. Linux is secure, stable, and efficient. Windows 7, what Vista should have been, is still behind Linux in terms of its registry (still convoluted after 15 years), and in terms of it’s speed.
ya…for me using both is the best way to compare..but i haven’t find anything yet to compare because both of it has it own best..ubuntu is secure because the infected more like gone to the majority user..
anyway..windows 7 is the best OS of microsoft after xp has come 8 years back..ubuntu very nice
ubuntu may need more effort to involve/mixed with the laptop/pc industries to get their system known..
by the way..ubuntu is a great OS i’ve found for rich and also poor people like me….:).
Gos bless Ubuntu..
@Gorfsnopple: technically, I think any modern Linux is years ahead in most (though not all) aspects. I suffer XP at work and have a great, free(dom) computer life at home. But I believe Alan’s point, and the reason Joe is raising this, is not technical, as much as it is a matter of market perception.
People, the media, users, there is the generalized perception that Windows finally has a rival, not in terms of technical excellence (which honestly never characterized MS products IMO), but in terms of market share.
This should be a pretty fair comparison. A horrible windows operating system against a horrible linux operating system. Hopefully they both come out and fall on their faces. Then we can get back to real linux operating systems.
@Marcus #11
Take a deep breath, read your comment again. You are exaggerating to the extent that your post is silly and your tone trollish.
Is there any reason you should be taken seriously?
@Alan:
You find it interesting..that this niche website which dedicated to reporting on Ubuntu..is comparing Ubuntu to Windows 7? Isn’t this sort of article exactly what you would expect to see here even if it wasn’t done elsewhere?
What will be interesting to see if lifehacker decided to do this sort of head-to-head comparison. They are already aware of Ubuntu and have covered it positively before..but they are by no means a linux centric site as the cover a lot of ground including windows only applications.
-jef
Hey Jef: I will be sure to check out lifehacker. Back here on WorksWithU, I don’t think we’ll ever do head-to-head reviews, but we will continue to compare business strategies.
From my perspective, Windows 7 represents Microsoft’s chance to rise from the Vista ashes. And Ubuntu 9.10 represents Canonical’s chance to further diversify beyond the desktop market. Certainly, the Canonical and Microsoft strategies are quite different. And we’ll be watching to see if Canonical can monetize services around Ubuntu.
Hi… I’m just an average user. But I have been exploring linux and Ubuntu for a few years. Finally tried it and it appears to be the “bomb” to me. Microsoft can’t possibly keep the lid on this movement for too much longer It’s just a matter of time.
Aduuuuh pokoknya saya tunggu kehadirannnya dari Ubuntu 9.10, pokoknya ubuntu manteep euuy. It’s OK gitu lhoo.
Another point,
As long as there is no good possibility to communicate via MSN (windows life messenger) young people will still use windows. And now i’m talking about voice and video chat.
Linux (ubuntu) know this, but there is very less improvement about this.
Im only new to Linux Ubuntu but have tried several Linux versions in my time but until recently i stayed with Windows Becuase i was a die hard gammer But now i don’t play games that much i am using Ubuntu and i like it alot so my point is if Linux wants to get more of the market they need to make it easier to play online games which was the only reason i stayed with windows as i think linux is much better in every other way especially Ubuntu and Kubuntu…
@mark #18
The biggest reason gamers can’t really rely on Linux for their gaming needs is not really the fault of the OS as it is with the developers making the games for Windows/OSX instead. They see Windows/OSX as a chance to make money rather than offer “free” games. What they don’t realize, though, is that there are gamers willing to split from Windows if the proper games were provided for Linux users and even pay for them. I know many users of Linux that wouldn’t mind paying the same price they do for a game in Windows if they could have it in Linux instead and I think that’s a point to be made to game developers rather than Canonical Ltd. or the Ubuntu team.
Now, if they came to light, I can see a lot more gamers and even some casual users switch to Linux or even at the very least, try it out.
@heian #17
While you have a point, Pidgin has been making strides into trying to get voice and video support into their program. It takes time to do, but that’s not to say it can’t be done. Look around for information on it and you may be surprised by what you find.
Jesse~
hello friends, i want to say that m really a great fan of ubuntu.. but the thing is there is no compatible drivers for compaq presario cq 40 108 tu note book. which i m using at present.. moreover there is no possible way to run autocad on ubuntu.. so i hope there will be no such problem in 9.10 edition..
i think ubuntu needs to do some real work for cad applications.. thnx in advance..
Marcus #11
You should stick to your pretty little MAC, and please do not even try to understand what we are discussing here because its beyond your comprehension.
I love the Linux idea. Tried many distros but still fell back to Windows. There are still many things that Windows can do easily and Linux can’t; period.
I’ll save any praise for Ubuntu once I can feel confident that I can move files to a USB drive without fear of the external drives file system being corrupted. I’ve had nothing but problems with USB support on 4 different computers, using 10 different USB drives, 2 of which I’ve yet been able to retrieve any data from. The drives have never given any problems under WinXP so I suspect Ubuntu is missing something related to USB performance.
i’m a great fan of ubuntu
they just dont have a flash player for firefox
@punet have u heard about wine app?
maybe u can run ur acad there
its a ubuntu app that can run windows app
just my 2 cents
@joez i have a 160gig ext hd that been corrupt
my ubuntu 9.04 saves the day it bakups all my file and safely format the ext which my xp can’t
Having used Linux for over a year on my desktop I am impressed by how it mirrors a lot of aspects of windows and has other better features on top.
However, I still have a partitioned Hard drive with windows running on it as some aspects which are used by the desktop world are far behind the windows environment.
e.g. The video on demand such as the BBC Iplayer application is unwatchable compared to the smooth running HD application offered for windows this is an intensely used application in Britain.
Ubuntu will never be able to challenge windows until it becomes more user friendly and installations of software/hardware become seamless, I still have problems getting scanners and other peripherals working.
All of this means I have to keep using windows.
As my Hard drive space is running out it’s getting to crunch time before I have to pick one system out of these two.
Hi all!
I’m not a computer freak, but I work at home with ubuntu only, since 5 years now (ubuntu 4.10). It works fine for me.
@The_Kid: It’s not the fault from Linux, if some hardware does not work like it should be. It’s because lots of manufactures keep everything behind closed doors.
My laptop IBM R51 (2004) runs fine, but I’m sure it would not run with windows vista, nor windows 7!
I’m very happy with ubuntu, and will stick to it!
I just found this article and think that it may be of interest for others that read this one and give their opinion here.
http://port25.technet.com/archive/2007/08/13/Interoperab-on-the-metal-and-on-the-wire.aspx
i didnt read all the posts… so if this was said before im sorry.. but why compare all the operating systems… each one has its up and downs… me its hard to make up my mind.. i love linux.. but its touch support thats driving me away from linux… they say 9.10 is supposed to have better support.. but i still cant get it to work… sorry im just not a geek that can set at my computer all day and learn code and crap… windows is easier.. but yea viruses spyware.. blah blah…. but nobody seems to think bout the more popular that linux gets the more viruses etc.. there is going to be… i think everyone should stick to there own.. stick to what they know.. be it windows.. linux…mac.. etc… there is no perfect os… but i really dont wanna get flamed on… but why doesnt linux.. u know all the freaking flavors get together and work on a os.. not forever.. but u know just once to just see what they could come up with.. i know it could blow the world away… but i dont know it just seems like linux users are just so full of them selfs.. all i ever see is linux users downing windows and other linux flavors that they dont use …… really doesnt make since to me
If you want to play games on Ubuntu get WINE, I have played everything from CS:S to Civilization IV and WoW on it with almost no effort at all. You don’t even need a good computer for playing games using WINE.
sir plz send me free cds ,i hae no cds i wait u ch ,my address..
adeel
house no.393/V block farid town sahiwal..punjab ..pakistan
^^ Adeel, plz make a request over here: https://shipit.ubuntu.com/
Ubuntu 9.04 is by far the best operating system i’ve used till now but the only problem is playing games. All the games comes for windows. And wine is crap it only runs a few games and the result is also not good. VirtualBox is also not an alternative since it run windows under ubuntu, so if im running a game like modern warfare 2 then its very slow.
im writing an article which will be published on my website 3tons in a few days on Ubuntu vs Windows.
that is very true alex. games only comes out for windows, not for linux, unix, OSX etc. Maybe thats one of the reasons why ppl are still sticking with windows.
Im a newbie here in linux im using a dual OS linux ubuntu9.10 and windows 7.. most of the time im using my ubuntu for my programming purposes…i heard about the rumor on using WINE(emulator) where can i get the full installer of this wine, kndly send to my email (gfrbiagtan@gmail.com) tnx more powers!!!!!
ok gian you can get wine very easily in ubuntu. All you have to do is type the following in terminal:
#sudo apt-get install wine
Regards,
Evans