Comment analysts take! (Score 2) 453
I'm a market research analyst(thats analyst, not marketer) for one of the big 5 computer hardware and software companies. My organization works extensively with Gartner Group (and about 20 other research vendors) and I thought I'd make a few comments here.
1)Remember, when dealing with research companies that they generally are very conservative in their analyses. I can't tell you how many times I've had some project manager question the data that comes out of a Gartner/IDC/Forrester report because the report was incredibly conservative.
2) As another general rule, Gartner et. al. are concerned with large trends. I realize that Linux and the open source movement is a larger trend than they want to give credit for but it still does not account for much of the market. That IMHO is one of the reasons they feel safe giving it a less than stellar outlook.
3)Regarding standards, applications, and support, Gartner is correct on an Enterprise basis. Linux is still a risky proposition for most enterprise. BUT, everyday there are more apps and support for Linux, not to mention the open source community. It will just take time for the large enterprise market to embrace it more enthusiastically. We all know how fast multinationals move (can anybody say molasses in January!)
4)As has been said many times here, better does not always win. Linux may be the best thing there is but that doesn't matter if no one knows or cares. In some ways this article is a good thing because it shows that the vendors are (and have been) talking about Linux. That, of course means that it is having some impact.
5) "HP says other inhibitors to Linux's growth include general industry mistrust of freeware, difficulty in installing and configuring it, lack of scalability beyond four processors and the scalability of its development and support model."
This is a crucial quote in the article. I know that you have all heard it before, but it is a pivotal set of problems. I realize that some of these problems have been addressed, but it is a question of education. The open source community needs to have a voice that will be heard by enterprise. Slamming articles that do not paint a rosy picture of Linux does no good whatsoever. As important as the open source movement is, its really too bad that SOME of the most vocal supporters have nothing constructive to say. "You're a stupid @#$&^!!!" goes nowhere for converting the masses.
Okay so I got a little off the subject, sorry anyhow thats my 2 pesos
Poo-Bah
I know Kung-Fu! -Neo
matt@swo.com
1)Remember, when dealing with research companies that they generally are very conservative in their analyses. I can't tell you how many times I've had some project manager question the data that comes out of a Gartner/IDC/Forrester report because the report was incredibly conservative.
2) As another general rule, Gartner et. al. are concerned with large trends. I realize that Linux and the open source movement is a larger trend than they want to give credit for but it still does not account for much of the market. That IMHO is one of the reasons they feel safe giving it a less than stellar outlook.
3)Regarding standards, applications, and support, Gartner is correct on an Enterprise basis. Linux is still a risky proposition for most enterprise. BUT, everyday there are more apps and support for Linux, not to mention the open source community. It will just take time for the large enterprise market to embrace it more enthusiastically. We all know how fast multinationals move (can anybody say molasses in January!)
4)As has been said many times here, better does not always win. Linux may be the best thing there is but that doesn't matter if no one knows or cares. In some ways this article is a good thing because it shows that the vendors are (and have been) talking about Linux. That, of course means that it is having some impact.
5) "HP says other inhibitors to Linux's growth include general industry mistrust of freeware, difficulty in installing and configuring it, lack of scalability beyond four processors and the scalability of its development and support model."
This is a crucial quote in the article. I know that you have all heard it before, but it is a pivotal set of problems. I realize that some of these problems have been addressed, but it is a question of education. The open source community needs to have a voice that will be heard by enterprise. Slamming articles that do not paint a rosy picture of Linux does no good whatsoever. As important as the open source movement is, its really too bad that SOME of the most vocal supporters have nothing constructive to say. "You're a stupid @#$&^!!!" goes nowhere for converting the masses.
Okay so I got a little off the subject, sorry anyhow thats my 2 pesos
Poo-Bah
I know Kung-Fu! -Neo
matt@swo.com
