Microsoft's 235 arrows at Linux

The war is heating up and Microsoft says Linux infringed 235 of its patents.At last some number.

• Linux kernel - 42

• The Linux graphical user interfaces -65

• The Open Office suite of programs -45.

• E-mail programs infringe -15

• Other assorted free and open-source software(FOSS) programs-68.

I think this whole issue will again rise the debate whether software programmes should be patentable.It looks like Microsoft may strike deals with Linux vendors to collect royalties like it did with Novell Inc..But question is whether Redhat and others are ready to accept that??Open source have the backup of biggies like IBM,Oracle,SUN and HP.Problem with large companies is they have thousands of unused patents and they are not opening them to startups to encourage innovation.SUN and IBM did some thing towards that direction and Microsoft can follow them.

Open source has always been threat to Microsoft 'coz they milk out their profits from license.If you ask me there should be 2 or more suppliers of Windows to discourage monopoly.In the hardware field for example Nokia gets same type of chips from two different suppliers to curb any monopolistic practices.But in software, Microsoft made it increasingly difficult for customers to switch.Office is one great example in that.I think its now or never for open source and they have to settle the scores with Microsoft to benefit customers.

Linux coming of age

After trying SUSE 10.2 and Redhat FC6,Mandriva i settled with Ubuntu 7.04.I can tell you it's the simplest OS i've ever used and stable too.If you are interested you can order free CDs from Ubuntu site.It has got all kinds of applications softwares like VoIP,Office,Multimedia ,Chat,development tools etc.If you want to use gtalk VoIP feature in Linux there are messengers like jabbin,Gizmo project.Gizmo project allows you to make 10 min free international call per day and their browser based version also available.Ubuntu really riding on high after Dell computers decided to ship some models with Ubuntu.Back in 2000 also Dell shipped some Linux PCs but suddenly stopped.Michael Dell also uses Ubuntu on his notebook.Dell hoping this move can give the company some much needed momentum after it lost in the recent years to HP.I don't know whether they can reduce the price of PCs to sub $400 'coz OS and softwares are free.They have to,otherwise there is no point in buying as you get free Ubuntu CDs ,downloads and support anyway.

I don't think this move will signficantly impact Microsoft Windows as it had great relations with PC manufacturers including Dell.Sensing the danger from ubuntu,Microsoft also announced they will give away $3 software to developing countries.Ubuntu can definitely help developing countries by agressively marketing it.Cannonical software company run by South African entrepreneur Mark shutleworth sponsering Ubuntu project and it's right now the hottest linux distribution on the scene.You can see some videos on youtube to check out more about Ubuntu Beryl 3D desktop effects which looks like light years ahead of Vista's Aero.Difference is Vista costs you around $300 and Ubuntu is absolutely free.Ubuntu surely rocks and linux surely coming of age and i mentioned in one of my previous post also.

Can Silver+Bronze strike Gold?

Well,i'm talking about possible Microsoft-Yahoo merger rumors that became news of the day.The news says that the deal could be worth of $50bn??Microsoft's interest in yahoo is well known and recent msn-yahoo IM deal can say something about cozy relations between the two companies.Pressure is mounting on Microsoft after it lost Double click deal to google.I don't know whether the deal can go ahead or not but lot of questions remains unanswered.

1)Both are struggling with search technology to compete against google,so i don't think the deal can make the situation any better as combined market share would be around 30% compared to Google's 65%.
2)In terms of ad revenues Yahoo launched it's panama ad platform only recently and Microsoft's woes are well known.Both are unestablished and the merger can make situation more worse for them.
3)Microsoft investing more than $7bn on R&D and web services strategy and it believes it can build it's own technology(windows live) than buying.Microsoft also known for it's reluctance to big acquisitions.If you go by this the deal can never become reality.
4)Cultural and integration problems obviously pop up and Microsoft's evil image can make it more complicate.
5)Mergers usually helps companies to complement each other but Yahoo and Microsoft competing in similar areas like E-mail,IM,Search etc.The deal can rise audience numbers but can also attract anti trust watchers attention.
6)May be Microsoft will take some stake in Yahoo rather than acquiring completely.That can workout for both companies for gradual merging.

Currently both companies are clearly struggling in search but Microsoft's deep pockets can make their combined search more powerful and that's what Microsoft has been looking for.

Something is wrong with Zune

It seems Google not updating it's Algorithm.'Coz every time i search for Zune in Google,it suggests me to search with 'Zone' key word.The screen shot shows it recognized the context but yet it fails to replace 'Zone' with 'Zune'.It's been more than 6 months that Zune released in the market and Google search fail to recognize the keyword.Yahoo,Live search works ok in this case.It seems Google also not impressed with Microsoft's ill fated Zune.Soonly Microsoft going to launch Flash version of Zune by year end and at least now Google should add Zune keyword.

SaaS Signal or Noise??

Few days ago,i was reading interview with Ray Ozzie(Microsoft's Chief Software Architect) and he talked about Microsoft's future in the increasingly webified world.He talked at length about Software as a service(SaaS) and how Microsoft prepared to the new challenges.These days much talk is going on SaaS,especially after Google rolled out it's Docs&Spreadsheets and soonly going to add presentation software service also.Symantec also announced that they are testing free online backup service.Adobe considering to rollout online photoshop version soonly.There are already hundreds of Firefox add-ons available today,which are marking rapidly evolving SaaS.Adobe's Flash media player is also a kind of SaaS and Microsoft expected to field it's own version Silverlight soonly in the market.It all signals that we are heading firmly towards Network computing and browsers,devices going to play a big role in the coming days.In one of my previous post also i mentioned about Network Computing.

Ray Ozzie tells some intersting views about SaaS in his interview and i recommend my blog visitors to read full version.Ray Ozzie's comment about SaaS goes like this.

"So the way I view it is, first generation "software as a service" really just meant browser. Second generation means weave together hardware, software and services to accomplish a specific solution.The iPod is a great example of that. You have hardware, the embedded software on the device and an associated [online] service. Does that mean all solutions have to involve hardware and software services? No. There are going to be many things that are perfectly good to deliver in a browser. There are also going to be many software [applications] that are standalone, which will have only a little piece up on the service. But I think it benefits the customer to think of it holistically".

I feel most of the consumer software will migrate to browser but i am skeptic whether same thing can happen in enterprise market as stripped down browser versions may not produce the same results as featureful desktop versions.Another thing is that SaaS becomes meaningless when you go off line.So customers need to evaluate carefully what value they are getting rather than going by hype.Most of the SaaS market targeted at SME(Small and Medium Enterprises) business segment.Currently only17% of world population uses internet and the numbers expected to grow.No. of PCs also need to grow and recently Microsoft announced that they would provide $3 software in developing countries for those who can not afford.I don't know why $3,they can give older versions of Windows for free like Linux.It all seems like we are entering new era where users no longer charged for Software and collaborative work environment demands going to drive SaaS further.

Joost,the killer of You tube???

At last i got Joost beta tester invitation for which i applied in last month.I downloaded and installed the software and it's really cool experience.But unfortunately as of now i don't have any invitation privilage and may be in the coming days it will be added to my account and the screen shot tells the story .It's really great to watch TV in full screen on computer thanks to Joosts' P2P technology.The founders of Kazaa,Skype back with a bang and i'm sure Joost will be hit and can give a run for You tube's money.It has got some cool features like Search,IM(You can IM people who are watching the same channel),Parental control and some cool widgets like clock,news ticker.Right now widgets choice is limited but according to Joost Blog they are going to release Joost SDK soonly which can enable developers to build widgets.Right now the content available is somewhat limited but i think once it goes public from beta version we can expect more to be added and Viacom a media giant recently signed a deal with Joost.Joost FAQ tells that programmes can't be recorded as it can be watched anytime(on-demand basis).According to Joost site,in one hour of viewing, approximately 320Mb data will be downloaded and 105Mb uploaded, which means that it will exhaust a 1Gb cap in 10 hours.So it consumes too much of bandwidth and may be in the later versions technology can be fine tuned.Soonly they are going to release Linux Joost client also as it currently runs on Windows,Mac platforms.Content uploading is not supported at the moment and they are concentrating only on well known Media brands sponsored content.

Good thing is that Joost attracting some competition from early stage.A European startup called Babelgum also working on Next generation TV over internet and it has very good venture backing also.Adobe's Philo can also be added in the Joost's competitor's list.I think it's alarming time for You tube and they recently added some features like IM with people who are watching the same video and uploading videos directly from mobile etc.But i think real concern is You tube should accept only quality content and i am sure You tube will offer their service in Full screen in the near future in the wake of rising competition.I am also predicting that Microsoft will join the list as their interest in web TV is well known.Surely great days ahead for idiot box???

Podcasting:The Road Less Travelled

These days my ears chilled out with lots of podcasts and i loaded my recently bought iPod Shuffle with lots of Business podcasts.In case you are wondering what the hell podcast is,i suggest you to go through this Wikipedia article.Podcasts are not limited to iPod and you can carry them on any portable player.After listening to many podcasts(Of course for free), i left with only one question. How these guys are making money??My curiosity drove me further to explore this.

Podcasting in simple words "Your Voice->WWW->Portable Player->Masses"

Today,if you search in Google for podcasting it gives 38mn search results.Despite the promise and potential of the podcasting,It's not yet caught mainstream attention.I mean,the diversity of audience is not so great and it still have a long way to reach critical mass.Today,it's popular in education and academic world where you can listen to lectures on the go.Else where it is struggling to find feet.

Today, if i see there is lot of high quality podcasting content is available on net but the problem is there are no takers.Last year more than 140mn MP3 players shipped and in the same time 1bn Mobile phones also shipped.My view is,if podcasting wants to catch up with masses it should and can happen on Mobile phone only.Imagine you are a tourist and your Mobile phone guiding you through podcast???I believe the potential of podcasting can be exploited on Mobile phone only and that seems like a perfect match.In my previous post also i mentioned this.

There are potential problems in transmitting podcasts on mobile as it's pretty expensive even if you set up Toll free.Secondly the voice quality may not be as great as portable player.Another problem is as i mentioned advertisers support for podcasting is not so great so far.In 2006 podcasting ad market accounted for $80mn only.When you compare it with today's online advertising revenues(it's around $14bn),it's negligible.But podcasting ad market is expected to grow up to $400mn by 2011.That's more than 100% CAGR and sounds exciting.

Today's podcasting market ecosystem formed by Publisher,Advertiser and Listener.Again in each category there is front end and back end.For example in Publisher category in the back end people who supply podcasting studio equipment and software and in the front end people who actually present the show.But in the current scenario the advertiser and listener both seems to be inactive and that presents a big opportunity for innovation.

Despite all problems i bet on Mobile phone 'coz it's ultimate consumer device where podcasting will be highly effective.So,what's the solution??But i feel,to see podcasting seriously on Mobile we've to wait for 1 yr 'coz by that time market will see the growth of wi-fi enabled and S/W intensive phones,which will present a perfect market for free ad supported podcasting.iPhone is coming this June and that can kickoff podcasting culture on mobile phone.There are few companies like pod2mob which are trying to deliver podcast links to mobile phones but i think that is too expensive to click.Defining viable business model in this field still unfinished work.Recently You tube also started MMS casting.Future certainly looks bright and there is lot of room for innovation in podcasting which can change the way we live.

Few resources of podcasting(Google can do better job)

• Podcast value chain a Free Market Report

• Podcasting Market Analysis A Free Market Report

• iTunes(lots of podcasts and iTunes client)

• Podcast resources

• Odeo(lots of podcasts)

• Audacity(A free Audio editor and recorder Software)

These are just few and i encourage my blog visitors to google, to explore podcasting world as podcasts are free and knowledgeable which can match different tastes.

Google's Fools Day Prank

Well,all of a sudden Google declared it is giving ad supported free internet through your Toilet Room.This press statement is really hilarious and it doesn't take much time to know it's a fool's day prank and Google is not new to this.They are telling users who ever signs up for the service will receive a full home self-installation kit, which includes a spindle of fiber-optic cable, a TiSP wireless router, installation CD and setup guide.
Some silly clues to you find the truth.

Why do Google need toilet to connect to net when they can do it through underground cabling or some Wi-Max kind???

What about Google's ambitious San Francisco-wide free wi-fi project???They never told it'll be Toilet project???

They didn't mention Geographical location where they will implement??

Anyway enjoy the prank.