More of my sites
WinInfo Daily News
SuperSite for Windows
Windows IT Pro Magazine
Connected Home
Thurrott Dot Com
Windows Weekly at TWIT
|
About this site
For six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started
blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul
Monday, September 11, 2006
Millionaire cosmonaut takes on Microsoft
Reuters:South African magnate Mark Shuttleworth has already conquered space. Now he's set his sights on cyberspace where he hopes to challenge Microsoft.
He is taking on U.S. technology behemoth Microsoft by pioneering free computer software that he hopes will revolutionize the way computers are used, and make the Internet accessible to millions in Africa and other emerging markets.
Shuttleworth's "Ubuntu" family of software programs is based on the
Linux open source operating system, which works on the principle that software is free and can be modified at no cost by anyone to suit local and specific needs -- unlike rival Microsoft's proprietary software.
With quirky names for its programs like 'Hoary Hedgehog' and 'Warty Warthog', Ubuntu -- an African word that means caring for your community and humanity for others -- is meant to be simpler to use than other Linux systems.
PC World magazine last year named Ubuntu as the 26th best product of the year -- ranking it above Apple's iTunes media player which was in 34th spot. I guess it's typical for the mainstream press to be about two years behind the ball on this one, but Shuttleworth is an amazing character who needs to be highlighted more often.
Related, sort of: Ex-Microsoft Billionaire Starts Space Tourism Training In Russia
[ Posted at 9:05 AM | Permalink ]
|
