Linux vs. Windows Case Study
Linux vs. Windows Case Study
Abstract
The Linux vs. Windows case study presented Windows as the incumbent platform with a first mover advantage and Linux as the challenger. I would like to take a different approach to analyzing these two platforms and see what we can learn.
If we assume that the history of Linux starts in 1991, Linux is following in the footsteps of Windows. But if we consider the hereditary connection between Linux and Unix, the story of Linux now starts in 1969, and Windows becomes the challenger following in the footsteps of Unix.
When you look at the history of AT&T and Microsoft you start to see a lot of parallels.
AT&T and Microsoft both managed Unix and Windows as a proprietary platforms. AT&T and Microsoft both faced major regulatory challenges with AT&T’s forced breakup in
1982 and Microsoft’s antitrust ruling in 1998. Viewed in this context, Microsoft has been following in AT&T’s footsteps. This begs the question, is Microsoft doomed to repeat with Windows the same mistakes AT&T made with Unix?
My research into this question provided an answer that I didn’t expect. The histories of
AT&T and Microsoft are very similar with their management of Unix and Windows, but they have one critical difference. That is their relationship with Apple. This opens an opportunity to look at the first mover and second mover advantages these companies have employed managing their products.
Introduction
When discussing Linux it is impossible to ignore Unix. When discussing Unix it is impossible to ignore Bell Labs. And when discussing Bell Labs it is impossible to ignore the breakup of AT&T and the Telecommunications Act of 1996. When we consider the hereditary connection between Linux and Unix, and the long history of this platform,
Linux becomes the incumbent platform and Windows becomes the challenger platform.
The Case Study and Class Discussion
The Case Study focused largely on Linux as an Open Source application, and asked
us
Abstract
The Linux vs. Windows case study presented Windows as the incumbent platform with a first mover advantage and Linux as the challenger. I would like to take a different approach to analyzing these two platforms and see what we can learn.
If we assume that the history of Linux starts in 1991, Linux is following in the footsteps of Windows. But if we consider the hereditary connection between Linux and Unix, the story of Linux now starts in 1969, and Windows becomes the challenger following in the footsteps of Unix.
When you look at the history of AT&T and Microsoft you start to see a lot of parallels.
AT&T and Microsoft both managed Unix and Windows as a proprietary platforms. AT&T and Microsoft both faced major regulatory challenges with AT&T’s forced breakup in
1982 and Microsoft’s antitrust ruling in 1998. Viewed in this context, Microsoft has been following in AT&T’s footsteps. This begs the question, is Microsoft doomed to repeat with Windows the same mistakes AT&T made with Unix?
My research into this question provided an answer that I didn’t expect. The histories of
AT&T and Microsoft are very similar with their management of Unix and Windows, but they have one critical difference. That is their relationship with Apple. This opens an opportunity to look at the first mover and second mover advantages these companies have employed managing their products.
Introduction
When discussing Linux it is impossible to ignore Unix. When discussing Unix it is impossible to ignore Bell Labs. And when discussing Bell Labs it is impossible to ignore the breakup of AT&T and the Telecommunications Act of 1996. When we consider the hereditary connection between Linux and Unix, and the long history of this platform,
Linux becomes the incumbent platform and Windows becomes the challenger platform.
The Case Study and Class Discussion
The Case Study focused largely on Linux as an Open Source application, and asked
us
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