[LINK] Lenovo, Microsoft, Adobe win NSW schools contract

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Agree with both of you, Michael & Stil. And, Praval also makes sense ..

> From:   "LinuxProNews" <linuxpronews at ientrynetwork.net> 
> Date:   Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:26:23 -0400
> Subject:   Is Linux Ideal To Base All Games In? 

04.01.09

Is Linux Ideal To Base All Games In? 

By Praval Singh 

GNU/Linux has an immense potential, not only because of the fact that it 
can be ported to myriad of devices and installed on almost any hardware, 
but also because of the touch of openness and freedom it provides to its 
users. 

The question here is, will Linux be ideal to base all games in? 

Currently, Linux might not have as many games as Windows probably has but 
fact that Linux has a strong community of developers in its periphery 
shows a better future. 

Linux games create a separate niche market for its users. Are the gamers, 
more than just users, are willing to go that extra mile and make an extra 
effort for a great gaming experience? It isn't strange that a large 
section of the gaming industry is still not acquainted with the gaming 
options in Linux, sadly though.

A large collection of good 3D games may probably lead to a heavy increase 
in its user base. 

Linux gaming outcasts the open-source world, as there aren't enough Linux 
users who believe in Linux gaming & its advertisement. 

Linux is not yet into competition with Windows, as far as gaming is 
concerned but there definitely lies a future. 

The appeal of free games and the exotic open environment experience shall 
be hard enough to resist, especially for the geeky teenagers.

http://www.marapets.com/arcade.php

Gaming is just another pillar for Linux to increase its user base and 
market share.

http://blog.andrewmin.com/2008/12/28/why-games-are-the-key-to-linux-
adoption/

Min (above) suggests that Linux gaming may be the key to beating Windows-
plus-Office, in part because the demographics of gamers mesh well with 
the demographics of Linux users. Linux servers host a lot of high-quality 
online games available and provide a plenty of choice. On the stand alone 
desktop games, the selection is still thin when compared to the MS 
Windows platform.

If you're an Ubuntu fan and need some help configuring your graphic 
cards, check out the Ubuntu games wiki. 

http://ubuntu-in.info/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_Games

Shifting to the world of gaming in Linux does not imply that one has to 
compromise on the habits and styles of playing games. Infact Linux offers 
its own share of gaming experience - which is slightly different in a 
better sense. Linux can attract the masses by making them addictive of 
the programmability features i.e. the power of customization of the 
character, game, features and graphics. Further, the possibilities of 
optimizing a game are endless.

Gaming in Linux would revolutionize the entire PC gaming industry, and 
broaden the gaming market. However there needs to be great business model 
for the developers to put in their hard work and build something that can 
squeeze some users off today's largest gaming platform - MS Windows, 
which has painted the gaming industry with colors!

About the Author:
Praval Singh is a contributing writer for Brajeshwar.com

--
> On 02/04/2009, at 8:08 AM, Michael Skeggs mike at bystander.net wrote:
> > Bit of a blow for OSS, which could have seen a generation raised and
> > trained in Open Office, Linux etc. but I suppose this way the premier
> > can say we have supplied $5000 worth of software to your kids, rather
> > than $0 worth of software.
> 
> This is a not-unimportant point.
> 
> Politicians can boast about how much money is spent, and it's easy to  
> prove that the money was, indeed, spent. Somehow. And it can happen  
> more quickly.
> 
> If they start boasting about achievements, results or "outcomes", then  
> it may be harder to prove. Or harder to achieve. Or take so long to  
> achieve that the next government gets credit for it.
> 
> No, much better to boast about money being spent.
> 
> Stop asking questions.
> 
> Stil


--
Cheers,
Stephen