Linus Torvalds: Windows 7 Rocks!

Oct 26, 2009

While Microsoft was assembling a promotional booth to celebrate their Windows 7 launch directly opposite the Japan Linux Symposium in Tokyo, Microsoft's biggest competitor couldn't resist spontaneously recognizing the textbook exercise in irony.

According to AMD's Chris Schlaeger, participating at the 1st Annual Japan Linux Symposium (October 21-23) in Tokyo, at one point a small group led by Linux founder Linus Torvalds took a break to go to the Windows 7 booth that was coincidentally (or not) located just opposite the symposium, there to dwell on the meaningfulness of the situation.

Linus Torvalds finds that Windows 7 really rocks! Perhaps? (Photo: Chris Schlaeger).

Schlaeger, in the role of photographer at the event, was of the opinion that Microsoft intentially set up its Window 7 booth on its launch date specifically at the Linux Symposium to compromise the latter's success. However, the setup was just too much of a temptation for Torvalds. By his own admission, he often jokes about Microsoft, but stays clear of direct bashing.

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Comments

  • Linux is everywhere

    look at your phone, your HD Tvs, digital cameras,dvd players, Gaming Systems (other than Xbox) printers, synthisyzers, most GPS units, Mp3 Players, Security Systems, all of them are run by a form of linux. we use linux in our everyday lives. without linux, we wouldn't have high tech games, software, or anything else because we wouldve had to program them under windows and mac, and NOBODY programs under windows or mac, because linux is king.

  • Good on Microsoft for showing up with a real home/business system

    I had tried Ubuntu and Kubuntu before Windows 7. Windows 7 won because it runs all my Windows applications that I ran on XP for the last 9 years. I personally like the way Windows 7 works a whole lot more to. Using the Classic Start Menu program and I liked the date format as Tue 15 Feb like Linux had so I set my windows to be like that. Also Windows 7 is supported by a big corporation who gives a crap about customer service. I got the Ultimate version for $99 delivered. I think it's a great product and it deserves to be used by many home users the world over. Until Linux has mainstream support from gaming companies it will never be accepted. It's the same with the Mac, they're just not a player outside of the US. Also lets face it OpenOffice isn't anything!!!!! like Office 2010 for features and specs. Being able to open an office file format is a far cry from what that suite can do. I use Office XP and that's about where Open Office is currently at. I know because I've used it, and still do on a laptop. Mind you Office XP is 2002. That's 9 years behind. It's just another reason Linux will never be the system of industry. It's great for servers because it's basically UNIX and all servers and mainframes were UNIX way back when. So that's no big whoop. What Microsoft did was bring computing to everyones home. You should all thank them.

  • Windows Rocks!

    Windows Really Rocks, and the fact that it took 24 years to get to an "stable version", well, at least the most stable off 'em all, Just ´cause an OS is more sell than other doesn't mean that is better than other, it's all about stability, not marketting, in fact windows is so reliable that is barely used in servers, so bob, understand this, is not quantity is quality!!!

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  • Bah

    Linux sucks and Torvalds failed.

    The only (little) occasion for Linux was during the starting of Vista, when it was rejected by lot of people.
    With the great success of 7 Microsoft gained back what was lost with Vista, and Linux stepped back to the miserable 2-3% of home users.

    p.s.

    Linux more reliable than osx ? What the hell ? big-smile

  • mmmhmmmm

    > to Mr. "mmmhmmmm" I just couldn't help myself but to ask, are you an idiot?

    I could say the same, but that would be stupid.

    > The fact that you said Linux distros have problems, windows have problems and EVEN (god forbid!) Macintosh has problems points to a strong indication you are nothing more than a product of sheer marketing.

    No it doesn't.

    > "even mac"? Linux is more reliable than MAC is, ask any Linux guru that.

    Great, as long as your definition of "Linux guru" is someone that agrees with you.

    > The way you phrased that shows you know nothing and just watch "all those commercials and all"... yes I am making fun of your other comment: "all those commands and all" ... that line there automatically labels you for what you are -- a moron.

    With all you blethering, you forgot to make an argument.

    > What I can't believe is no one came along and reamed you out before for your ridiculous mind-numbingly stupid, yet a hint of know-it-all, comment.

    Yes, funny that. Yet you still don't reconsider your beliefs. You are exactly the kind of person that the comment is aimed at.

    > I've always felt that Internet access is a right but you make a great case for an argument to change it to a privilege.

    Be careful what you wish for. You don't have much chance of gaining that privilege. Although you're not the only one happy

  • mmmhmmmm

    to Mr. "mmmhmmmm" I just couldn't help myself but to ask, are you an idiot?

    The fact that you said Linux distros have problems, windows have problems and EVEN (god forbid!) Macintosh has problems points to a strong indication you are nothing more than a product of sheer marketing. "even mac"? Linux is more reliable than MAC is, ask any Linux guru that. The way you phrased that shows you know nothing and just watch "all those commercials and all"... yes I am making fun of your other comment:
    "all those commands and all" ... that line there automatically labels you for what you are -- a moron.

    What I can't believe is no one came along and reamed you out before for your ridiculous mind-numbingly stupid, yet a hint of know-it-all, comment. I've always felt that Internet access is a right but you make a great case for an argument to change it to a privilege.

  • mmmhmmmm

    Fact is, you all need lives. Every distro has issues in Linux, every version of Windows has issues, even Mac has issues. Sitting here arguing over who has the best operating system is ridiculous and infantile. Use what suits you. Get over yourselves. Computers aren't simple machines and therefore operating systems aren't SIMPLE either. Sit down, get over ALL your smug attitudes, and think about it. DOS is where it started and it wasn't simple. All the commands and all. Think about it. You messed up one character and you had to start again. DOS never had too many issues. Windows has. So in my opinion, all your goofy efforts... ALL of you Microsoft, Apple, and Linux alike has killed PCs. So grow up people. No operating system is better than the other. Some have more benefits than others but there's pros and cons to everything...

  • Vista was anything but fast

    May be now Win 7 is faster, I do not think that many people can say that about preious Microsoft OS, especially if the hardware was old.

  • FTW

    Yo! Mikell you suck, win7 easy hahaha, try looking MacOSX then you know win7 is a rip-off, and btw, Linux FTW!!

  • Please don't feed the troll!

    Windows may be my bread and butter, but Linux is my drug of choice!!

  • windoze7

    Just look at Linus's smile, he's really enjoying it!

  • Practical reasons to care about Free software...

    Have any of you ever thought about the installation process? When having to install a Windows system I always feel this sense of dread. I'm going to have to sit there while it installs and then download all the drivers and install them and then go looking for software etc. It's a real hassle if you find it needs network drivers and usb drivers - download drivers on another machine, burn a cd and then install. Yuck.

    And then a few months down the line I realise that a new version of X application is out. So I then start trawling through all those same sites that I downloaded those drivers or software from just to keep that system and the software up to date... Or I rely on the fact that alot of programs will tell me they need updating... as soon as I open them up. Oh hey, I just wanted to get going not sit around waiting for a damn update.

    With Linux though, I install it, and my hardware works! Most of it anyway. No trawling through sites having to download the drivers. I've got most of the software I need installed by default and I don't have to trawl through websites looking for what I want. The distribution has done it for me.

    And updates? No going through individual websites to get updates. Even better, I don't find that as soon as I open an application it's telling me there's an update and you'd better go visit their support or download page.

    And then if I don't like the way a distribution does it, I have a choice. I can change my distribution if that's what does it for me.

    And why the big difference? Because when things are Free, we've got the freedom to do things better...

    Regards,
    Nevyn

  • you are a troll

    mikkel,
    you are a troll and an idiot

  • Mikkel

    Nerds like you, Mikkel, may be happy with a lame duck like Win 7 .
    ( I guess you were as happy too with Vista )
    But it will end like all the other Win distributions: the betatest is running now, with the
    help of the paying user/customer . In a few years the "new" system will -maybe- performing
    like the old XP .....
    Nothing new ...., so keep on dreaming with your both eyes closed omg))))

    Marc

  • Ower dream is here now Linus - You did it.

    Reply to rant Mikkel Oct 26, 2009
    it is obvious that you have never kept up with the headlines news of windows 7 reports When a half ashed company as big as MS is turns out crap operating system and a A$$ olds idiots like you supports it to th hilts, it shows just how much common scenes you have between your hears,

    One needs to look back and remember why Linus Torvalds started what he did and the reasons why,
    Window 1,2, 3 and windows for work groups total disasters but workable if you had the hardware divers,
    Windows 95 better than it's predecessors but still lacked manufactures support for hardware drivers, now you got the BSoD instead of a systems lock up,

    Packhard Bell became history because of windows 98 disastrous lack of hardware drivers, every computer that left the factory was returned to the factory because they crash within an hour of turning them on, Windows ME well what can be said about that so called Microsoft's state of the art operating system.

    Out of the ashes of window ME came NTFS 2000, with it major security holes then the next branch off came XP with it's many flavors still with the same security problems of NTFS 2000,, of which it took MS 6 years and 3 service packs later to get it XP reasonably sound and working. But still with the same security problems from NTFS 2000,

    Then came Vista another windows ME preposterous episode, then out of the ashes of Vista comes the Vista upgrade renamed Windows 7, still with the same security problems six years later, reported here in this web link
    http://fsfe.org/news/2009/news-20091019-01.en.html.

    And you have the cheek and audacity to mention Linux problems Come on man blow your nose, wipe those tears from your eyes, then you may see the writing on the wall through the light of day, whats in store for Microsoft

  • Linus-Windows-7-rocks-NOT.jpg

    Also see http://www.xs4all.nl/~bjdouma/Linus-Windows-7-rocks-NOT.jpg

  • Grrr

    Mikkel-

    My my my... tried Prozac lately? I would recommend shutting your eyes, stepping one big foot back from your computer, taking ten deep, relaxing, breaths, and stabbing yourself in the neck with that stick thats firmly crammed up your A?!.

    Seriously though. I will concede that there are a few areas where Windows seems to be ahead of linux- for example power management and out-of-the-box hardware support, but it is a very uninformed and arrogant assertion you have made. Linux has many advantages over Windows- security and stability to name just two, err... minor ones. Also, this jumbled mess of distributions you are seeing is what some call the freedom of choice. Also.. oh screw it- who wants to convince you anyways. We're probably (certainly!) better off without you. Enjoy your BSOD point-and-click DRM'ed talking paperclip he!! you seem to love so much.

  • Troll

    LOL @ Mikkel. Nice trolling, man.

  • linux rocks

    @Mikkel

    Some things windows does better, even XP. Some things linux does better. Personally, I prefer the Free of Linux. It scales better, without licensing hassle. This is particular important with virtual machines, or clusters. Even if Windows is slightly faster, the $200 or whatever the licensing fee is, will buy a huge jump in hardware, CPU, memory, disk, etc.

    Windows excels in the land of proprietary. Flash, Windows Media, video drivers, etc. However, do you really want to hookup a Windows box unfirewalled to the internet? I have no such anxiety with my linux box, as I can easily secure it. And by extension, I prefer to do online banking, and other similar things via an inherently more secure and predictable operating system.

  • Your dream is gone Linus - Deal with it

    Linus, you had a nice idea, a dream even. However it wasn't supposed to be. Look at what Linux has become, an endless jungle of distros, breakaways and endless crap to deal with these days. Just look at the pop-posterboy Ubuntu. Seriously, Win7 runs FASTER AND SMOOTHER than a linux distro, who would have thought? Your smug attitude would have suited you about 10 years ago, now it's time to realize the big bad company is pounding your baby to dust because now Windows is faster, lighter, intuitive and EASY. I know elitist like you would probably want an OS to be complicated instead of easy but luckily your kind is a dying breed now.

    Either fez up and turn the sinking linux ship around or stfu.
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