Information Systems Describe Some Reasons Why Linux

Information Systems

Describe some reasons why Linux is installed on only a very small fraction of desktop computers. Are there particular categories of products or users who might see Linux as more appealing than conventional operating systems? Do you think Linux's share of the desktop market will increase? Why or why not?

Linux is less prevalent on server systems than desktops, as the latter type of systems have been the primary focus of much of the innovation with open source software. Desktop systems are lagging server adoption of open source due to the entrenched mature of competition from Microsoft and their Windows operating system, lack of consistent approach to defining office automation applications that can challenge the 80%+ market share of Microsoft Office, and the proliferation of 3rd party applications on the Microsoft operating systems in this market (West, Dedrick, 2006). Linux is far more dominant on servers, where open source has become a de facto standard for web services and advanced programming tasks (Orr, 2008). The pace of innovation on Linux server platforms continues to accelerate while desktop PCs and their operating systems are being cannibalized by tablets running the Apple iOS and Google Android operating system. This competitive dynamic is accelerating the pace of consolidation of desktop operating system as well, which makes Linux developers concentrate more on servers as a more viable, potentially profitable market.

Typically programmers and technical professionals are the primary users of Linux on desktop systems (West, Dedrick, 2006). Members of technical professions see significant value in Linux as an operating system that can tailor to their specific needs and requirements. This is however a very small proportion of percentage of the total PC customer base, which is another factor that limits Linux acceptance and use as a desktop operating system.

As a result of all these factors, it is unlikely Linux will become a significant proportion of the desktop operating system market globally. Desktop PCs are under price pressure from tablets including the iPad and the desktop operating system market and applications area is also consolidating.

2) What are some of the benefits of cloud computing? What are some of the drawbacks? Find an article about cloud computing online. Summarize and critique the article in your own words. Be sure to include the url of the article.

The benefits of cloud computing include the ability to better align Information Technologies (IT) to business strategies, greater flexibility in aligning software features and design to user needs, often more rapid delivery timeframes, and flexibility in financing how the software is paid for using operating expenses (OPEX). These benefits are together changing the economics of enterprise software. The drawbacks of cloud computing is the risk of data being stolen or corrupted, lack of control over the data once it is on a remote server, and cost increases that can often occur for incremental services. In the article CIOs On Cloud Computing Adoption: Conquer Complexity And Help Us Grow by Louis Columbus, Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/louiscolumbus/2013/07/01/cios-on-cloud-adoption-conquer-complexity-and-help-us-grow / the author summarizes a recent study from NTT Europe, illustrating how Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are using cloud computing to accelerate their business strategies, while also uniting their IT and strategic initiatives in their companies. The article does an excellent job of summarizing the study and points out how the lessons learned at NTT Europe are applicable to all CIOs in companies attempting to get the most out of cloud computing today. The study and its interpretation also illustrate how critical it is to plan cloud computing strategies to co-exist with legacy systems as well. Where the NTT Europe study and article fail to define the future of cloud computing however is in how the economics of operating expenses (OPEX) versus capital expense (CAPEX) are changing the nature of spending in this area. The study and Forbes article don't mention speed of customization as well, with is another key strength of cloud computing as well.

3) Describe the impact that your chosen information system has on your organization. Be sure to consider both the positive and negative impacts. Over-dependence on an information system can be a negative impact, so also discuss whether your organization has any contingency plans for business continuity during system outages.(I'm using USAA ONLINE BANKING)