Leery of Linux

Would you use Linux for your machine control OS? Read what responders wrote in the Control Design Web Poll.
Dec. 1, 2004
2 min read
Would you use Linux for your machine control OS?
-- 42% of respondants said they would try it if it was well-supported by automation software suppliers.-- 28% of respondants said no, they would not use Linux.|-- 14% of respondants said they would use Linux only for non-real-time applications.-- 8% of respondants said they already use Linux for real-time control.-- 4% of respondants said the giant automation suppliers are conspiring to keep it under their hats.-- 3% of respondants said they already use Linux for their machine control OS, but they don&rsquot like being stared at, so they're not telling anyone.Readers&rsquo Comments:

-- &ldquoWhy would you when there&rsquos so much development springing off Windows products. Like IBM, nobody ever gets fired for using Microsoft products. You propeller heads can keep it.&rdquo

-- &ldquoLinux? Get a life. Causing us to make our control system compatible with it because some anti-Microsoft junkie has to be different and make the world more difficult.&rdquo

-- &ldquoWhy are we stuck with Windows? I have nothing but trouble with it.&rdquo

-- &ldquoI&rsquod try it, but ‘well-supported&rsquo does not mean I want to pay [high] prices. Linux would still need to remain the open and low-cost solution it is today, otherwise it&rsquos not an alternative, it&rsquos just another also-ran.&rdquo

-- &ldquoI would rather have Linux than Microsoft Windows as my control OS.&rdquo

Take the new Control Design Web Poll:What's the biggest customer influence on machine control design?-- Easier reconfiguration-- Faster commissioning-- Network connectivity-- Improved diagnostics and troubleshooting-- Simpler operator interface-- Guaranteed performanceYou can find the Control Design Web Poll on the left hand side of this page.
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