The Pulse of the web is a collection of the weeks must read headlines for web geeks. Each headline is coupled with a bit of background information that lets you know why you should care. Over the last few weeks here is the list:

$200 Linix Based PCs Sell Out at Wall-Mart

by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Q. Why is this important?
A. Wall-Mart initially ordered about 10K units. They have only been selling them for a few weeks and they are already sold out. This points to strong demand for affordable alternatives to the Windows based platform. The computers do most everything an entry level user would need. And, with the installation of Open Office or the IBM Lotus Symphony version of open office users are able to effectively do everything from word processing, to accessing the web, to creating spreadsheets, and even developing databases. It is a clear signal that people are increasingly comfortable with free, open source software as an alternative to more expensive alternatives.

Mac OSX Out-Sells Windows in Japan

Q. Why is this important?
A. Japan has long since been considered the trend setter. Over the years the windows opperating system has been plagued with security holes and many experts have questioned if this coupled with the iPod “halo effect” would lead to increased demand for the Macintosh opperating system over Windows. This quote speaks loads to how the trend is unfolding:

… while sales of Mac OS X increased dramatically between September and October, climbing from a rate of 15.5 percent year-over-year to 60.5 percent, Microsoft suffered from the reverse effect. Sales growth of Windows plummeted from 75.3 percent to 28.7 percent. The sudden switch provided Apple with about 53.9 of the total OS-only marketshare in Japan during October — a breakthrough for the company, BCN says.

Build a Hackintosh Mac for $800

Q. Why is this important?
A. There is a theory running around the web that users will find a way to get what they want and the companies of the Web 3.0 movement (yes this is past web 2.0) will be those that best enable open source and community development. This is beyond simple web 2.0 user generation of content in that it takes companies pushing complete open development. At the moment Apple has slowly began earning a reputation for not being as open as it could be. As mashups and peer to peer sites become more prevalent there is a debate around cost related to maintaining closed source systems, licensing, and other things like DRM (digital rights management). This article is simply another bit of proof that no matter who you are you can’t completely control what happens to your software. People hack it, mash it, and will do with it what they want in the end.

Rumors of Windows Building a Flickr Compeditor

by Thomas Hawk

Q. Why is this important?
A. With the launch of Windows Live it is clear that something is going on over there at Microsoft. They have consistently been behind the curve on the whole Web 2.0 thing and have recently been beginning to gain just a bit of momentum. Everyone knows they have Google in their sites, and they have just inked a deal with Facebook. Flickr is not a Microsoft ally and it would be a good thing from a competitive standpoint for the company to come up with an answer to the property.

Google Android OS Now Available | An Open Source Operating System for Mobile Phones

Q. Why is this important?
A. Well, it’s a stab at competing with Windows Mobile and the iPhone OS along with others. But once again, it is open source so development is happening all over the place and given it’s nature it may lead to reduced costs.

Ubuntu Home Server, possible competition for Windows Home Server?

Q. Why is this important?
A. Most people will say this is not going to be any real competition to Windows Home Server, but for those purchasing a Linix system at Wall-Mart, congratulations you have a solution to your home server needs

Honestly, it is important. It shows that there are other solutions and there is even an emerging demand. Microsoft, I’m sure, knows better than to act like this is not something on the horizon. Only time will tell what happens to it.

Google’s Acquisition of DoubleClick Rejected by EC

Q. Why is this important?
A. Internet advertising hangs in the balance. We all know there are not many large alternatives to Google Adwords and Double Click, for a long while was a good one.