Question

I have run a Linux fileserver with Samba on my home network for over 12 years. I have mapped drives, user home directories, etc. I recently started using Windows 7 on a laptop, and I'm intrigued by the Libraries, especially through the use of a Homegroup, but apparently only Windows 7+ will support such a thing?

Meta questions about the main question.

Isn't this just another way for Microsoft to create lockin on their platform?

Do you think this feature be available in Samba soon?

Regardless of the above two questions, are Homegroups compelling enough to justify the cost of another Windows license?

(I hope this isn't too argumentative, I'm genuinely curious about thoughts on how this might pan out).

Answer 1

If its sufficiently popular in Windows, it'll find its way onto Linux eventually.

I'm honestly not sure how much of homegroups relies on SMB technical improvements, and how much is UI auto-magic. Either way, I don't think it'll be available soon by any definition but perhaps sooner if its mostly a UI thing.

Answer 2

It's really hard to say. There will be a lot of people telling you that it's just a ploy by Microsoft to lock people in, but I'm sure they're more focused on providing better functionality and convenience. What you need to ask yourself is this...do you need it? Do the features help you? If yes, it might be something to look in to - I don't know anything about the Samba development schedule, but I'm sure that if it's a popular feature going forward, it will be implemented to maintain compatibility.

Answer 3

Homegroups are there to simplify the process of sharing Files and to easily create a home network by automating the task. It's a feature, not a ploy, and you don't have to use it. It simply does what you would normally would do to share folders and connect machines in an easy dumb way for users who have no idea what a network is.

It is not a new specification, and I doubt that you would find a Linux or OSX equivalent. But that is an assumption not a fact.