I Wonder: Who is Scared of Linux?

by David Heath

Thursday, 27 November 2008

In short, IBM isn’t scared of Linux, neither is Novell. Oddly, neither is Microsoft, after-all, they actually sell it.

I have written previously about the relationship between Microsoft, Novell and Linux – the story has it that Microsoft has signed on for another round. After-all, what chance is there of selling a high-priced operating system into a low-price economy, especially when there are low-priced (or free) alternatives.

Other ITWire authors have written about the advantages of Linux. It’s hardly my role to extol said Operating System. However, there is an opposite view – lets not consider who supports it, but look at who is mortally afraid.

The short answer is no-one. But the answer really isn’t short – and this lack of shortness is what muddies the waters.

The long answer is Microsoft, but what it is they’re afraid of isn’t Linux.

What they’re afraid of is Linux + Novell (kinda solved that one), Linux + Oracle, Linux + Hewlett Packard, :Linux + Dell and the biggie, Linux + IBM.

Let’s just say that IBM has a VERY long memory when it comes to PC Operating Systems (c’mon readers – do your research here!) – there’s nothing they’d like better than to see MS get some come-uppance.

Did you notice some commonality in the list? NONE of the things they’re afraid of are Linux alone, but EVERY one of them included Linux.

When the big consultants stop recommending Microsoft products, Microsoft is in deep trouble. Free isn’t the issue, in fact price never was the issue.

Microsoft can only rely on confidence to sustain its business model. And confidence is a very tenuous concept. Just ask your local bank.

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