This is not exactly a technical question but CNET recently published
the following article on its website
http://home.cnet.com/specialreports/0-6014-7-1508253.html?st.sr.6014-7-15082
50.txt.6014-7-1508253:
*****start******
CNET : Special Reports : Ten Tech Predictions for 2000
8. Linux Is All Hype
The Prediction: Linux will get mountains of press, including articles in
venerable mainstream newspapers hailing the new era of open source. But
virtually no consumers will use it.
The Challenges
We know what you're thinking: We must be crazy. Linux is the
up-and-coming thing.
Everybody wants to see Windows taken down a peg or three. VA Linux System's
IPO set a new record for the biggest gain in the first day of trading.
Linux-based
companies are springing up like dandelions in the front yard and getting
more press
than the DOJ vs. Microsoft antitrust case. Linux is the future.
Well, we've seen the future, and it was in the past. It was called OS/2.
Minus all the
IPO action--it wasn't in vogue at the time--much of the same things were
said and
hoped for about IBM's alternative operating system. New applications were
developed, clubs and user support groups grew. Everyone was abuzz about
the new
OS that would topple Windows and free us all from the tyranny of Microsoft.
The Outcome
What happened then is what we predict will happen now: inertia, although
not quite
as Sir Isaac defined it. Windows is a cash cow for the major application
developers.
They can pick up extra revenue by diverting some resources to Linux,
but, for Linux
to become successful, application developers need to focus all their
attention on the
OS. That's something that should prove too risky for their shareholders,
most of
whom still haven't figured out if it's pronounced Lihn-icks or Line-ucks.
****end****
I would not go so far as to say that this is part of the Microsoft
conspiracy but short of
trying to be fortune-tellers, could the Gurus amongst us shed some light on
the issue?
Is this a valid argument or just noise from the opposition?
I have been on this list for about a year so please don't try and shoot me
as traitor
and spy.
Shaggy
