More on Linux inroads, this time from a non-technical, business oriented source that, none the less, makes some pretty strong statements in favor of OSS (Open Source Software) [CIO Magazine].

[CIO's who don't start using open source] will be paying for support that others will be getting gratis. They will be paying for hardware that's overpriced because it uses an arcane proprietary operating system. They will be paying for bows and ribbon—for packaging—when what's inside the competing packages is essentially the same.

It seems 2004 is going to be the year of OSS. War, economy, dotbomb, anti-trust and more are all combining to lift OSS up and make it successful. 1:39:22 PM    comment []  

Linux has been slowly chipping away at Microsoft's server market share for a while and, more recently, it has started to make inroads in the desktop arena as well. A recent Evans Data Corporation survey suggests that Linux may be on the verge of overtaking Windows within the developer community [LinuxWorld].

This year, Windows commands attention of 50 percent of the developers. Roughly 40 percent focus primarily on Linux. These priorities will switch places almost number-for-number next year. Actually, more than 50 percent plan to focus primarily on Linux and less than 40 percent on Windows, so the switch favors Linux. But because the differences are within the margin of error, it is essentially a symmetrical reversal of fortune where Linux will take priority over Windows starting next year.

This is great news, but not entirely unexpected. The real question in my mind is how well Linux will be able to penetrate the non-developer market segment. However, as the number of developers developing for Linux increases, I think we can expect a proportional increase in the quality of Linux desktop software. If that trend continues, it will only be a matter of time before Linux not only catches up to Windows on the desktop, but far surpases it in not only functionality but quality and market share as well. 11:58:57 AM    comment []