Linux faces defeat from Microsoft on the desktop
Over at TechNewsWorld Rob Enderle suggests that Windows Vista could seriously impede Linux’s growth in the desktop market~contrary to Novell’s view~and believes that a more Unix-like platform from Microsoft could see Linux off completely.
While Vista is unlikely to displace massive amounts of in-place Linux platforms it should reduce Linux growth measurably (Linux should still be favored for most Unix migrations). Were Microsoft to come out with a platform that was more similar to Unix that also integrated with .NET and used enhanced Microsoft development tools this slowed growth could advance into competitive displacement. There is, however, no indication yet that Microsoft is planning such a platform. But the opportunity can’t be lost on many. A future offering could address this competitive Microsoft weakness.
