Linux Ready for Prime Time, Intel Says

Despite all the hype about Linux and other open-source operating systems, the fact remains that Microsoft Corp. continues to dominate the desktop universe, with 90 percent or so of the world's personal computers powered by one version of Windows or another.

No one is predicting an end to Redmond's desktop dominance any time soon. But there are signs on the horizon that open-source systems could eventually claim a big chunk of the PC market. From today's news: Long-time Microsoft partner Intel Corp. is working to help Asian PC manufacturers install Linux on new machines rolling off the assembly lines.

The U.K. tech site The Inquirer stressed the significance of Intel's move: "While Intel has been a long time supporter of Linux in the server sector, it has largely maintained that it's not quite ready for the desktop. The provision of software drivers is interesting because in the past Intel has greatly assisted launches of Microsoft Windows by helping to provide large chunks of the OS. The choice to push the software into the distribution and dealer channel will also concern Microsoft." In other words, Intel -- one of the biggest players in technology -- has decided Linux is ready for the primetime desktop market.
• The Inquirer: Intel Aims For Microsoft's Linux Jugular

The Wall Street Journal reported more details: Intel "is offering free software, documentation and other resources to help distributors in those countries assemble and sell PCs with Linux, which is increasingly in demand in government, education and business there. The Intel Quick Start Kit for Linux, as it is called, has features to help distributors install Linux and software that works with it, including programs called drivers that are needed to work with accessory components, such as printers, Intel said."

The Journal noted that Intel is no stranger to Linux: The company "has long encouraged the use of Linux, in part because it runs on Intel microprocessor chips and spurs demand for them. That strategy, which has in the past mainly focused on hardware such as servers, cell phones and TV set-top boxes, illustrates the ways Intel sometimes diverges from working with partner Microsoft Corp. and its Windows operating system." CNET's News.com said "The chipmaker warmed up to desktop PC makers when partners in the Asian countries started requesting more help with desktop Linux, company spokesman Scott McLaughlin said." Intel "will open four Linux development centers to help software companies build PC applications for Linux computers," CNET said; the centers will be located in Beijing, India and Brazil.
• The Wall Street Journal: Intel Pushes Use of Linux On PCs In China, India (Subscription required)
• CNET's News.com: Intel More Active In Desktop Linux

Linux is winning more popularity contests as of late with government and research groups, Bloomberg reported, "because it is seen as cheaper and sometimes less prone to attack by computer viruses. The Linux operating system and other programs that run on it may be downloaded for free, cutting computer costs in countries with growing PC markets. Intel processors, which cost up to $999 each, power more than 80 percent of the world's personal computers. Almost 95 percent of PCs run on versions of Microsoft's operating systems. Intel spokesman Robert Manetta said his company began to provide the software tools 'to meet demand.' The tools are being given to companies that make unbranded PCs, he said." As for Intel's new kit, the Wall Street Journal said, "None of the individual elements in the kit are particularly novel, but Intel hopes the combination should make it easier for PC assemblers who aren't technically sophisticated to use Linux."
• Bloomberg via The Seattle Times: Intel Helping Clients In Asia To Use Linux

Redmond Fights Back

Microsoft has already gone on the offensive to thwart the open-source challenge. Bloomberg explained: "To attract users in Asia, Microsoft said in September that it would sell a cheaper version of Windows. The software, known as Windows XP Starter Edition, will start selling in India by early next year," the news service said. "Last Thursday in a speech in Singapore, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer warned Asian governments that they could face patent lawsuits for using the Linux operating system instead of its Windows software, noting that Linux violates more than 228 patents, according to a recent report from a research group." (Parts of Ballmer's speech can be read here).

One federal agency's move to open source back home in the states offers a glimpse at how Microsoft is trying to undercut Linux. Federal Computer Week recently report on the U.S. Marshall Service's use of Linux to power some of its systems: "Traditional commercial alternatives would have cost $50,000 per processor in software licenses, and 'that would have been cost-prohibitive,' John Campbell, IT specialist at the service," told FCW. But the article goes on to stress the concerns of proprietary software makers: "If all of this sounds too good to be true, it just may be, say officials at a handful of technology research organizations and commercial software vendors. Open-source skeptics argue that upfront licensing fees are only a small piece of the total cost of ownership that accrues during any software's lifetime, which can span three to five years or more," FCW reported.

Enter Microsoft. "With open source, who's going to support the hundreds of thousands of users?" Quazi Zaman, platform technology specialist manager for Microsoft's federal division, told FCW: "With commercial software, end users have direct vendor support, third-party systems integrators and help desks. Then there's the training piece. How am I going to reduce enterprise costs if I have to get thousands of people up-to-date in using open source?"
• Federal Computer Week: The Real Cost of Open Source

I'll Be Your Server...

In other Linux news, "quarterly sales of servers running the Linux operating system topped $1bn (£533m) for the first time during the third quarter of 2004," IDG News Service reported, citing IDC data. "With year-on-year revenue from Linux server sales up 42.6%, Linux accounted for more than 9% of the $11.5bn in servers sold worldwide during the quarter, which ended 30 September, the research firm said. The server market as a whole grew by 5.5% compared with last year's figures, an indication that IT spending is on the rise from the conservative levels that IDC has tracked over the last few years, said Vernon Turner, group vice-president and general manager of enterprise computing with IDC."
• IDG News Service: Linux Server Sales Top $1bn In Third Quarter