Windows XP Policy Dooming Linux Desktop? Not Really But Linux Desktop Shouldn't Worry MS Anyway
The Open Source Blog at ZDNet has a post on Microsoft's shifting policy in the face of growing adoption of Linux on the desktop. The post argues:
Microsoft’s revised Windows XP downgrade rights policy that quietly went into effect this summer, for example, is designed to kill two birds with one stone: jumpstart PC sales and prevent Linux desktop vendors from exploiting its Vista headaches.
Linux on the desktop is a short term concern for Microsoft. They must know by now that the desktop itself is becoming less important.
Even as the company’s strategies evolve to address what it considers to be more significant future threats by Web 2.0 services such as Google Apps, it is not be wise for Microsoft to dismiss the threat of Linux or any open source software on the PC desktop of today, particularly as the compatibility of OpenOffice with Microsoft Office improves and big names like Novell, Red Hat, IBM and several European governments apply more and more pressure to break its iron grip on the desktop PC.Thing is, I’m not so sure Microsoft should be worried at all.
Unless Dell and HP step up to the plate with real marketing efforts for desktop Linux, it’s doubtful that the open source desktop will gain any traction in corporations and in the mass market.
I dont' think what the OEMs do will matter in the long run. Microsoft shouldn't fight the old desktop wars, or even worry too much about the office suite competition now that so many are jumping on the OpenOffice bandwagon. The big threat to Redmond is online applications, if MS doesn't get that right they will lose relevance. Focus on usability and security online to win in that arena.
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