Why Microsoft is wary of open source?
By Joe Wilcox, Stephen Shankland Feedback@freeos.com> Posted: ( 2001-08-07 10:09:51 EST by ) Theres more to Microsofts recent attacks on the open-source movement than mere rhetoric: Linuxs popularity could hinder the software giant in its quest to gain control of a server market thats crucial to its long-term goals. Recent public statements by Microsoft executives have cast Linux and the open-source philosophy that underlies it as, at the minimum, bad for competition, and, at worst, a cancer to everything it touches. Behind the war of words, analysts say, is evidence that Microsoft is increasingly concerned about Linux and its growing popularity. The Unix-like operating system has clearly emerged as the spoiler that will prevent Microsoft from achieving a dominant position in the worldwide server operating-system market, IDC analyst Al Gillen concludes in a report. While Microsofts overall operating-system market leadership is by no means in jeopardy, Linuxs continued gains make it har
