Note: This column represents the opinions
of the writer and as such, is not purported as fact
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It has become pretty obvious that Linux is Bill Gates' worst nightmare and,
given the ruthless nature of the industry, there's probably not much that
Microsoft wouldn't do to wipe the penguin off the playing-field.
One of the reasons that Linux has ascended to glory, largely without the aid
of huge corporate coffers, is the dedicated band of enthusiasts who use
an almost religious zeal to spread the word.
This evangelism is about to strike Auckland this weekend when the
"Linux Installfest 2003" is held at the AUT.
Yes, if you've always wondered about Linux but didn't have the courage to
get all geeky and wade through the daunting process of installing a
completely foreign OS, then here's your chance to do it the easy way.
The Aardvark PC-Based Digital
Entertainment Centre Project
Yes, at last, this feature
has been updated again! (31 Mar 2003)
Those who bowl along to the AUT with PC in hand will be able
to walk away in a "Linux-enabled" state thanks to all those other Linux
fans.
However, recent events tend to cast a bit of a shadow on the future of
Linux...
It seems that, unable to outpace Linux on a purely technical or "total
cost of ownership" basis, Microsoft is engaging in some more devious
scare-tactics to protect its market share.
When the guys organising the Installfest tried to get a bunch of Linux
CDs duplicated, they tried to hire the services of local company
Software Images (SI).
Unfortunately, SI said they couldn't do the job because
of concerns over the SCO lawsuit that alleges copyright infringement
in parts of the Linux code.
It also turns out that SI is a "strategic partner" to Microsoft, not
just a supplier.
The NZ Herald reported on the story
earlier this week.
Now I've got no problem with SI declining to accept the Linux CD-pressing
job offered to them, but I can't help but wonder whether Microsoft
is working hard to try and convince its strategic partners and customers
that touching Linux could be risky from a legal perspective.
I have no doubt that the boys from Redmond are pulling out all the stops
to try and ankle-tap Linux to the ground.
It would make great sense for SCO and MS to get into bed over this matter --
especially given that Linux is the single largest threat to the fiscal
wellbeing of both companies. Who knows what funny handshakes are going
on between those two in the name of penguin extinction?
The SCO copyright law-suit has certainly sent a shockwave through the
Linux industry and there's some speculation that it has
killed UnitedLinux,
and has other vendors now running scared -- waiting to become the target
of similar suits.
As we all know, Microsoft has two uber-weapons when it comes to competing in,
and maintaining its dominance of, the PC software marketplace. No, I'm
not talking about its team of coders, nor its skilled and experienced
analysts.
I refer of course to its slick-willy marketing boys and its pool of sharks
(aka lawyers) -- some of which almost certainly have "fricken laser beams"
mounted on their heads by now.
Given the cost of developing good, functional, reliable, SECURE software,
I have no doubt that it would be a whole lot cheaper for Microsoft to
blow its challengers away through litigation rather than fair honest
competition in the marketplace.
So what does this mean to the future of Linux?
Will it become mired in a sea of subpoenas and sunk by a wave of legal
torpedoes launched out of Redmond by way of a clandestine relationship with SCO?
Linux has little to fear from Microsoft on a technical level,
but let's not forget: sharks eat penguins don't they?
I'm sure most readers will have an opinion on this so share your thoughts
in the forums!
If any Aardvark readers want to share opinion on today's column or
add something, you're invited to chip in and have your say in
The Aardvark Forums or, if you prefer,
you can contact me directly.
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