Randall Shimizu wrote:
I am going to clarify to try and avoid offending anyone:
One needs to differentiate between a threat vs challenge to Windows
desktop market. At this point Linux poses a challenge to Vista/XP
market share. We all would like to see the Linux desktop pose a
threat to Vista/XP, but Linux still has some challenges such as help
and ease of installation issues to address.
Linux presents no threat to the *consumer* desktop space.
However, it does present a threat in the mid-size business with IT
department space. Microsoft makes bucketloads of money from upgrading
those people each year. Probably much more than in the consumer space.
A consumer buys Microsoft once and never upgrades. Ever. The upgrade
only occurs when the computer breaks, and a new one gets bought.
Mid-size businesses, however, are a revenue *stream*. They sit on a
predictable upgrade cycle. Vista breaks the predictable cycle because
the businesses need to upgrade 90+% of their machines to run Vista.
They are not going to upgrade every machine in the company when the
current systems works *fine*, TYVM.
Therefore, they are going to use Linux as a lever to threaten
Microsoft--irrespective of whether they are willing to change or not.
So, how can Microsoft tell if they're bluffing? They can't. Therefore,
Microsoft needs to neutralize those threats.
Patent litigation is the answer. Microsoft will threaten with patent
litigation more expensive than just buying licenses.
This will push the bluffers back into proper Microsoft lockstep. Those
not bluffing may think twice. The tiny minority will call the bluff and
change. Microsoft will not bother to sue for fear of overturning the FUD.
This isn't about "beating Linux". People need to quit thinking that
way. This is about money extraction from mid-size companies.
-a
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