I was actually trying to get some actual info on how much business MSFT has in development tools in its own backyard.
I don't think MSFT makes any kind of segment info available...
But that is the kind of business that INPR is going after.
Actually, BORL found out a long time ago they couldn't compete with MSFT, who was allowed for years to sell their products at below cost to drive out competition (an illegal trade practice which the DOJ conveniently overlooked until recently). I think, with the development of Delphi and later c++ Builder & JBuilder, BORL clearly was not competing with MSFT, as MSFT has yet to be competitive in the RAD area. You give me a project that takes a month with MSFT tools, and I can do it in half, maybe a quarter, maybe even less with BORL tools. Intelligent developers use BORL tools. Those who are using MSFT tools are doing because they're locked in, because of corporate politics, or worse, ignorance.
That business will belong to INPR, because they are the most recognizable name to developers switching to linux from Win.
Well, the Linux business will belong to INPR, and that's why INPR is such a buy right now. But it's not because of name recognition; rather, it is because INPR is assembling the only serious RAD toolkit for Linux, and there really isn't any sign of competition (particularly from MSFT) in sight.
Projecting $$$ in the Linux market right now would just be a waste. No one can possibly know what's going to happen with Linux over the coming few years. Will it take the server market? The Desktop? Will MSFT release Microsoft Linux in 2000? Who knows...
With all my confidence in INPR, it continues to be extremely speculative at this point, as are ALL the other Linux plays (RHAT, CORL, etc.). |
