Sandeep,
Based on the investment that companies like Intel, et al make in the Linux community, as well as the revenue that companies like Red Hat derive from configuration, packaging, and support, flavors of Linux that are successful are typically not really free. Technophiles have free access to it and can participate in its growth, but before it makes a significant difference to the masses, it will be bundled, spit-polished, and integrated with products and a business model that, necessarily, creates revenue for its protagonists. The free underlying technology is simply being used to experiment with new, business models that can be layered above. Over time, I believe the difference between Linux and other operating systems, aside from availability of applications and technical differentiation, will be who derives the margin from products that include it in exchange for the traditional investments, such as bundled product R&D, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and support.
Mike |
