You are right, that Linux and Windows have overlapping hardware compatibility, but that both Operating Systems support hardware that the other part doesn't support. You are also right, that there are applications for each OS, that the other part doesn't have.
The point is, that Linux is getting better and better at solving the tasks that people need to get solved, which increases its market potential on the desktop. It doesn't have as big a commercial software market, but instead it has lower TCO, higher stability, better uptime, easier to upgrade and more secure.
In order to get a Windows desktop with the same apps that a Red Hat Linux 7.2 includes, you need to pay at least $3000 in software alone, if you prefer Microsoft products, for each desktop. The same happens on the Mac.
Most people I talk to, argue that Windows software is easy to get - but either they forget that their department pays for it, or they forget to pay for it.
My guess is, that in two years time, the amount of software included in Red Hat Linux compares to more than $6000 on the Windows market. And it will still be free.
Lars. |
