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To: Road Walker who wrote (98096)	2/2/2000 6:31:00 PM
From: Gerald Walls	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 186894

As time goes by I'm not so sure this isn't a real software challenge to Microsoft. The model of open code and software developers essentially working for free, for companies that sell final packaged products, seems like it could bring products to market much faster than Microslow (er, soft). When you start seeing popular programs like Quicken for Linux then it might gather real momentum in the retail desktop market. As it is know, IMHO, it's only a threat in the (not inconsequential) server market.

To: Road Walker who wrote (98096)	2/2/2000 6:40:00 PM
From: Paul Engel	Respond to of 186894

John - Re: "What do you think, Paul, is it worth looking into the Red Hats?" It sure is - because there are always winners and losers in these markets - and picking a winner is a good thing. One way or another, one or more of these companies is going to make money - even if they become the "next Microsoft" (!!!). Will it be Red Hat ? I don't know. Paul

To: Road Walker who wrote (98096)	2/7/2000 8:06:00 AM
From: Amy J	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 186894

Hi John, RE: "The model of open code and software developers essentially working for free, for companies that sell final packaged products, seems like it could bring products to market much faster" Open code is faster to deploy (from the perspective of a core package, not necessarily from the perspective of a high-volume total solution - the speed of the later depends upon several factors). Off the top of my head... a small example: you can offload sys driver development and compatibility issues of brand X hardware or software, to the world. Many time intensive quality issues are owned & offloaded onto the development world as a whole, not the responsibility (and headache in cost & time) of one software house. Makes deployment fast (no holding a release back to get support for xyz hardware or software, can just ship it, someone else's responsibility, and [I am not advocating the following:] if someone complains, just say, "hey, this is open code, get with the program and go find yourself a fix elsewhere."). It does seem to put more of a burden on the IT guy/gal re: compatibility, but a lot of IT guys/gals like control of their own destiny, if they are a truly independent sort, which many high-tech folks are. Possible hidden labor costs. Possible issues with total solution, and quality (in the case of high-volume deployment of Total Solutions to a mix of folks who may not want to do it on their own), but excels at get-the-core-out-quickly. Amy J