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Technology Stocks : All About Sun Microsystems -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mephisto who wrote (11593)	11/7/1998 10:08:00 AM
From: dmf	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 64865

Linux Capabilities from MSFT thread: Seems some are using Linux for more than home PC: Message 6327786 Keep an eye out. You will see other references. Still enjoying SUNW and the recent action. Future of SUNW looks mighty bright.....No sign of setting in sight! Enjoy. dmf

To: Mephisto who wrote (11593)	11/7/1998 12:55:00 PM
From: QwikSand	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 64865

Linux is gaining much wider commercial acceptance pretty quickly, and it's no longer accurate to say it's mostly used on home PC's. Nobody keeps these numbers officially, but I have seen a few estimates (that I unfortunately don't remember the links to). It's true that Linux' primary appeal is still to people who want to look at operating system source if necessary. While a good percentage of Linux' estimated installed base of 7 million seats worldwide is probably "hacker" types, it includes a large and growing number of small businesses, particularly small ISV's. The powerful, reliable and cheap combination of Linux and Apache already powers many of the servers that send you your web pages. However, Linux is gathering momentum as a desktop business system in larger companies with the Unix expertise to support it. I believe Linux could become a serious competitor to Microsoft. The Ziff-Davis-and-friends computer press, who are so deep in Wintel's pocket that they can't even see daylight, laugh off this idea of course. But the fact is: Linux is more stable, more capable, and free. Once it's installed, your TCO is less than with Windows because you don't get daily crashes, and much of the software is either free or cheaper than its Windows equivalent. The number of general applications, which is the real issue for any operating system, is growing quickly (viz. StarOffice). The number of device drivers, while nowhere near Microsoft's league yet, is also growing quickly. Wait a year, and then see whether Linux is still written off as a hobby system even by the Microsoft-sponsored press. You might be very surprised. All it will take is a couple of cracks in the dam, a couple of computer OEM's who start doing a volume business in pre-loaded Linux. Regards, --QwikSand