CNET News.com/Gartner: Commentary: Linux faces the law of capitalism

"Economic downturns separate the strong companies from the weak, and the Linux market will be no exception to this rule...."

"That is what has happened in the case of Linux, and Gartner has always advised companies to proceed cautiously in the face of the enormous hype. But Linux enthusiasm is not fading away entirely--although it's probably quickly approaching the "trough of disillusionment" in the Gartner Hype Cycle. Some reassessment of where Linux really fits into an enterprise's IT infrastructure was inevitable."

"The current level of activity suggests the opportunity for Linux has not yet peaked. Still, the route to success will become much more complicated (and expensive) for Linux distributors. Providing obvious added value will become critical and will probably involve an operating system/middleware software stack, not just operating system distribution."

Complete Story

Related Stories:

• CNET News.com: Only the strong survive in Linux landscape(Mar 13, 2001)
• ZDNet UK: How to succeed at selling free software(Mar 06, 2001)
• LinuxWorld: Profiting on Linux(Feb 22, 2001)
• Canada Computes: Linux - Business Unusual? Stormix Folding?(Feb 05, 2001)
• Motley Fool: 2000: Year in Review - The Losers(Dec 29, 2000)
• Salon: The year the hype died (Dec 26, 2000)
• Smart Partner: Linux Firms Sing The Big Blues; IBM good for Linux - maybe not for Linux companies(Dec 19, 2000)
• CBS Marketwatch: Linux stocks surge with IBM backing(Dec 13, 2000)
• LinuxPlanet: .comment: Making Money on Free Software?(Nov 29, 2000)
• Enterprise Linux Today: In Context: Linux to Reach Critical Mass in 2001?(Nov 29, 2000)
• TheStreet.com: Silver Lining for Linux Companies?(Nov 17, 2000)
• Ciol.com (India): Why Linux companies go broke?(Nov 12, 2000)
• In Context: Follow the Money; Cathedral Investments in the Bazaar(Oct 20, 2000)