Reuters/Yahoo!: Hewlett-Packard takes middle path in Linux world

This article examines Hewlett-Packard's dealings with Linux and compares it to IBM's $1 billion worth of enthusiasm, quoting a Gartner analyst who says that though HP was probably late to the game it may have the better strategy when compared to IBM's "over aggressive" approach.

"Hewlett, though, will work with Microsoft on Windows and collaborate with IBM on free-wheeling Linux, Bruce Perens, Hewlett-Packard's new T-shirt-and-jeans-wearing senior global strategist for Linux and open source, said in an interview.

``They've got a shotgun,'' he said of IBM. He also said, suggesting that Hewlett-Packard would be a more selective shot: ``We've got a rifle.''

Linux is not likely to be a major factor for Hewlett anytime soon, but that was fine, said Tom Bittman, an analyst at Gartner Inc.

``I think H-P has a more pragmatic strategy for Linux although maybe they are a little bit late to the game ... So while Linux is a relatively small market, H-P has decided to take a relatively small position in that small market, as opposed to IBM, who is being over aggressive,'' he said."

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