Bloomberg: Microsoft's Ballmer Sees Free Software as Enemy No. 1

[ Thanks to Jesse Perez for this link. ]

"Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer has identified a roadblock to increased sales growth at the world's largest software maker: Linux and other programs available for free over the Internet.

"So-called 'open-source' programs threaten to undercut Ballmer's plan to sell more software for server computers. He'll have a hard time convincing corporate clients that their networks should be moved to the Windows operating system if customers have a cheaper option, investors said.

"'Linux has achieved the top billing in terms of their No. 1 enemy,' said Scott McAdams, chief executive of McAdams Wright Ragen, which manages about $1.7 billion and owns shares of Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft..."

Complete Story

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• TowerGroup: Linux Gaining Ground Fast in North American Securities Firms(Oct 11, 2002)
• US News & World Report: Attack of the Freebie Software(Oct 08, 2002)