TechWeb: Microsoft Challenges Linux On The Bottom-Line

"Instead of arguing that Windows is better than Linux, Microsoft has begun trying to show that open-source software is more expensive to support and maintain. Ironically, Microsoft hopes to beat back a basically free open-source operating system by showing that Windows has a lower total cost of ownership.

"A recent Microsoft-commissioned study performed by IDC found that to be the case. And there seems to be some support for the notion: Open-source advocate Bruce Perens, for one, notes that the study points out legitimate issues with Linux.

"But making Windows' case based on business value instead of technology leadership is a big change of strategy. It may be working: The latest predictions point to a slowdown for Linux in 2003, while Windows server sales will increase. And we're all still waiting for the Linux desktop..."

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