"Over the last couple of years, the Linux server market has gone mainstream capturing as much as 24 percent of the market, according to IDC, but Linux desktop remains far behind with IDC estimating its market share at less than 3 percent.
"Linux has failed to take hold at the desktop level in the same numbers as its server counterparts for a variety of reasons including a dearth of applications and drivers, a lack of interoperability across distros, and inconsistent user interfaces.
"But with Microsoft's next generation version of Windows, code-named Longhorn, scheduled for release as much as 12-24 months away, does Linux have a window of opportunity to capture market share? The answer depends on who you ask, but even the most optimistic prognosticators don't see Linux desktop eating into Microsoft's domination of the desktop in any significant way..."
