LinuxPlanet: Can Linux Help Both Haves and Havenots?

"How does Linux help IT companies make money, while at the same facilitating computer access among the world's 'havenots'? In a special session at the CeBIT America, sponsored by the Business Council for the United Nations, representatives from IBM, Red Hat, Oracle and other organizations explored some manifestations of the paradoxical role played by Linux in today's global economy.

"'We're in this for the money,' said IBM's Sam Docknevich, echoing an admission frequently made by others during the roundtable discussion.

"According to Docknevich, who is IBM's Linux and grid services executive, Americas, the profit motive serves the best explanation for why IBM has established Linux centers for customers worldwide, and has invested heavily in two leading Linux distributors, Red Hat and Novell/SuSE Linux. '(But) we've invested in both of them because we believe in choice and freedom,' Docknevich added..."

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