"Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system will remain
the dominant client operating environment for the foreseeable
future, and only the open-source Linux operating system stands in
the way of Windows also dominating the server side, according to
market analyst International Data Corp. (IDC).
Windows domination of the client operating environment will be a
major contributor to Microsoft's revenue growth over the next few
years as Windows XP builds on the success of Windows 9X and Windows
2000 Professional, IDC said.
On the server side, IDC said Microsoft won 41 percent of new
licenses in 2000, compared to Linux with 27 percent, other Unix
variants with 13.9 percent and Novell Inc.'s Netware with 13.8
percent. Windows 2000 and Windows .Net server will help Microsoft
extend its lead in the future, but the company will not gain more
than 50 percent of the server operating system market by licenses
or revenues, IDC said."
