“Admitting that too few people are willing to pay for an
alternative to Windows operating systems, Be Inc. has decided to
offer its software for free–again.”
“This time, the BeOS will be available for free to any
individual users who register with the company, starting with the
next version of the software, due out later this quarter. The move
portends a continued shift away from the desktop software market
and towards the information appliance market–an arena where Be
faces more competitors, albeit less entrenched ones than
Microsoft….”
“Perhaps Be is hoping to follow in the footsteps of
companies riding the coattails of the surge of interest in
Linux, another free operating system. Some Linux companies
have been raking in the cash lately, going public with billion
dollar valuations and negligible earnings.”