“Even as Microsoft fights for its corporate life at its federal
antitrust trial, some say it’s switching into hyper-drive in a plan
to combat the threat of the Linux operating system…”
“…Bill Gates, during a recent interview with Business Week,
said that he viewed Linux as one Microsoft’s biggest threats. Since
April, Microsoft Vice President Brian Valentine said the company
was considering opening up its source code more widely to combat
Linux…”
“In addition, Microsoft is advertising a job opening for a
product manager to provide a “competitive analysis of Linux — both
for providing product planning for the development team and for
technical assistance to Microsoft’s sales force.” In fact, some
analysts speculate there is already a battle-trained Linux response
team within Microsoft, lead by Jim Ewel, director of
marketing.”