“Microsoft faced an unexpectedly tough opponent in 1998 in the
form of the U.S. Department of Justice, but in 1999 the software
giant is likely to contend with an even more potent force: the
free-software movement, also known as ‘open source.'”
“A growing number of industry leaders, including IBM, Sun
Microsystems() and Netscape Communications are embracing the
radical notion that giving away software, including the source code
(the underlying instructions that the software is based on), while
making money on service and support, is not only good business and
good for the technology community, but may also be the best check
on Microsoft’s growing power.”
“For that reason, the open-source movement will be one of the
key high-tech stories to watch in 1999.”