The growing popularity of Linux and other so-called open source
software poses a direct threat to Microsoft’s revenue stream,
according to an internal Microsoft memo posted to the Internet
today.
The document was posted to the Web by Eric Raymond, a
independent programmer involved in developing open source software
for the last 20 years.
Besides posing a threat to Microsoft, Linux poses an even bigger
threat to Unix providers. “Linux is on track to eventually own the
x86 [Intel-compatible] Unix market and has been the only Unix
version to gain net server OS market share in recent years,” the
document states.