“For months Microsoft Corp. executives have watched as Linux, a
computer program developed by a loosely knit network of volunteers,
has gained momentum as the latest rival to the market dominance of
Windows.”
“Not only is Linux growing far more quickly than Microsoft’s
heavily promoted Windows NT system, but the success of the program
first published by a Finnish student has raised new questions about
how best to develop complex software.”
“Now Microsoft executives have acknowledged for the first time
that maybe there is something to be said for the grass-roots
techno-democracy of Finland’s Linus Torvalds and his legions of
supporters, who have taken the computer world by storm by making
Linux available free of charge.”