“When it comes to talking about Linux, IBM isn’t pulling any
punches. During last week’s PC Expo, Big Blue stated exactly where
it expects Linux to play…”
“Even as IBM promises to support every major version of Linux,
the vendor downplays the possibility of Linux becoming a true
alternative to Windows. ‘We don’t see it as a big client play,’
concedes IBM software GM Steve Mills. ‘[Linux] does not have the
usability features or the graphical-user characteristics of a
desktop operating system.’
IBM’s Linux partners appear to agree. ‘Clearly, all of Linux’s
strengths are on the server,’ says William Leake, VP of sales and
marketing at Journyz, a developer of Web-based time-tracking
software. ‘Winning the desktop isn’t a top priority, since many
applications will be moving to the server.’ “