The Standard: Open Minds [in Linux Companies]

“The astounding stock market success of Linux companies
poses big risks as they take aim at Microsoft.”

“As much as the open-source fanatics argue to the contrary, the
astonishing IPO success of Red Hat and VA Linux is forcing Linux
companies to behave more like the entrenched entities they hope to
supplant. Executives at Linux companies have to think quarter to
quarter, just like the competition. They face the delicate task of
balancing the conflicting desires of the developers building their
products and the fund managers whose confidence has created such
high valuations.”

“To succeed, they need to make Linux a mainstream OS, with
usability enhancements that make everyday work on Linux for the
nonprogrammer as straightforward (but, one hopes, not as
frustrating) as it is on Windows. And aiming for the mainstream
pits them against formidable competitors.”

“Firms betting their future on open source need to be receptive
to new ideas, not merely those that protect their current, tiny
base. In the Net economy, like it or not, good will goes out the
window when market share is at stake.”

Complete
Story