Thanks to dmitchell for this link.
“In what amounts to a case of “The Empire Strikes Back,” the
software giant in recent weeks has deployed a team of engineers and
marketers to keep tabs on Linux, the fast-growing, free operating
system that is making waves in the computer world. The group in
Redmond, Wash., is small — fewer than 10 members — but it has an
important mission: to counter a cultish software movement that has
evolved from a mere annoyance to a real threat. Microsoft’s team is
already moving to convince potential corporate users that Linux is
not ready for prime time.”
“The Linux effort mirrors Microsoft’s response to other
marketplace threats, such as Sun Microsystems Inc.’s Java
programming language. While pointing out potential problems with
Linux, the group continues to bone up on the software in an effort
to understand its appeal.”