"Microsoft Windows is the single most widely used
computer program in the world. Chances are, it's running right now
on your computer at home, in your office, at your kids' school, you
name it. Millions of people see the flying Windows logo every day,
as it waves across 90 percent of all computer screens on the
planet.
Windows and its related programs have become so dominant that,
as anyone who has ever heard of Bill Gates knows, the Justice
Department is fighting a protracted legal war to break Microsoft's
monopoly power. Over a year ago, Microsoft was ordered to split
into three different companies. Lately, Justice has threatened to
block the release of Windows XP, the latest version of the program,
until the courts have decided on a remedy for Microsoft's
misbehavior.
But considering how handily Microsoft lawyers have dealt with
the government in the past, that may not be Bill Gates' biggest
worry these days. Instead, he's probably looking over his shoulder
at a program that is equal to (if not better than) Windows, one
that's steadily eating away at Microsoft's market share, is
constantly being upgraded, and is completely free: Linux."
