"The company is fighting back hard with Windows 7. The new
operating system, due for release later this year, could spell the
end for Linux on the desktop -- before the free system, developed
by enthusiast programmers around the world, has had a chance to
establish a meaningful place for itself.
"The problems for desktop Linux go beyond Windows 7, though.
Ubuntu, the most popular version of Linux -- its development is
funded by SA-born billionaire Mark Shuttleworth -- is looking
increasingly dated.
"Next to Windows 7 and Apple's Mac OS X, Ubuntu and other
Linuxes are looking old fashioned. Other than some nifty 3D
effects, Ubuntu has not had a significant refresh of its graphical
user interface since it was launched more than four years ago."
