"Last week we took a look at proprietary software and how its
integration might affect the Linux desktop. Is it good, bad, or
somewhere in between?
"There are several reasons why proprietary software might be
useful to the Linux desktop. People are used to the way it works,
it could support proprietary data formats better, it might simply
work better.
"Why is this an issue? Because if we want users to make the move
to free software like the Linux desktop, then we should try and
make it as easy as possible.
"Linux is gaining in popularity every day. So is solid, open
software it strength, or the ability to integrate into the existing
Windows monopoly? Perhaps it’s a bit of both."