CW360.com: Microsoft Quietly Plans to Target Linux Users with Cut-down .net Web Server

“Like Windows 2000, Windows .net, will appear in the Standard,
Enterprise and Datacenter Editions when the series is released
later this year, but the company also plans to release a cut-down
Web Server Edition to attack Linux in the open source operating
system’s principal market. Although this edition has been on the
cards for more than a year, Microsoft has not been trumpeting its
arrival.

“Tom Bittman, vice-president and research director at analyst
firm Gartner, said Microsoft is caught between stemming the Linux
flood and risking stifling sales of its current Windows products in
the light of this cheaper, if not free, product. ‘If Microsoft
markets the fact it will have it, it will be forced to spend a lot
of time explaining what it is and what it isn’t to avoid a
slow-down in sales– and all before the product is launched. Better
to keep it quiet,’ he said.

“The growing backing behind Linux represents a threat to
Windows, and Microsoft is starting to build up its guard.
‘Microsoft is very worried about Linux. In fact, it is perhaps more
worried than it needs to be,’ said Bittman…”

[Editor’s Note: Some browsers are reporting a registration
screen is needed to access this story. There is no registration
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to www.cw360.com and run a search for “linux” to view this story.
It has also been suggested to just hit “Enter” if you see a login
form; some users are reporting that the article will just come up
after that. I apologize for any inconvenience, as this link worked
for me in Netscape 6. -ed.]

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