“In the minds of many industry analysts, Linux has been growing
up in the glare of the spotlight over the past couple of years. If
that observation is true, then the recent LinuxMall.com merger
agreement with the publicly traded EBIZ Enterprises, Inc. (OTC BB:
EBIZ) could set a trend for rites of passage as the open-source
platform reaches maturity.”
“Despite support for Linux generally from the biggest of the big
in the high-tech industry, the deal also highlights the struggle by
companies to figure out a free software-based business model that
works.”
“The merger is being called an attempt by LinuxMall.com to beat
what amounts to an IPO curse in the volatile Nasdaq market. The
high profile IPO withdrawal of Linuxcare and the severe
cost-cutting measures by IPO hopeful TurboLinux have emphasized the
fact that the honeymoon between Wall Street and Linux is over. As
LinuxMall.com CEO David Shaw rethought his company’s planned
initial public offering, Jeffrey Rassas and EBIZ were looking to
move their OTC stock to Nasdaq. A mutual business interest at Chase
Hambrecht & Quist introduced the two, and a successful
courtship immediately followed.”