“Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer managed to praise Linux, slap Unix
hardware vendors, and champion the PC all in the same sentence
Tuesday, stating that Linux is ‘the first version of Unix ever
available on the right hardware platform.’ “
“Microsoft takes two positions on the subject, Ballmer said:
‘The open source development model has its limitations, and the
enthusiasm around Linux cannot be ignored.’ With time too short to
go into detail, Ballmer cited ‘applications integration and
scalability’ as major limitations.”
“Without elaboration, Ballmer said Microsoft sees Linux as a
serious competitor. ‘We’ll meet in the marketplace,’ he said. ‘And
that will be a better thing for both us and for the Linux
community.’ “