“Reader talkbacks were somewhat cynical in response to IBM
Chairman Lou Gerstner’s declaration that his company is investing
$1 billion in Linux.”
“Gerstner delivered his remarks during a keynote speech at the
eBusiness Expo today in New York. He said the company’s investment
was part of a “bet” that Linux could overtake Microsoft’s Windows
NT in 2004. In the speech, Gerstner said the open-source operating
system is growing at twice the rate of Windows NT. “Some estimate
it will become more prevalent than NT by 2004,” he said.”
“Readers were skeptical about whether IBM’s bet on Linux
will pay off. “IBM could invest $1 trillion in Linux, and it’s not
gonna overtake Windows NT by 2004. Or 2005. Or anytime. I’m
penguined out,” wrote reader Anonymous.”