CNET News.com: Linux to become greater threat to Microsoft, study says | Linux Today

CNET News.com: Linux to become greater threat to Microsoft, study says

Written By
Web Webster
Web Webster
Jul 24, 2000

“Linux will pose a significant threat to Microsoft for market
share among server operating systems over the next few years,
according to new research released today.”

That conclusion, drawn by market researcher International
Data Corp., is good news for Linux backers. The bad news? The
open-source operating system has little chance of generating
anywhere near the revenue of Microsoft’s Windows.

“And over the next few years, revenue growth from sales of all
server operating systems will pale in comparison to the number of
units shipped, according to IDC’s new study–a paradox explained by
the skyrocketing popularity of versions Linux for low-cost
systems.”

“In 1999, Linux scooted past Novell’s Netware to become the No.
2 server operating system behind Microsoft’s Windows NT. Over the
next four years, IDC said, Linux shipments will grow at a rate of
28 percent, from 1.3 million in 1999 to 4.7 million in 2004.”


Complete Story

Web Webster

Web Webster

Web Webster has more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience in the tech sector. He’s written and edited news, demand generation, user-focused, and thought leadership content for business software solutions, consumer tech, and Linux Today, he edits and writes for a portfolio of tech industry news and analysis websites including webopedia.com, and DatabaseJournal.com.

Linux Today Logo

LinuxToday is a trusted, contributor-driven news resource supporting all types of Linux users. Our thriving international community engages with us through social media and frequent content contributions aimed at solving problems ranging from personal computing to enterprise-level IT operations. LinuxToday serves as a home for a community that struggles to find comparable information elsewhere on the web.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.