LinuxStockNews: Linux Enters the Mainstream, Part Two (June 26, 2000)

“This week, we continue our look at what the five largest
computer makers are doing with Linux: IBM (NYSE: IBM), Compaq
(NYSE: CPQ), HP (NYSE: HWP), Sun Microsystems (NASD: SUNW), Dell
(NASD: DELL), and SGI (NYSE: SGI). Since we last wrote back in
February about how these companies were beginning to make inroads
into the Linux revolution, much has happened. Each company has
launched its own Linux initiative seeking to dominate one or more
niches. Major Linux players such as VA Linux (NASD: LNUX) and Red
Hat (NASD: RHAT), having established “first-mover” advantage, have
began partnering with these companies in order to shore up market
share and sell their Linux expertise in the form of professional
services. The motivation of the Big Five companies for entering
the Linux area is the realization that Linux is becoming one of the
principal operating systems for the future. As a result, each
of the big five companies are contributing significant resources
and ensuring that they can adequately serve customers desiring
Linux-based equipment: from selling the hardware to providing
professional services for implementation and integration with
legacy systems. Although large, Fortune 500 companies have begun to
look at Linux as a viable alternative to Windows NT; currently, 48%
of Linux installations go into small businesses with 100 employees
or less according to International Data Corporation.”

Complete
Story