NewsFactor: Microsoft’s Friendly Foes?

“Microsoft is certainly eager to do battle with proprietors of
the Linux operating system, but is it ready to take on its hardware
partners in the server space? It is a question that has to be
asked. Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and others are increasing
platform support for Linux server software and, in some instances,
have more boxes that run Linux than run Windows.

“It is certainly not new for an OEM to offer competing OSes on
its servers, but the ferocity of the Windows-Linux server battle
requires both parties to seek the upper hand wherever they can.

“Are major hardware vendors souring on Windows and putting more
effort into supporting Linux servers? Is support of Linux hurting
their relationships with Microsoft? Overtly, no. But the Linux
siege does give OEMs some new leverage in their dealings with
Microsoft. Indeed, it is hard not to believe that behind the
scenes, some OEMs are rooting for Linux to blast Microsoft off the
map…”

Complete
Story