"The population of Retail Point of Sale Terminals running Linux
in North America increased 80% according to a new study released
today from IHL Consulting Group. However, shipments of the popular
open-source operating system actually decreased from 2000.
"'We began the year projecting 300-400% growth for Linux,' says
Greg Buzek, President of IHL Consulting Group. 'But two large
retail defections from planned rollouts of POS units greatly
hampered the growth of the operating system. Musicland was just
about ready to roll with Linux when they were purchased by Best
Buy, a Windows NT shop. Best Buy changed those Linux plans. And
Home Depot also was looking to roll with Linux at the POS, but
those plans were nixed when the company made several management
changes'..."