"Wal-Mart's proximity to Microsoft -- and by association to
Novell -- is something that Shane and I discussed before, but
today's antitrust evidence comes from 2006 and it reflects on
things that were happening behind the scenes when the press was
totally unaware. This exhibit is about what Microsoft called "the
Linux threat on the desktop." From Exhibit px09617 [PDF] which
comes from Microsoft:...
"For Wal-Mart, this GNU/Linux project was really successful.
Microsoft remarks: "Their goal with Lindows was to hit a very low
price point - if it sold, they would keep it, if it didn't they
would dump it after 90-120 days. It's selling." In fact, it was
also selling later on when Walmart began offering gOS PCs (2007),
but we lack evidence to show if Microsoft was involved. It did look
highly suspicious at the time.
"Microsoft also writes: ""Naked PCs" (no O/S) are still
outselling Linux PCs (but not by much)..."
"Let us remember that Microsoft said it was "scared" of
GNU/Linux". It called it a "huge threat"."