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Microsoft Openly Admits Linux Is Real Threat In The OS Wars

As far as I can tell from this story at the BBC, Microsoft has openly admitted that it sees the use of the Linux OS on OLPC and NetPC (inexpensive laptops and subnotebooks offered in developing countries) as a real threat.

The success of the Eee PC and the rush by many companies to release similar products has seen a recent about-turn by Microsoft. The company has said it will extend support of its XP OS on sub-notebooks, in an effort to thwart the growing use of Linux on such machines. It has also slashed the cost of a licence for XP running on netbook machines to just $32 (£17) and £14 in developing countries.

(The bold is my own highlighting)

Even though it took a little competition to get the software giant to take notice, the plus side is that the software fees have significantly dropped and will actually help make computers more accessable to lower income families and developing countries.

Posted: Thu 5.29.08 @ 6:07am EST by Paul Short