[perfect_rovian_storm]

Linux is an enormous threat to Microsoft. People love to claim it isn’t, but the fact is that cross-platform apps like Pidgin, Firefox, and Thunderbird are gaining market share every day. Those basic applications make OS switches much less of a shock for the end user.

[Dr. Sivana]

People love to claim it isn’t, but the fact is that cross-platform apps like Pidgin, Firefox, and Thunderbird are gaining market share every day.

I'm getting more impressed with some of the new, large niche apps. Openproj looks like a keeper, and Microsoft had 90+% of the "project" software market, and hence could charge REALLY exorbitant fees for their decent product.

I am waiting for a Linux database program with a useable front end. The one that comes with OpenOffice is awful. Ideally, something that reads and writes SQL, Access and the old standards (DBF, Paradox) but looks more like FileMaker Pro.

[Señor Zorro]

Linux is an enormous threat to Microsoft

Perhaps some day, but not quite yet. Microsoft believes in preventative medicine. Corporately, I think they still remember how Gates made his way to the top and are afraid of being blindsided by the next big thing. So, rather than worry about which thing is the next big thing, they try to kill or take over it all.