Look out, Linux train starting to roll

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/01/2003 (8382 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Watch out, Unix. Watch out, Macintosh. Heck, watch out, Bill Gates. The Linux train is starting to roll.

That “other” operating system — the open-source grassroots platform that was created by Finnish-born Linus Thorvalds and has a penguin for its mascot — is rapidly becoming the OS of choice for many computer users worldwide.

IBM has recognized the potential of Linux and is developing both hardware and software aimed at the Linux market.

Closer to home, cash-strapped Legal Aid Manitoba is one organization that is turning to Linux as an alternative to the high-priced and hardware-demanding Microsoft Windows OS.

Scott Balneaves, who calls himself “the technical guy” for Legal Aid Manitoba, said in an interview Friday the organization is in the process of converting to Linux to run the 150 desktop PCs in its three Winnipeg offices, plus satellites in Brandon, Dauphin, The Pas and Thompson.

Money was the motivation, Balneaves said. It was going to cost $300,000 for licences to upgrade to the latest Windows version, XP.

“But we are operating on a $50,000 budget,” he said.

As well, many of Legal Aid’s older machines aren’t compatible with Windows XP and would have to be upgraded or replaced. They work just fine with Linux.

He said they are about halfway through the conversion and users have reported little difficulty with the transition. Typically, an office can be converted in three days, Balneaves said.

Technical staff does the installation on the first day, staff is trained on the morning of the second day and allowed time to practise that afternoon. The technical staff remains around for the third day to provide support and trouble-shoot problems that arise.

“The Linux version of WordPerfect is a little bit different and that requires the most training time for staff,” he said.

The motivation to move to Linux at Legal Aid Manitoba is typical of what is driving the growing popularity of this alternative OS among business users.

And a move to provide a commercial consumer desktop version cleverly called Lindows is likely to put Linux on the PCs of millions of home PC users as well.

At least that is the hope of Michael L. Robertson, the man behind Lindows.com Inc. and someone who is no stranger to taking on the big boys. Robertson is the founder and CEO of Lindows.com, a consumer software company that is dedicated to creating choice in the marketplace.

He was the man behind MP3.com, the organization that revolutionized digital music on the Internet by amassing a library of more than one million downloadable MP3 audio files. He spearheaded change in corporate business music services and put the power of CD creation in the artists’ hands by offering a host of support technologies and services.

But at the same time, he raised the ire of the music industry and was sued by the Recording Industry Association of America, the industry trade group that represents all the major record labels. MP.com was forced to pay millions of dollars in penalties. The company was subsequently sold.

But now Robertson and his San Diego-based company are poised to take on Microsoft Corp., which holds a virtual monopoly when it comes to desktop operating systems through Windows.

Microsoft has gone to court in the United States seeking an injunction against Lindows.com, claiming copyright infringement. So far, a Seattle judge has refused a temporary injunction. A final decision is expected later this month.

Microsoft’s action is an indication of the deep concern it has over Linux and its growing popularity.

In a segment called Michael’s Minutes on the Lindows.com Web site (www.lindows.com), Robertson claims that Microsoft has been calling upon industry partners and telling them not to lend their support to the Desktop Linux Summit, an industry trade conference scheduled for San Diego Feb. 20 and 21.

“At first, I was aghast that Microsoft… would be spending their time disinviting companies from attending the summit. But then it got me thinking that it actually was a good indicator. If Linux wasn’t ready for the desktop, then MS would be happy to have people spend two days in sunny San Diego because they would witness first hand the state of desktop Linux,” Robertson writes.

“The opposite of course is true. Microsoft is fearful that attendees will find out that Linux is now no longer just about the server — that it’s ready for the desktop.”

To prove Linux is ready for the desktop, Robertson has cut a deal with Wal-Mart. Consumers can buy a PC running Lindows on-line through Wal-Mart.com. It is not yet available at Wal-Mart retail stores in Canada or the U.S.

Once Robertson has a retail distribution in place — his next step in growing his business — he thinks Linux will quickly surpass Macintosh as the No. 2 desktop operating system.

And rather than fight him, Robertson thinks Microsoft would be wise to develop their own Linux products, just like IBM is doing.

In the meantime, he has invited Bill Gates to speak at the San Diego summit. No word yet on whether Gates will accept the invitation.

paul.pihichyn@freepress.mb.ca