The Penguin’s Battle Cry

More of sleepless nights for Microsoft’s officials, given the way Linux,
their numero uno bete noire is growing both in reach and influence the world
over. The latest strike from the penguin brigade has come in the form of HP’s
announcement of launching Linux-based desktop PCs in 12 Asian countries,
including India.

HP is planning to sell TurboLinux powered machines to businesses that could
avoid heavy licensing fees, normally associated with Windows-powered PCs. HP’s
PCs will also be loaded with OpenOffice, a productivity suite among other
applications including those for instant messaging and digital cameras, making
it a formidable alternative to Windows-based PCs. While there are no set dates
for the launch, a Japanese newspaper reported that shipments could begin as
early as in June.

This is the first time a global PC leader (HP competes with Dell for number
one position worldwide) has put its weight behind Linux to operate desktops. IBM
too has offered its business PCs with Linux as an optional OS in markets like
India, although with negligible success.

But that is not all that’s there to HP’s announcement. The company
followed it with another one–that of tying up with Novell to offer latter’s
SuSE version of Linux OS on desktops shipped to corporates in US. HP says
increasing demand from American corporates looking to cut IT costs has forced it
to look at alternatives to Windows. In both geographies, there are no plans to
offer Linux-powered machines to consumers.

Still, the sheer size of corporate PC market could result in significant
traction for Linux on desktops and Laptops. It also marks the beginning of new
challenges for Microsoft, who so far has had to worry about Linux only as a
rival to its server software suite. Even though Linux will remain an underdog in
a world monopolized by Microsoft’s Windows platform, it is going to be
interesting to see how Goliath responds to the clarion call from David.

Rishi Seth in New Delhi