Linux not so hot in emerging markets

reminder for readers who missed that story: a Gartner research claimed that some 40% of PCs shipped in those countries with Linux pre-installed end up running pirated MS-Windows.

Let's also assume that this number is indeed accurate. Let's also assume that none of the computers running XP-Demo^H^H^H^HStarter Edition will be pirated to the more expensive Home/Pro versions.

Even then, we have 60% of those computers with Linux installed and used. Not bad.

I agree. The funny thing is, it corresponds very well with the other figures: Quote: "Linux will account for about 5% of all PC shipments worldwide this year. But those numbers jump into the 10% to 12% range in markets such as Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Eastern Europe." So, if 60% of the 10-12% exports stay Tuxified, it is a little above the rest of the world. Those are not bad figures, compared to the Windows dominance. This message was edited Oct 10, 2004 3:58 AM

Gartner is the Dark Overlord of FUD.

Hasn't people reached this conclusion yet.

Gartner: The third world is hardly adopting Linux, Linux is more expensive than Windows, etc .. (I haven't bothered to check it up but it's all along those lines)

If--as claimed--many people buy linux computers just to steal Windows, then MS is still better off with pirated Windows on the loose rather than people running Linux. Either way they don't get paid for Windows, but they may get paid for other software if (and only if) the machines run Windows. So why make a big public deal of this? To me the only benefit Microsoft would push this message out is to take yet another opportunity to try to portray the linux community in bad light. The almost-but-not-quite-said conclusion is that linux users are basically thieves. A similar, yet slightly less offensive (yet equally wrong) conclusion this message conveys people REALLY want windows, and they only use linux because they can't afford the "good stuff." There is no other reason people would willingly use Linux.

On the other hand, if Microsoft really believes that most linux "threats" are just negotiation tools to get lower prices on windows, then they shouldn't lower the prices (because it's just a bluff). But they do lower their prices, and frequently, whenever it seems that Linux may make inroads. Makes you wonder, why would they do that if people don't "really" want to use Linux?