Sun, Microsoft tout fruits of cooperation

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Sun & Microsoft vs IBM

The comments about Linux have to be seen in context. Sun's core business had been going down the drain while Sun fought with Microsoft.

A ZDNet article had observed that all the Unix servers converted to Linux had come from Sun. I think that's an exaggeration, but shows Linux was harming Sun.

Sun offers Linux, but reluctantly, and in cheap, low margin products, which are not what a comparatively small company wants to see.

And who controls Linux? IBM primarily.

So when you read ...

"One thing that was not mentioned or asked: What about Linux?" said William Hurley, an analyst with the Enterprise Strategy Group. "The brushing-over on this topic was disappointing since the vast majority of customers who operate either Windows or Solaris also use Linux."
Actually, Linux wasn't completely ignored. McNealy conspicuously omitted it from a list of operating systems he predicts will have long-term viability.
"There are two clear survivors in the operating system marketplace. Those are Solaris and Windows," McNealy said. "I'm not sure who third place is in the long term."


... it's a direct affront to IBM.

I also think that "a vast majority" of Windows and Solaris users also running Linux is an exaggeration. But the analyst knew to whom he was supplying the quote.


IBM does come up once:

The partnership brings Sun into closer agreement with several other companies developing so-called Web services standards that govern sophisticated business transactions on the Internet. "This is not just Sun-Microsoft," Willett said. "This is Sun-Microsoft-IBM-BEA Systems."


If this means that IBM must follow rules set by Sun and Microsoft in tandem, that can give both companies satisfaction.

Linux is a pawn in the larger battle for control over the web and other software-dependant aspects of business.

Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 05/16/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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