Judge Kills Microsoft Private Suit Settlement, Jan 12, 2002

U.S. District Court Judge J. Frederick Motz said he could not endorse the settlement even though it would have committed Microsoft to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on software and computers for poor schools.

My latest toy is the Internet Computer from OEone . This is a $799 (US) box preloaded with Linux that takes user friendliness to a level you won't believe until you see it for yourself. I found the Internet Computer easier to set up than an iMac, and lots easier to use than a typical Windows PC. But this is still a real, hacker-friendly Linux computer with a terminal window only two mouse clicks away from its default desktop.

Q: But where are the emerging markets for Linux? It's made impressive inroads into certain server markets, but almost none into the enterprise desktop ? where will you get your growth?

A: It is certainly possible to be successful using Linux on the desktop, as I do, but from a commercial perspective, as long as there is a monopolist who continues to behave in a way that violates antitrust law, I don't think there's much hope for an alternative desktop. The desktop market is not an exciting market. It has reached a point of saturation. The future is in post-PC devices ? networked devices that allow pervasive computing.

Linux has the most potential in the delivery of service to these types of users. One can only see the benefits derived from the use of it. Just imagine the possibility of having a end-to-end global network made from 'free' and 'open' software. The possibilities are just endless.

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