The Big Guys Latch Onto Linux, Feb 21, 2003

The biggest beneficiary of the bunch is IBM, which bagged $1 billion in Linux-based revenues in 2002 -- more than double what it got in 2001. Big Blue won't break out profits on that part of its business, but it boasts that its Linux operations are in the black. One step behind is HP. In the past four years, Carly Fiorina's troops have generated $2 billion in Linux revenue from sales of hardware, software, and consulting. By comparison, gross sales at Red Hat have yet to crack $90 million a year.

Like all big shifts, the Linux phenomenon will produce winners and losers. Likely winners include IBM, which specializes in high-performance computing and is selling twice as many Linux servers as any other computer company. Processor maker Intel is riding Linux' coattails into the world of high-powered computing. And Dell is pumping out low-priced Linux servers and selling them directly to companies via the Net.

The Mono Project is also working on ASP.Net- and Web forms-compliant features for the Mono platform but Microsoft won't have to worry about the Mono Project using Windows Forms. "We don't care about Windows Forms," de Icaza said. "We think it stinks."

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