Slashdot Mirror
IBM Puts $100M Behind Linux Push
IainMH writes "Over at the BBC, there is a report that despite the slow build up, IBM is spending $100m (£52m) over the next three years beefing up its commitment to Linux software. It continues: 'The cash injection will be used to help its customers use Linux on every type of device from handheld computers and phones right up to powerful servers.'" Commentary and coverage also available on TechNewsWorld and ZDNet.
> I also hope that, when IBM starts making money with Linux, that some moral compass directs them to give something back.
They won't make money (or recover those $100 m) out of vacuum - most likely you'll pay an extra X bucks for something from IBM along the way.
Talk about free lunch....
Look at their share price, for Christ's - do they look like some poor bastards who give everything away and survive on bare essentials? I don't think so.
Do you think their CEO said "Let's burn $100m and we'll get some great feedback on Slashdot?". Or "Let's spend $100m and make $300m!" is more likely?
A practical person would say "I hope they spend all that money on porting everything they can to GNU Linux and then I'll buy it pre-installed from DELL" (as DELL didn't spend those $100m their cost and price will more likey be lower than IBM's).