Linus On The Future Of Microsoft

An anonymous reader writes "There's a pretty good interview with Linus over at Good Morning Silicon Valley. The discussion seems focused predominantly on the future of proprietary software and what the tech landscape might look like if Microsoft's market share declines. 'Says Linus: I do not believe that anything can "replace" Microsoft in the market that MS is right now. Instead, what I think happens is that markets mature, and as they mature and become commoditized, the kind of dominant player like MS just doesn't happen any more. You don't have another dominant player coming in and taking its place -- to find a new dominant player you actually have to start looking at a totally different market altogether.'"

Comments

Huh?

[jabber01]

Yes, Linus is an expert on running a successful and profitable business.

Transwhata?

Don't get me wrong, or call this "flamebait" as it's not. Linux is a great thing, but the reasons it's as successful as it is have nothing to do with marketing, sales, creating perceptions, or anything else. It's simply a cheaper, ergo the corporate darling status, and some damned talented people are amused enough by it to lend their talents to the effort. These reasons in no way make Torvalds an authority - he simply has an opinion and happens to be a famous geek.

I'd sooner hear Steve Jobs' more sophisticated thoughts on the subject - yet Apple's barely holding a candle to MS. Maybe Andy Grove could take a moment to ponder this?

Linus is really smart!! haha

[LM741N]

Linus, why don't you stop by sometime. I wrote you a letter. You sometimes work only 3 miles from where I live. I know, I read source code.

We can get on the ham radio. I have all Ten-Tec. Orion and Titan 3, plus some amazing wire antennas, the product of hours spent on EZNEC.

Sincerely
Rob