Sure, there are multiple ways around closed file formats being required. But as an earlier poster said, the majority of CS students fit into two groups - too lazy to pass and do just enough to pass, and for these two groups, opening up an MS program and filing their report/project/whatever is a LOT easier than installing a *nix flavour, or using OS programs for the sake of it.
The people who do this are already familiar with *nix, but are in the minority.
While MS remains the de facto software provider on campus computers, students will use that.
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Sure, there are multiple ways around closed file formats being required. But as an earlier poster said, the majority of CS students fit into two groups - too lazy to pass and do just enough to pass, and for these two groups, opening up an MS program and filing their report/project/whatever is a LOT easier than installing a *nix flavour, or using OS programs for the sake of it.
The people who do this are already familiar with *nix, but are in the minority.
While MS remains the de facto software provider on campus computers, students will use that.