Re: LINUX is the "one" ? .... Comments???

[James Rich <james@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 1 Apr 2003, Graap, Ken wrote:

> IBM will make LINUX their operating system of choice within 2 years.
>
>       What does this mean...
>
>               All platforms will use LINUX as their primary OS.

This isn't far from current reality.

>               All existing operating environments (iSeries, zSeries etc)
>                       will have a conversion path for applications and
>                       databases to LINUX

This may or may not happen, or even be possible.  More discussion on how
this would be done would be very interesting.

>               Current IBM based vendors will provide LINUX capability
>                       for their applications.

This is almost certain.

>       Why...
>
>               LINUX offers the opportunity for IBM to get out of the OS
>                       business.

Using linux does not get IBM out of the OS business.  IBM continues to
contribute to linux in many ways, including kernel development.  If IBM
follows the path suggested above, their involvment in such things would
increase.

>               LINUX reduces IBM reliance on Microsoft for small server
>                       software.

I believe that it is not linux per se that reduces this reliance, but
rather the existence of viable alternatives.  That existence is what the
big trial was all about.  It is my opinion the GNU GPL did what the courts
couldn't:  create a viable alternative that Microsoft could not destroy.

>               A common OS allows IBM to drop non cost competitive
>                       platform series without loosing the associated
>                       customer base.

This could happen if, as someone else suggested, the other OS can be run
on top of linux.  Similar to the way OS/400 runs on top of the LIC.

>               A common OS enables the IBM drive for on demand computing.

I don't believe a common OS is a necessary criteria for on demand
computing.

James Rich