An Internet Week article claims that most Linux converts come from Windows, rather than from similar Unix platforms. I think that is somewhat obvious since there are much more Windows users than Unix users. Anyway, the article focused on developers and has some interesting points.

Linux seems to be really making deep inroads into Windows territory. I use a dual-boot system at home with Mandrake Linux and Windows 2000, and I’m slowly moving my data over to Linux. I hope to use Linux as my primary platform by the end of the year. Most of the applications I need exist under Linux, and I’m not locked on Windows anymore. Even my wife, who has limited technological knowledge, uses Linux in a regular basis without any problems. I know a lot of other people with a similar experience.

The biggest challenge to Linux is, of course, the old question about a realistic business model for companies developing a market on the platform. It’s a much discussed question, but I have seem no pratical solutions for it so far. Mandrake Linux, which recently filled for bankrupcy protection, seems to be a typical case. I guess we will have to wait a few more years to see how things go. Meanwhile, I hope the volunteers can keep up with the good work.