From what I have heard is that if Brazil successfully rolls out Linux software, and others in Latin America follow suit, this will have a devestating impact for Microsoft?
**Brazil’s government snuggles up to Linux **](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/latestnewsstory.cfm?storyID=3535171&thesection=business&thesubsection=latest)
What do others know about this subject?
As a non-so-technical person, my understanding for the reasons fopr the slow uptake of Linux with mainstream users has been the fact that one could not run MS office application on Linux? However with CodeWeavers’s CrossOver Office, this might change? Maybe the tech folk on this forum can give further details?
In terms of Microsoft's losses in the Latin American market, it would still be miniscule compared to a crossover to Linux in say Europe. Certain states in the US (including mine) have already used Linux as their primary application with a few modifications.
I think that Europe + Japan will be the key for Linux. If I was trying to expand into foreign markets (while theoretically conceding the US) I would also focus certain 'foundation' countries like the UK in Europe and Japan in Asia. Other secondary markets like China, India etc can wait as they are more dependent on external demand dictating their platforms of choice.
I am not a tech person, however it is my undersatanding that Linux is a more stable with better GUI than the previous versions.
Microsoft..being microsoft will come up with some wau or some thing to find other revenue streams. I dont know how large Latin america is for microsoft to begin with. ion some ways it may make sense for them to go with a cheaper alternative..but what about long term development costs and expertise? integration with new developments? are they really able to handle that
Well considering that hackers are attacking microsoft not because they are totally malicious, but rather to prove that microsoft is a bad company helps in spreading linux. The recent Worm32 worm that wrecked havoc all over windows was targetted according to the author himself (he added it as part of the virus) to show the holes and faults with Windows.
Linux was of course built far better and the worm didnt affect the system. If more people start using Linux which will be 200 million consumers this year by a study on IPRs for International Trade, it will seriously take a bite out of Microsoft.
The problem is the myth that linux is too complicated or hard etc. Its needs to be dumbed down literally.
Considering M$ is so vulnerable most big orgs/universities don't actually use that when its a matter of security. Princeton for one is all cisco/*nix on the outer end.
As for govts. going *nix, I think it would definitely bring down licensing costs.
As Brazil’s rolls out Linux, the world’s biggest potential market seems to be following suit.
China to invest in Linux-based software](CNN.com - China to invest in Linux-based software - Nov. 5, 2003)