linux hit miss network world fusion focus phil hochmuth linux today focus linux hit miss corporate desktop 03 15 00 dear wincenty kaminski today focus linux hit miss corporate desktop phil hochmuth far year buzz linux enterprise networks focused servers embedded systems growth linux severs heralded according idc research firm based framingham mass linux fastest growing server operating system last year 93 growth rate year linux second shipped operating system 1999 windows nt capturing 24 new licenses shipped embedded market linux emerged ideal platform network appliances system modified handle specialized dedicated tasks well companies cobalt networks picazo progressive systems announced linux based appliances ranging web servers pbxs firewalls open source hacker dream linux every desktop 8 sure linux desktop become accessible ever colorful shrink wrapped boxes caldera red hat corel linux available places like compusa however analysts said linux growth enterprise limited macro micro areas network servers embedded operating systems according idc linux currently runs 4 u desktops hold microsoft windows desktop market remain strong analysts say despite factors microsoft antitrust problems surging popularity linux even linux executives skeptical product desktop future recently suse ceo roland dyroff downplayed linux future desktops dyroff said given lack applications available really claim competitive desktop yet 8 recent survey survey com gives hope linux desktops according survey 1 640 enterprise network managers open source operating systems used 10 desktops number jumping surprising 23 enterprise desktops 2002 despite mix numbers thrown around two important factors determine success linux enterprise client desktop standardized easy use graphical user interface gui available applications one company working make linux user friendly palo alto based eazel designing next generation file management system user interface run top linux kernel according eazel web site company goal bring linux masses way appeals today linux users mere mortals 8 company founded group former apple executives allied gnome project extensive linux desktop environment development several years eazel due product middle year intuitive icon based file management environment eazel hoping user interface improvement two current linux guis gnome kde help standardized look feel linux regular 8 users enterprise mangers already embraced linux server side development worth keeping eye applications side several office productivity suites available time sun staroffice suite koffice kde desktop corel also ported office products wordperfect linux complement distribution operating system recent rumors started linux care vice president arthur tyde microsoft working port ms office linux microsoft officials deny linux may never supplant windows industry standard desktop plenty opportunity linux pcs enterprise nets future contact phil hochmuth phil hochmuth writer researcher network world former systems integrator reach mailto phochmut nww com related links click network world home page http www nwfusion com staroffice software sun http www sun com staroffice corel linux os http www corel com freedom freedom htm eazel http www eazel com gnome gnu network object model environment http www gnome org koffice integrated office suite kde k desktop environment http koffice kde org cobalt networks inc http www cobaltnetworks com progressive systems http www progressive systems com picazo http www picazo com linux related articles network world active directory upgrade requires strong game plan network world 03 13 00 subscription services subscribe unsubscribe network world e mail newsletters go change email address go subscription questions contact customer service replying message questions comments editorial comments write jeff caruso newsletter editor mailto jcaruso nww com advertising information write jamie kalbach account executive mailto jkalbach nww com network world fusion part idg net idg online network starts http www idg com copyright network world inc 2000