'We don't see much competition from Linux'

Microsoft has long been dismissive of the Linux factor. But no longer. The
Linux move-ment has paved its way into segments like gover-nment and education.
However, too much commercialization of the services-based model can spoil the
very essence of the values open source movement stands for, feels Microsoft
platform Strategies Manager Abhi-jit Das. He spoke to Zia Askari of CyberMedia
News about the way Linux is moving ahead and how Microsoft perceives the open
source movement

How is Microsoft placing its bet towards a closed source code environment?

There are a lot of misconce-ptions about open source and applications
designed on top of that. Its biggest plus point (the freeness associated with
the movement) has now become its biggest drawback. All the major Linux
distribu-tors are now charging hefty sums in the name of services, and revenue
models are being derived to stay put in business. Today, we are in a position
where Linux distributors like Red Hat and global service majors like IBM, Sun
and Oracle are eyeing for the same piece of the services pie. This is a bad
situation for a custo-mer who is opting for open source software.

How do you see open source gaining momentum in the Indian region?

Even though there are some success stories for Linux in the Indian region,
all these wins are over traditional Unix systems. For instance, LIC had all its
systems on Unix-so moving towards Linux was an obvious decision. Similarly,
there are other examples where Linux has taken a lot

of share from Unix-based systems.

What is Microsoft's long-term strategy to counter open source
development?

Linux could have been developed as a threat to us if it would have retained
its original nature of providing free products. But this is not the case.
Moreover, it is not possible for the industry to give something free of cost;
that's why these services-based models are being developed around Linux. So we
don't have that much of a competition from Linux as of now. Microsoft is not
com-pletely against open source development and we are developing some products
in the mobile and embedded product space with 'shared source code.'

In India, many sectors perceive Linux as a cheaper operating system. What
are your comments on this?

I don't think that Linux is a free operating system any-more. All the
Linux distribu-tors are charging hefty sums with regards to servicing their
customers. As a result, there are no large deals happening for Linux in this
region. However, run-rate business for Linux is increasing.