The Linux Foundation has essentially declared itself victorious in its software war with Microsoft. The organization believes that in every category but the desktop, Linux, in one form or another, is beating Microsoft's offerings. As a result, the software giant is no longer important, nor much of a threat, to the organization.

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Each release of ubuntu looks more and more like windows.

lol, I love Tux
I also, like Linux and Linux derivatives like ubuntu, have a 40 or 50 Gig partition on my hard drive I plan to install some Linux based OS on when I get time.

The truth is, it really doesn't matter what "the Linux crowd" says. You can't play games on Linux. Sure, there are a few exceptions, but come on... there's really no point arguing that fact. Games are simply designed for Windows.

I don't even like Microsoft. I've hardly ever used Linux, and still I dream of a day when I can choose Linux and still play games. I look forward to that day with great anticipation! On the other hand, I doubt that day will ever come. As long as DirectX rules all and Microsoft got the gaming community by the junk with their console franchise, things aren't likely to change.

I know I can have 2 OS installed side by side, but why would I? There's nothing you can do with Linux that you can't do with Windows! Plus you can play games with Windows! It all comes down to the games, doesn't it?

Infact, I tip my hat for Linux and their cute little penguin mascot. It's a miracle that it's still around at all. And so snippy, looking down their noses at Microsoft. It's all too cute.

Agree... Since most softwares are supporting Windows OS, there's nothing you can do with Linux... Gaming? Only with those free and lousy games... Still Windows OS rules the computing world !

It amazes me that the Linux Community would make such ridiculous statements when at the end of the day their product is only used because it is FREE. It has nothing to do with being better and for that reason they will remain at the bottom. Microsoft, Adobe, AutoDesk, etc. are companies that develop software to generate a profit! Linux can barely give away their software and when it does land on someones machine, good look on receiving any support or "regular" updates. I am not a Linux hater, but I run a business and it is funny how people feel that an organization like Linux which doesn't even pay for their use of the DVD codec wants companies like Microsoft which pay billions of dollars a year in licnensing to go out of business.

No software, no drivers, no support, no games and they make no money... why is it still around? It's like the hobo OS for 3rd world countries.

As much as I'd love to defend Linux now, for no good apparent reasons, the thought of Hobo OS is just Amusing xD hahahahahahaha

Still, I agree with what most people have said above. Whatever Linux can do at this point, Windows can do. The only plus point at the moment is that Linux is free. I used to juggle Linux OSes, but it just can't run the applications I need, like Photoshop, 3DS Max, UVLayout.

Linux is fine for free and for free server side apps. You need another person or two to support it usually.

On the desktop it has a long history of being almost good enough if only ...

Don't know anything about smart phones. They're just shiny gadgets. I hate all phones as interruptions.

Minus the fact that you really can't run much for games on Linux - I love it. I Ubuntu run it on my laptop and my home media server. When I built a new computer for my dad I put Ubuntu on it - and even my computer illiterate father doesn't have too many troubles with it. It does everything he needs to do - plays music/video, word processing, and gets him online.

Hobo OS - that cracks me up .
but I do have to disagree on at least your first two points. There is plenty of software for Linux - you just don't see it on the store shelf, and in many cases I have found installing software to be even easier than on Windows (thank you Ubuntu software repository). In some cases I have had better luck with drivers on Linux than Windows. Only thing I have had trouble with is wireless cards ...
And well for support, I take care of that the same way I do windows - Google. So its really no different.
But sadly I can't argue with the lacking of games. Trying to run them through Wine is just frustrating. Its really the only thing holding me back from running it as my main OS - I like to game on my computer too much to give that up.
Until Linux has game support like Windows it will never replace Windows, but I don't really think the Linux Foundation is trying to replace Windows in that aspect.

linux IS good for one thing....most folks havent figured out how to hack or impregnate a virus into it yet....

webOS = i read its improved, but who uses that?
Android OS = fragmented.
WINE = cuz when linux can't get it done... Windows can.
Compiling = i gotta be a programmer to make it run?
Drivers = when companies get around to giving you one.
Linux = you get to upgrade your OS every 6-9 months.
Runs on older hardware = yea... who wants technology to advance anyway? yucky technology.
It's free = I'm not a hobo!

Nobody wants to hack a hobo OS anyway, that's why.

I have a friend who uses Ubuntu, and uses an image of Dr. Hobo from VG cats as his desktop wallpaper. I linked him to the comments for this article and he laughed. =3

We have come to dominate every aspect of computing except desktop.

LOL.

I see the strategy now. When you can't grasp any market share of an arena of almost a billion users, just ignore it. We dominate the fuel market, except for gasoline. I saw a study that had 'other' with a higher desktop share than Linux.

I'm glad the techies are using the ability to customize Linux to run servers and supercomputers, but they still failed to deliver a product that the average person wants to use on their home computer.

As someone said it, games. 90-odd percent of us are here because we play games. We upgrade our computers cause we play games. Companies make faster and better hardware cause we play games.
Those supercomputers that run Linux that are using GPUs - hm. Why are the GPU's powerful enough to run supercomputers? Games. One can make the argument that a lot of progress that has been made in computing in the last 3 decades was spurned by games, directly or indirectly.

The only computer I have that runs Linux runs Linux for the sake of running Linux. I turn it on about once a month, update it, play around with the software and go back to my Windows computer that I play games on.

Linux is just as virus prone as any other OS. Including Mac and Windows.

Linux is doing well in enterprise environments, because of licensing terms (FREE).
Most big server users use Redhat subscription services for the support Redhat provides.
Qualit support is a big issue for large enterprise customers.
Windows server is still and will conrinue to be a player in the enterprise.
The real losers in the enterprise world are proprietary UNIXs, or is that UNI?
Linux tried, but failed to make a big dent in the desktop world.
In the HPC world which includes graphics rendering, it is popular.
Although I was raised on UNIX and like Linux, is doesn't provide
what I want on the desktop.

I love how replies are talking about desktop OSes when the article clearly states except desktop.

However I know Linux OSes for desktop computing are actually better than Windows. The problem is with gaming, it can still be done, but you have to jump through hoops to get it working. Most of the hoops are actually caused by hardware developers who don't release Linux drivers. :/

We have lots of servers at work and they mostly run windows. A few Linux boxes about which run dns or do a bit of load balancing. They also run a pretty poor email solution for the students. Most everything runs on MS including obviously exchange.