InformationWeek
Defining The Business Value Of Technology
March 15, 1999
Behind The Numbers:Momentum Builds For Linux
efore we talk about technology this week, let's have a little fun with language. When was the last time you actually saw a bandwagon? Unless you're fairly close to retirement age, the closest you've come to one in your lifetime was probably when you took the family to a theme park. That's not surprising, since the term "bandwagon" originated about 1850--an era when it was more common to see ornately decorated vehicles carrying musical groups.Yet people today are just as excited about hopping on bandwagons as they were nearly 150 years ago. The latest IT bandwagon is the Linux operating system. Seems like just last year--and it was--that Linux was virtually unknown except among the digerati. But the once-fringe movement suddenly seems to be going mainstream. After all, it's pretty hard to be considered "underground" once you've got your own show (LinuxWorld, which drew about 10,000 people to San Jose, Calif., earlier this month) and the backing of high-profile companies such as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Oracle. Then again, this could be vaporware that will take a long time to reach users' screens.
Want more proof? Nearly one-third of IT managers surveyed by InformationWeek Research earlier this month say they're either using or planning to use Linux. Most of them will deploy it as a server operating system. That's not surprising, since it still lacks a friendly graphical user interface, something that's considered de rigueur for a mainstream desktop operating system. But the missing link may be added soon--a new Linux GUI was announced at LinuxWorld.
Among Linux users, 24% of those surveyed say they're already using it as a server operating system, and only 10% as a desktop or workstation operating system. Looked at the other way, only 24% don't plan to deploy it as a server operating system, compared with 68% who aren't planning to use Linux on the desktop.
Is your enterprise ready to jump onto the Linux bandwagon? Or is this one caravan you're satisfied to let pass by untouched? Let us know at the address below.
John Eckhouse
Senior Editor/ Research
jeckhous@cmp.com
This week in Behind The Numbers:
| Sticking Points | Comfort Level Still Low | Vendors Make A Difference | What Linux Will Replace |
Sticking Points
Not everyone, of course, is being swept up by the wave of euphoria surrounding Linux. Despite the hype for the operating system and the near-hero status of inventor Linus Torvalds, 70% of IT managers still have no plans to deploy Linux within the next year. So what would it take to change those minds and convince IT shops to give Linux a try? Nearly half the IT managers surveyed said Linux would have to prove its actual value through a cost-benefit analysis. Nearly as important: better third-party service and support--plus a strong recommendation from an IT department's technical staff.
Comfort Level Still Low
Linux users have always been a breed apart. Early adopters were confirmed do-it-yourselfers. That's part of Linux's culture and its reason for success. People provided their own support and bug fixes, and then freely shared them with others.
Nowadays, there's a growing amount of fee-based third-party service and support available--though clearly not enough to convince many non-Linux users to give the operating system a try. But even IT managers deploying Linux aren't satisfied with the level of commercial support. Nearly two-thirds say at best they're only somewhat comfortable with what service and support exists today.
Vendors Make A Difference
The LinuxWorld trade-show extravaganza marked a major coming-out party for the operating system. Many large global vendors said they would throw their considerable weight behind the upstart.
IBM revealed plans to integrate Linux into several of its products; Hewlett-Packard said it would develop Linux tools and technologies; and Computer Associates and SAP said they'd soon have applications for the platform. Blue-ribbon backing like that should escalate the growth of Linux. In fact, nearly nine in 10 of the IT managers planning to deploy Linux say the growth of industry support makes their decision even more likely.
What Linux Will Replace
Since most companies deploying Linux use it as a server operating system, the question arises as to what it will displace. Linux is a relative of Unix, so it would seem natural that it might supplant its cousin.
Not so. Linux will replace Unix servers at less than one-quarter of the IT shops planning to adopt the operating system. It's twice as likely to displace Microsoft's Windows NT. On the other hand, Linux seems unlikely for now to cause much damage to Novell or Apple, as very few IT managers say it will displace NetWare or the Mac OS.
Back to Business Intelligence
Send Us Your Feedback
Top of the Page
Featured Microsite
