Take a Sober Look at Linux

Last week's release of Ubuntu 7.10 marked another milestone on Linux's path from basement wonkitude to businessplace respectability. But the accolades for open source in general, and Linux in particular, often feel like a boozy lovefest.Linux has a long way to go. There are things Linux distros could do better. Some, like InformationsWeek's Alex Wolfe, firmly believe that Linux is destined to stay stuck in the shadow of Windows.

To be sure, there remains ample room for improvement in development of the Linux kernel, most notably in the areas of security and virtualization.

So development continues at a blazing pace. "Linux can't afford to fall behind technically, or it'll lose ever-demanding business users," writes InformationWeek's Charles Babcock.

At least one survey suggests that it's already happening: Linux adoption by businesses is likely to slow next year.

For now, it's the small and midsize businesses that can tell the difference between open source winners and losers that will have a leg up.