>Mike,
>
>>>It is IMO a very interesting issue. I suppose we'd need some numbers here. For example, Microsoft has, what, 40,000 +/- employees? How many of these are programmers? I wouldn't have a clue but I know there are a lot of support folks. Let's say 10,000? High or low do you think?
>>
>>I think thats low. 15,000 seems to jump into my mind for some reason, I must have read that somewhere (or am just remembering something completely un related).
>
>Really? Interesting that Sylvain thought the number would be lower. I honestly don't know. Perhaps someone here has the numbers and will chime in.
>
>>
>>>The next couple of years will be interesting I'd think. <g>
>>
>>Defintatley. Whats one thing of many things that holds a platform back? Apps available directly affects its adoption rate.
>
>Sure.. For Linux there's Star Office and I understand there are others. Still, I think it's a tough sell to replace a Windows shop with Linux desktops. Areas like the Apache server make more sense as they are job/task specific.
>
>>
>>Once again, Microsoft speeds this up by submitting their CLI and C# to the ECMA. With the chance of a cross platform VS.NET on the horizon and the Delphi/Kylyx combo, the applications available for Linux should start to make apps less of an argument.
>
>Sure.. I'd think that in that case Microsoft would make huge inroads into the Linux wold. Once again they survive by embracing and extending...

Except the tide is going the other way, and the tide is escalating.