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The following is an excerpt from a newsletter by Lindows (a Linux version)
CEO Michael Robertson. Interesting background information on what's going on
behind the scenes in the computer industry.
Regards,
Michael Suesserott
--------------------------
It's no mystery that Microsoft is doing everything in their power to thwart
desktop Linux, because it's a direct hit on their revenues and
profitability. They know that affordable Linux-based software will cause
them to adjust their pricing to compete and they're doing everything in
their power to delay the inevitable. But the other half of the "Wintel"
dynasty (Intel) is a going through a major internal struggle about how
strongly to back desktop Linux. Fully embracing it risks upsetting Microsoft
and potentially losing their support for Intel's 64bit chip and other key
projects. However, if Intel ignores it, they open the door for the other two
chip companies (VIA and AMD) to fill the void and ride the desktop Linux
wave to greater market share at Intel's expense.
Many inside Intel want to fully back consumer Linux products. Intel
engineers are active contributors to Linux software development and do an
excellent job of ensuring that the latest chips and motherboards have solid
Linux support. They've sent many products to our certification labs as part
of that process and we're grateful for their support. However, when it comes
to packaging those components into complete computers and announcing their
availability, strong resistance emerges. It's a classic "engineering vs.
marketing" business struggle. The technology-minded folks see a growing
trend that is imperative for them to support in order to stay fully relevant
in all areas of the PC business. While the marketing-minded individuals are
more worried about the risk of upsetting Microsoft.
Let me illustrate the internal struggle happening within Intel with some
actual examples. Intel does a traveling road show where they, along with
about a dozen other companies, visit US cities and talk to computer
manufacturers about their product line. When our salespeople have attended
similar Intel events wearing Lindows.com shirts, they are consistently
besieged with Intel customers asking us why we are not at the event
exhibiting. For sure, there is solid interest in Linux desktop products from
Intel customers and we would like to be exhibiting. We asked to participate
in an upcoming road show. The initial reaction to our request to be a
participant was, "Great. We'd love to have you participate because we're
getting increasing interest in Linux desktop machines." But once the request
is vetted through the marketing side of Intel we are told we cannot
participate even though we are willing to pay the required fees and they
have told us there is room. Perhaps it is because Microsoft is also a major
sponsor of this event. The exact reason is unclear at this time, but Intel
computer builders won't get a chance to hear about desktop Linux products.
A similar incident happened with the Desktop Linux Summit held a month ago.
Engineers within Intel were excited about attending and were even slated to
participate as speakers. At the last moment though, Intel marketing people
stepped in and blocked their participation citing "branding restrictions."
I'm still not sure what that means exactly, but it was their justification
for their change of heart. More than 550 attendees missed an opportunity to
hear about how well Intel and desktop Linux work together today and
consequently are looking increasingly to alternative chip choices for their
PC needs, such as VIA was in attendance.
Most worrisome is Intel's lack of Linux support for their new Centrino
chipset which they've called their "most important announcement since the
Pentium." Intel says that 300 million dollars will go into advertising this
new product for mobile computing, but Intel isn't making the small
investment to provide Linux drivers. When you see that "Centrino" sticker on
the computer, you can substitute "Microsoft Windows XP." As a cost saver
perhaps we can expect to see "XPino" stickers in the future further
solidifying the Wintel partnership. Lets hope this isn't a signal that
future Intel products will be void of Linux support as well.
It's clear that those beholden to Microsoft within Intel are winning the
battle against supporting desktop Linux. Consequently, Intel has no strategy
for the biggest development in the PC business in 15 years. That's bad for
customers looking for Intel powered Linux desktops and laptops running
Linux. At the same time, it's an opening for chipmakers like VIA and AMD to
make sure that those looking for desktop Linux products have a nice
selection to choose from.
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