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Originally published at Internet.comOpen source software combined with commercial licensed software has become a market reality as open source technologies, such as Linux * and Apache, which are already tremendous market successes, are combined into business models by vendors who want to win in the marketplace. It's happening today and will continue to flourish. Here's why.
Linux market penetration - Already a solid platform for servers and growing fastest
To make a change, the market needs a catalyst - and that's Linux. The impact that Linux is having in the market is significant. According to analyst firm IDC, Linux is the fastest growing server operating system in the market, and second in volume only to Windows NT/2000 through 2005. IT vendors are not randomly open-sourcing commercially licensed software, but they are enabling open source software on top of Linux and using Apache, where appropriate.
With the projected growth of Linux on the server, spurred on by killer-apps like Apache and Samba, a market opportunity is born. The industry is now taking the next step to deliver commercial software on the open source platform. According to IDC, The market opportunity, in revenue, for software sold on Linux is now projected to grow in excess of 100 percent compound annual growth through 2005. * *
It's still all about business, business models, and value add to the customer - just add Linux
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