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Project: Linux  Articles
Microsoft Office for Linux?
By Prakash Advani <prakash@NOSPAMfreeos.com>
Posted: ( 2000-10-27 08:39:04 EST by )
If Microsoft decided to come out with MS Office for Linux, it would be the
best thing to happen to Linux. But right now, Microsoft is also worried
since Linux threatens its core OS business.
Ever since Linux has been gaining in popularity, there've been several
occasions when the issue has surfaced: is Microsoft planning an Office
version for the Linux platform? The media has been talking a lot about the possibility at every
opportunity that they've got. A few months ago, this issue was widely
discussed when a senior executive of a Linux distribution company said
Microsoft was working on it. The topic drew media hype, while many
believed it was just another rumor. Rather than idly speculate on the
possibility, we'll look at both sides of the coin. If Microsoft really decides to come out with Office for Linux, it will be
the best thing to happen to Linux since the Operating System has been in
existence. It isn't that there aren't other office suites for Linux. Or
that I'm a Microsoft fan! It's more of a perception issue that users have
which needs to be tackled. Many people interested in trying out Linux often want to know if their
favorite application runs on Linux. The most popular applications are Word
and Excel, since they've become the de facto Office suites under Windows.
People are more interested in knowing if these would run under Linux. They
often ask, "Does Microsoft Office run on Linux?" Most Windows users don't
really go around fiddling with the operating system, but use it only to
run the application. They aren't as interested in learning, or using, the
underlying OS. They're happy as long as their favorite application runs!
If Microsoft Office does run on Linux, it would probably compel these
users to switch to Linux. Does Microsoft have enough reasons to support an alternative platform?
Since the time Microsoft released Office for the Macintosh, it has now
become the de facto Office suite on the Mac platform. It also generates a
great deal of revenue for Microsoft. It makes good sense for them to
support Linux also because Linux is the fastest-growing OS and is already
making inroads into the desktop segment. But, right now, Microsoft may even be a little worried about Linux, since
it threatens their core OS business. That's probably why they're playing
a wait-and-watch game. Ever since Microsoft has been declared a monopoly, there've been strident
demands to separate the Applications Software Division from the Operating
System Division and spin them off as separate companies. Or, if things get worse for Microsoft, they would be split into several
"Baby Bills". This is likely to happen some time, but we yet don't know
when. At the time this column was written, this hadn't happened, so this
issue may be slightly out of date when you read this, though, somehow, I
don't think it might happen in a hurry. The reason being Microsoft will
try extremely hard to not allow this to happen and this will definitely
delay the issue. But, when it does, the Applications Software Division will be working
independently, as a separate company. It will support not only Windows,
but also all the other popular platforms, which hold revenue potential for
them. Remember, then it would also be competing with the Operating System
Division of Microsoft and other Office suites to survive on its own. If
that happens, Office for Linux will surely see the light of day. Now, the other side of the coin! If MS Office is not released for Linux,
other Office suites will gain in popularity. Among the top four Office
suites, two are already available for Linux - Corel Office and Star
Office. There are others, too, like Applixware. These suites are not only
very good but are getting better by the day. They offer enough features to
fill the appetite of most users. In fact, some of those features are not
even there in MS Office. If they continue on their popularity uptrend, we
might never need MS Office for Linux at all! And, even if Microsoft then decides to release its Office suite for Linux,
it will have a great deal of catching up to do in terms of market-share.
That's because, unlike Windows - where they have a lock over the operating
system and they have a monopoly - Linux is a fair playground! Prakash Advani is the Founder and CEO of FreeOS.com. He can be contacted
at prakash@freeos.com
Other articles by Prakash Advani
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