Microsoft rivals return to the fray armed with Linux

“After years of watching Microsoft Corp consolidate its power, a band of software rivals is trying to build a beachhead in desktop computers.

Their chief weapon is the Linux operating system, which is popular in back-office computers called servers yet has generally flopped in personal computers. But a combination of technology improvements, economic pressures and a change in Microsoft’s pricing is increasing the appeal of Linux-based PCs in some business settings, such as customer-service centres, stores and factories.”