Focus On: Linux

It's Groupware Armageddon as IBM unveils a rebate program designed to prevent Microsoft Exchange with Outlook from steamrolling IBM's Domino 7 with Lotus Notes. IBM's rebating properly-certified dealers, while Microsoft's discounting to anybody who shows up with cash. IBM's spending hundreds of millions to get the word out, while Redmond's dropping a half-billion. Beyond that, Email Battles says, conclusions get pretty easy.

Windows partisans often rant that Linux aficionados are the driving force behind Firefox's rapid ascent. Although the concept offers a certain amount of solace to Internet Explorer fans, the truth may be more ominous for Microsoft. Email Battles analyzes its web traffic and concludes that the biggest block of Firefox adopters come from the Windows camp. Looks like Redmond has its work cut out for it.

The Microsoft-bought results of Security Innovation's "Windows vs Linux" comparison were predictable. (Have you ever known the Redmond gang to come up short in a study it funded?) Unfortunately, this effort was even more transparent than most.