Microsoft and Linux: staying even

I haven't typically given much credence to open source on the desktop, despite some promising hiccups in the past from Linux and Lindows. The desktop is just owned too solidly by Microsoft, and for good reason.

Microsoft understands the average user, and generally delivers what that user wants.

However, a new Yankee Group study shows that Linux is definitely gaining mindshare.

According to the study, there's now very little difference between the cost of maintaining a Windows versus a Linux machine.

"The main cost difference," said Yankee Group analyst Laura DiDio, "is determined by the amount of time it takes to develop applications or ensure the security of servers, the networked computers that store data, crunch numbers and serve up Web pages. What we found is that costs are not really dependent on the underlying functionality in the core operating system."

Of course, the Linux people won't tout one of the main findings, which is that 88 percent of respondents said that the quality, performance and reliability of Windows was equal to or better than Linux.

However, Linux still beats Microsoft in terms of perceived security (8.3 versus MS's 7.6 rating).

And just like I said yesterday, there's no compelling reason to go for Windows.