A recent ComputerWorld article titled "Windows 7: The Linux Killer" has been getting a lot of attention. The article basically argues that Microsoft's vulnerability to Linux comes entirely from netbooks and that Windows 7 is designed to and will take over the netbook market. On one point I agree, on one point I disagree, and on one point I think we just have to wait and see.

Perhaps it's inevitable -- people react strongly to hyperbole, it gets them talking, it makes them curious, it's a quick way of making a subject hot.

Linux and Mac users alike will both know that Windows has by far the lion's share of the computer gaming market... However, I believe that from an architectural point of view, Windows is not the best platform for gaming. I

OS and browser stats have just been published for August, showing that Windows 7 continues to grow its market share even though it still hasn't been launched.

Microsoft makes for an unlikely David, and Linux an even unlikelier Goliath — but here we are. A few years ago, Linux was positioned as the “Windows killer.” Now, as Microsoft is ramping up its efforts in the netbook market, Windows 7 is being positioned as the Linux killer. Interesting that Microsoft is being cast as an underdog here, albeit one with about 70% of the netbook market.

The above graph shows the OS stats for W3C since March, 2003. Side-stepping the debate over whether the stats are an accurate representation of the OS share, I'd like to look at the trends.

Well here we go, stirring the hornet’s nest again. Linux over Windows or is it Windows over Linux? Agree or disagree, advocates for both have something to say that linux-logomakes it better than the other. Why? These are two sides of the same coin but we all know that heads are the favorites over tails, right? So, let the arguments begin.

I don't understand it. When it comes to Windows, everything either sucks or is the best thing in the world according to the press. There seems to be no intermediate point, despite the fact that that is where most Windows releases would fit. Recently, I have been getting very tired of anything with the words "Windows 7," "killer," and "linux," no matter what order those appear in.

We're told Linux is the only OS with a growing market share: Windows and Mac OS X actually shrank. The Net Applications report also shows Windows 7 already dwarfing all versions of Mac OS combined.