But beyond the public relations benefit that comes from embracing open source, IBM also wants to push the spread of Linux on commodity x86-based hardware. That would shaft both Microsoft and Sun, and open the door to more sales of expensive IBM applications like WebSphere, not to mention any attendant service contracts down the road. Can Big Blue pull it off? Keep in mind that this is an infinitely more capable company than the Keystone Cop outfit that introduced OS/2 and PS/2 on this date in 1987.
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Source: ZDnet