Professionals wary but begin to embrace Linux

Microsoft has received a wake up call over its dominant position in desktop operating systems now that Sun, IBM, Compaq and others have banded together in the Gnome foundation to popularise Linux.

Respondents to this week's Computer Weekly/Harvey Nash Big Question were split over whether or not they would be prepared to abandon Windows in favour of open source environments.

One IT manager said he would be prepared to adopt Linux, but added, "We have such an investment in Windows NT that there would need to be a strong business case to change."