Corel was also showing off its Linux versions of WordPerfect Office 8,a fully functioned suite of programs that is every bit as good as the latestversion of the Microsoft Office suite. If that was not bad enough forMicrosoft, the topic of downloadable applications reared it head. SunMicrosystems, whose CEO, Scot McNealy, launched a blistering attack on Microsoftonce again at Comdex, is whipping up support for it StarOffice product. While Gates'presentation was well received, Torvalds' was rapturous It was more like areligious revival meeting. In comparison, Gates' glossy performance oozed withsmarketing hype. During Torvalds' presentation, John "Maddog" Hall toldthe audience that he thought of young Linus as his son. It says something thatmost found this touchingly honest and not pap. More than one hard bitten hack wasseen wiping a tear from their eye. But the Linux revolution is not allabout emotion, it is about an emerging new world - a world free ofMicrosoft.
While Gates gave the main keynote for the umpteenth year running, LinusTorvalds, the creator of Linux, was also invited to give a keynote. Others are alsomoving into this space. At Comdex the Linux revolution was really in fullspate. The only major gripe users have withLinux is that it is a bit of a pig to install Step forward venerable Canadiansoftware giant Corel. It's release of Linux, christened "Linux for the Rest ofUs", is apparently as easy or easier to instal than Windows. Its Windows 2000 operatingsystem was supposed to be released months ago and, into this vacuum, trouble ispouring Linux is moving forward with speed.
They were very supportive. In fact, Gates was on surprisingly good form but he will need all the optimismhe can muster because one thing was startlingly clear at Comdex: Microsoft isunder threat as never before. Around Gates swirl trends set to knock himoff his perch. The challenges came in three main arenas - from Linux camethe inevitable onslaught on Microsoft's operating systems, then there are avariety of approaches nibbling into its "PC anywhere" approach and finally thereare half a dozen factors picking at its hugely profitable applicationsmarket. This should have been Microsoft's show. In the US, Gates is still very muchadmired and they knew the US government is on the verge of clipping Microsoft'swings - possibly by breaking the company up. With some 200,000 capitalists, geeks and marketeers converging on thefantasy-land in the desert that is Las Vegas, one thing was obvious.
Even if BillGates is not paranoid, the world does seem to be out to get him. "Anyoneknow any good lawyer jokes," quipped the Microsoft chairman as he strode on thestage to address the 8,000 people who had packed into a massive Las Vegas hall tohear him They laughed appreciatively. Microsoft must be reeling after this year's massive Comdexshow. With some 200,000 capitalists, geeks and marketeers converging on thefantasy-land in the desert that is Las Vegas, one thing was obvious. Even if BillGates is not paranoid, the world does seem to be out to get him.