Readers: The European Union's Anti-Microsoft Decision Irrelevant To LinuxReaders: The European Union's Anti-Microsoft Decision Irrelevant To Linux

Most respondents to our Voting Booth reader poll said the European Union's anti-Microsoft decision will be irrelevant to Linux adopton.

We asked: "The European Union slapped Microsoft with a $613 million fine for abuse of its market dominance, and ordered the company to change its business practice. Will the decision drive further Linux popularity?"

Responses:

- No, it's irrelevant. Linux adoption will proceed regardless of the EU decision.
71% - 166 votes out of 234.

- Yes, the decision will help make Linux more popular.
19% - 45 votes.

- No, the decision will actually slow Linux adoption, by making Windows more competitive.
10% - 23 votes

Here are some comments from readers, edited by Linux Pipeline for readability. Comments are posted anonymously:

"It's just an anti-American attempt to lower [the European trade] deficit with the U.S. and appease their anti-American constituents. Has nothing to do with Microsoft."

"The decision should create an environment which increases independent software and hardware choices for computer buyers, users and administrators."

"The fine will have no effect on Linux and will not harm Microsoft at all. The fine in no way diminishes the gains they made from their financial practices. What seems like a huge fine to any other company is probably less than what Microsoft had allocated in the event they got caught. The legality of these matters mean nothing when the profits are greater than the punishment."

"The 'stiff' fines are a drop in the bucket for Microsoft, and I would venture to guess it will be business as usual for the company. It may be forced to unbundle its Media Player, but it is a small price to pay when you consider the dominance of Windows. When a version of Linux emerges that has a stable desktop (KDE or Gnome) and an easy-to-use-installer to make it feel like Windows to the average user, then Linux will begin to make headway into the mainstream desktop market."

Read the rest of the comments, uncensored and unedited.

Answer today's Voting Booth question: Is the Sun-Microsoft alliance anti-Linux?