﻿# This got me thinking

<datetime class="hidden">2004-01-26T00:00</datetime>
<!-- category -- mostlylucidcouk, Imported, Open Source, Software Development -->

Perhaps a true revolution is starting, [this
article](http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.06/view.html?pg=5) from Wired basically points out that despite having significantly
fewer resources, Apple is still surviving - and prospering. This got me to thinking,
the Open Source movement thus far has been largely disorganised - there are exceptions,
Apache and Linux being notable exceptions. If the Open Source labour force becomes
organised and focussed on providing cohesive, real applications life could get interesting
for the likes of Microsoft. Take a look at projects like [Evolution](http://www.ximian.com/products/evolution/),
basically an email client which duplicates the functionality provided by Outlook on
the PC - well thats' how it started, its' now surpassing the MS client in a number
of ways - the Groupware features being just one of them. 

If Linux gets its' act together and focusses the project on providing a usable, simple
experience - as Apple has done with OSX for the PPC platform - it will rule,
the problem as I see it is that there's too many 'enthusiasts' working on the project
and it lacks real direction right now. I just wish some enterprising company would
really take on doing for the x86 platform what Apple did for the PPC - Apple just
isn't going to do it for the x86, the support costs and driver dev costs would be
huge! Could be interesting times ahead...