Would Microsoft really bring Office to Linux? - greenoury1954

There's been a rumor floating around over the past few days that Microsoft is considering making a Linux variation of its Office productivity software.

It's emphatically no more than a rumor at this point, originating as it apparently did in the report of a single writer based on hearsay at the Free and Open source Software Developers' Continent Meeting (FOSDEM) in Brussels concluding weekend.

"I was informed that Microsoft is having a 'meaningful look' at a full Linux left of Office thanks to Linux showing signs of commercial viability along the desktop," wrote Michael Larabel in a Tuesday post on Phoronix, a Linux-focused newsworthiness land site, citing an unnamed source.

'Rumors Oregon speculation'

The rumor immediately took off from at that place, and now IT's all over the Web. Could IT be true?

Well, I've reached bent Microsoft, just—not surprisingly—all I got was this in an email:

"Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation." – Microsoft Spokesperson

That's pretty much what I matter-of-course. Now that I've got it, however, let's just state I'm sledding to need some convincing that this rumor might really reflect reality.

Feeling the pinch?

Now, there's nobelium denying that Linux is more and more being viewed as commercially viable.

Perhaps almost notably, Valve is today beta-examination a native Steam guest for Linux, causation no end of excitement for Linux gamers everywhere and apparently exalting similar moves by other game makers. Last year was a precise big year for Linux there, and some are even suggesting that Linux could be the next bragging gaming platform.

That's an "ouch" for Microsoft's already uncertain play lay.

Then, too, there has been the growing number of hardware vendors coming out with PCs that offer Linux preloaded—not to reference the ever-expanding Chromebook phenomenon.

Not at all good for Windows.

It's true, in truncate, that Microsoft is probably feeling the pinch of Linux's development acceptance; if you can't beat up 'em, as the past saying goes, you mightiness as well join 'em. After whol, Microsoft was recently a LinuxCon sponsor, among other contributions.

(Phoronix's Larabel was also the one who basic picked up on Valve's plans, Eastern Samoa far as I remember.)

Cost vs. benefit

On the other hand, Microsoft Office has forever been a capacious moneymaker for the society, and the new Office 2022 and Federal agency 365 are still hot away the proverbial presses.

Information technology's already the case that some users are questioning whether these recent entries are worth the money, particularly in light of all the free and open alternatives out there and widely embraced away Linux users.

Microsoft also doesn't exactly rich person a history of embracement Linux. A "cancer," in fact, is what Steve Ballmer once called the free people and vulnerable source OS. Even OpenOffice has felt Redmond's anti-open-source ire.

Would Redmond really take such a step to expand the base of Office users at the cost of eliminating hitherto another hook to keep users on Windows?

What about Chrome OS?

That's far from clear. At best, the nigh I can foresee is that Microsoft might offer a version of its web browser-based Agency 365 for Linux users.

An even better theme, though, could be to port wine Office to Chrome Osmium and thereby "ride connected the Chromebook's coattails," as Linux Advocates blogger Dietrich Schmitz recently recommended. That, successively, "would break them entrée to the Chromebook market of extensions," Schmitz spindle-shaped out.

Do you think Microsoft would bring Post to Linux? Delight sensible off in the comments.

Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/456779/would-microsoft-really-bring-office-to-linux.html

Posted by: greenoury1954.blogspot.com

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