Linux expands beyond office into homes

Retired government worker Robert Biggs uses his computer mainly to get recipes and check e-mail. Public relations consultant Phil Gomes uses his to maintain an elaborate personal Web site.

The two have little in common -- except that their computers both run on the Linux operating system.

This fast-growing alternative to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows has taken off in the corporate world. Not only is Linux free and easy to customize, but it is also regarded as safer than Windows because fewer viruses are designed to attack it.

Now the platform has attracted a small but growing number of consumer enthusiasts.

Gomes, who lives in California's Silicon Valley, likes Linux because it is virtually virus-free. He also enjoys some of the free software that works on the platform.

Meanwhile, another sophisticated user helped Biggs make the switch from Windows to Linux.

The Columbus, Ohio, resident began using the newer operating system when his son John, technology editor of Laptop Magazine, installed it on his $129 Pentium III computer after it was attacked by viruses.

"John inspired me," Biggs said. "He loves Linux."

Biggs said he himself is happy with Linux, particularly with the browsing features of Mozilla, an alternative to Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

Mozilla's Firefox browser has tabbed browsing, which allows multiple pages to be open on one screen, and has a reputation for blocking pop-up ads better than Internet Explorer. Experts also said Mozilla, which can be downloaded for free, is more secure than the Microsoft browser.

(MSNBC is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.)

Linux, developed by volunteers around the world who coordinated their efforts using the Internet, looks quite similar to Windows and offers computing power similar to that of the more costly Unix operating system, which is used mainly by businesses.

A number of personal-computer manufacturers, notably Hewlett-Packard Co., have begun offering Linux PCs. But so far consumers have been slow to accept Linux, mostly because they do not want to bother learning a new system.

Transferring files from a Linux PC to a Windows computer might also result in some glitches. And some popular software, such as computer games and tax preparation programs, is still based on Windows.

"A couple of applications on desktops need to be there before consumers jump on the bandwagon," said Efrain Rovira, worldwide director of Linux marketing for Hewlett-Packard, which in August became the first major hardware vendor to roll out Linux desktops and laptops. "We are doing experiments to get ready."

Technology research firm IDC expects the combined market for Linux desktops, servers, and packaged software to grow by an average 26 percent a year, reaching $35.7 billion by 2008. By then, the market for new and redeployed PCs running Linux is expected to grow to 17 million units worth $10 billion.

"Once you have about 8 to 10 percent of the market, you will see somewhat an explosion of people running it at home," said Timothy Tuck, owner of computer services provider Pervasive Netwerks. "Once they see all the problems going away on their work computer, they want a system as stable and secure as they use at work."

Pervasive helped a Hayward, California, pharmacy switch to Linux to avoid an expensive Windows upgrade. After a while, the drugstore owner adopted Linux at home when he saw that he no longer was plagued by computer viruses at work.

Wal-Mart Stores, the world's largest retailer, now carries four versions of Linux-based computers in its online store and said the response from customers has been good. Priced from $199.98 to $598, they are all made by City of Industry, California-based Microtel.

Another computer maker, Linare of Seattle -- where Microsoft is based -- said it sells thousands of Linux machines every month.

"Linux has not been marketed aggressively to consumers," said FTN Midwest Research analyst Trip Chowdhry. "But once you see it on the shelves, it may change. People are becoming more cost-conscious now."

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