It takes a lot of patience to read a giant corporation’s financial filings, let alone compare this year’s version to last year’s. But ZDNet’s Ed Bott has done just that to Microsoft’s 10-K second quarter report, and discovered something most interesting: The company no longer views Linux as a threat.
In case you’re unfamiliar with financial reports, there’s a section where management is obligated to report any possible threats to revenues, including competitive pressures. Last year and earlier filings discussed Linux as a competitor to Windows. This year’s doesn’t mention Linux and says Windows faces competition “mainly” from Apple and Google.
In addition, in the sentence noting that other devices may reduce usage of PCs, the word “consumer” has been removed–acknowledging that tablets (and perhaps thin clients like Google’s Chromebooks) are making inroads in the business market.
Fascinating what you can find in the fine print. Read more at ZDNet.
