Is Apple worried about Linux or open source communities?

If it weren't the necessary self disclosure of "anything can happen" for an SEC filing, and I was one of those "let's you and him fight" mud-slinging types, I would say this was a bit of FUD from Redmond hoping to stir discontent between friends, because, the Penguin and the Apple, actually I think they are quite glad that each are around, and symbiotically boost each others offerings. So if I were a blame thrower, should I blame the media, instead, for sowing gloom and doom where none exists?

It is a fact that Linux is a Mac competitor. If someone's choice of OS is motivated by anti-MS hysteria, then Apple and Linux are most likely the two primary alternatives. For Windows users, Linux has a big advantage: You don't need to buy new hardware to use it. I'm a Mac user with lots of Windows and Linux experience. I've every intention of staying with Apple. But...the only thing keeping Linux from whacking Steve Jobs across the forehead is its seeming inability to focus on the desktop. If it ever does, Apple needs to pay attetion.

The bigger issue is that apple is a hardware company. That's why it doesn't matter if people can install Windows or Linux on Intel PowerBooks: Apple will still be selling PowerBooks. Not only is their operating system gorgeous, but their hardware is beautiful and functional. Since (for the most part) the only way of getting the Mac OS is to buy a Mac, it doesn't matter what people do with the computer afterwards, Apple has already made its money.

If a Linux compny wanted to make a serious run at the desktop market, they could. They just couldn't do it with anything that's out there now. Just like OS X built itself on a Unix core, a new desktop OS could be built off a Linux core. But it can't be based on Gnome or KDE. It needs the same types of things OS X brings to the table. A nice, easy to use GUI and simple installation of applications for example. The problem ALL desktop Linux vendors run into is that they are trying to turn a server OS into a desktop. Not a good idea. Linux has zero ease of use. If a company made an entire new desktop and a standard for packaging and installing applications then they could make a go of it. You don't have to give up the power tools of *nix to make a Linux-based desktop. OS X does this with grace and beauty. It runs a modern GUI on a powerful core. If I want to run X applications on top, I can. Linux actually should have a huge advantage here simply because it's already PC-based. It could run Microsoft apps via WINE with little problem. This now gives it an advantage over current Apple offerings (not for long though). It gives businesses a reason to switch to something sans-Microsoft. Apple can't yet do that. Once businesses take hold, home users will follow. As to Apple listing them as competition, sure they are. Does anything think they aren't? That doesn't mean they are huge competition or good competition. But as they are in the same market space, they are competition nonetheless.

Linux was not completely able to evolve for the desktop market, due to lack of end-user applications and variety of hardware support. It is becoming dominant in the Mid-range servers category and this is probably where Apple is facing competitions for their Xserve systems. Linux will have to become as mature and advanced as OSX inorder to become popular in the desktop segment, so as far as this segment is concerned, my opinion is Apple's only competition is the PCs(technically), but morally PCs cannot even compete with Apple for their meagre features.

Well, I am a Windows to Linux to Mac switcher. Personally, I don't think they have to worry about Linux. I like Linux, but got to the point in my life where I don't have time to babysit it. I seriously doubt Linux will ever be able to surpass the ease of use of OSX.

I think apple should be happy about the growth of linux and should perhaps even encourage it (release QuickTime or iTunes for Linux). The more people become aware that there is life after Windows the more they will consider Apple as an alternative. Too many people nowadays just don't think they have a choice. If Linux makes them realise they do, then there's always a chance some of them will buy a mac.

Yea, silicon.com seems mostly to be written by 14-year old boys or at least they have tech writers who seem to have industry experience going all the way back to 2001. SEC requirements are pretty strict these days so when you err on the side of caution and list every possible scenrio and competition - no matter how scant because otherwise if it does comes true, some stockholders will surly file a class action lawsuit that you were a dunderhead.