An increasing number of users are considering Linux as an alternative to Microsoft for their desktop software.

The open source operating system can be downloaded for free on the internet and is supported by a range of complementary applications.

Vendors such as Sun Microsystems are preparing to offer packaged open-source desktops that do not need Windows. But research from analyst Gartner suggests that Linux may not be as attractive an option as its supporters claim.

Rather than being a cheap alternative to Windows, Gartner says that most users should not expect to reduce costs by migrating to Linux on the desktop.

Should the sensible choice be to avoid a Linux operating system on the desktop? vnunet.com's sister title Computing investigates the issues.

Who will support open source software if I want to use it on PCs?
Specialist suppliers such as Red Hat already offer desktop Linux versions. Sun Microsystems is also keen to push further into open source and is about to release a host of further commitments to the operating system.

The supplier already has a number of high-profile customers for StarOffice, its open source-based rival to Microsoft Office, including the Central Scotland Police and Texas Instruments.

Sun is also keen to offer its software through major PC manufacturers. In December 2002, it announced that StarOffice would be bundled with Sony's desktop computer systems in Europe.

But isn't Linux just a techie system only for servers?
Long gone are the days when Linux was the highbrow preserve of a couple of technical experts in the systems support team. The open source operating system is now being tested and implemented by public and private sector companies across Europe and the US.

"The rate of progress is scary - it's good enough in many areas," says Graham Bird, vice president of marketing at The Open Group. 'Developments across other areas of enterprise usage are happening quickly."

On the desktop, Linux is beginning to power thin-client computing systems. The Red Hat 9 Linux operating system can be used on a wireless laptop. Linux remains a powerful option for many business users.

"If you're running a transactional system, with a web front-end and a web browser, Linux works well," says Bird.

So what's the problem?
Before any migration to Linux is implemented on the desktop, Gartner suggests that users gain a full understanding of the total cost of ownership (TCO).

The analyst says that enterprises should look beyond the initial costs of implementation. Linux can be downloaded for free, but Gartner suggests that the TCO makes the operating system more expensive.

"Linux costs more because of end-user support costs," says Brian Gammage, Gartner's vice president of client computing. "It's new to the enterprise, and the costs of that support are more than the savings made from initial implementation."

How come it costs more to support Linux?
Gartner says that companies migrating to Linux must create a casual support network among users, and provide formal training.

Another cost comes from software. Gammage says that users serious about deploying Linux should use a commercial version of the system, rather than a freely available copy.

Commercial software, of course, means that companies will incur upgrade and support expenses. Gartner estimates that the annual TCO of an enterprise Windows XP Desktop is £5,230, compared with £5,480 for Linux.

"You need to ensure that things are sustainable and accountable. The hype around open source sometimes gets lost in anti-Microsoft sentiment," says Gammage.

"It is ready for certain uses. It tends to get hyped for government contracts, but the most successful deployments of Linux are for commercial uses in a closed domain."

Gartner admits that many Linux systems are dedicated to running a single application. And in many of these cases, it has been easy for companies to replace specific servers, such as a web server, with Linux.

Insurance services supplier LVM installed a Linux-powered, thin-client system to give partner agencies up-to-date data access.

"Working in a closed business can make Linux cheap," says Gammage. "But the big cost with the system is interoperability."

Interoperability? Can Linux and Microsoft work together?
It can be a challenge for the Linux user working with external users who run different desktop operating systems with Microsoft-based applications.

Microsoft and Linux systems use different source code and data structures. The knowledge worker who uses Linux and wishes to run Microsoft data must convert information from the Microsoft source.

CodeWeaver's CrossOver Office package helps users run Windows-based applications in a Linux environment.

This type of initiative helps, but interoperability inevitability hinders the Linux knowledge worker.

What does the open-source community think about interoperability?
"If you work with other systems and programs, interoperability and conversion is still a problem," says Bird. "If you're using simple stuff it's fine, but complex macros make it difficult."

The open source community says that open standards could be the key to interoperability. While Linux's source code is freely available and adaptable, Microsoft keeps its code close to its chest.

"If users want to transfer data between different databases, they need standard data formats to aid interoperability," says Bird. "f Microsoft was to document file formats between its software, life would become a lot easier."

Could Microsoft help on this one?
While users are keen for the software giant to release its code, Gartner says that the IT community hould remember that Microsoft is a commercial company and has a responsibility to its shareholders.

For its part, Microsoft says that its latest operating systems, such as Windows XP and 2003, are more nteroperable. These systems take advantage of XML and allow the user to work with other commercial programmes.

Brad Tipp, Microsoft Windows specialist systems engineer, says: "The most important thing is that we don't have our information put into islands, and one of Microsoft's strengths is that we interoperate with other systems."

Who's going to win?
It's probably not as black as white as that. Gartner estimates that only one per cent of desktop users currently use Linux, but the noise emanating from these individuals is becoming louder.

"It's not a massive explosion but it's growing at an increasing rate," says Mark Littlewood, Sun's UK entry server product marketing manager.

Users expecting to make a choice between the two desktop operating systems need to use their common sense and consider the host environment, TCO and interoperability.

What do you think? Email us at feedback@computing.co.uk or call the hotline on (020) 7316 9744.