If Linux is the clear-cut winner in the desktop security shoot-out, why have enterprise users been so slow in migrating from Windows? The availability of niche applications in corporate environments is still the major inhibitor to mainstream adoption, he noted.

However, that situation could soon change for both corporate and small-business users. Cherry sees signs that IT decision makers are considering the Linux alternative in the face of the Vista introduction. Many IT managers are incorporating plans to move their niche applications to Linux, he disclosed.

Based on a recent OSDL Desktop Linux Working Group survey and feedback from the desktop community, the main factor preventing the widespread adoption of the Linux desktop in the workplace is application availability.

"If an organization has significantly invested in a Microsoft-centric IT infrastructure, introduction of non-Microsoft products on the desktop remains problematic due to the limited support for open standards in this kind of infrastructure," Cherry explained.

The survey's conclusions noted that open source developers have already created replacement programs for all the essential business needs. Those considering a switch to Linux, however, do not want to leave their favored Windows applications.