I counter by noting that users have undergone several generational shifts even within the Microsoft platform arena in just 10 years. I could make the claim that the differences between either of these shifts are more than the differences between Windows 9x and KDE running atop any modern Linux distro. These are all merely signs of a monopoly at work. The invincible marketing prowess begets the monopoly in the first place, and this is what we'll concentrate on debunking here. I believe the open source paradigm is presently on course to dominate the technological dialogue between platforms and consumers.
Open source offers too many obvious and compelling advantages to whatever has come before.
This is slowly being borne out by serious analyses such as the recent studies by Bloor Research, which have shown that Linux beats NT under almost all technical criteria. It is in the area of 'marketing' where we need to map out strategies and tactics. In short, to guarantee the continued survival and success of Linux and other open source platforms and projects. We have come a very long way, but long-term viability and success is not yet guaranteed. We need to gain users, applications, drivers and ongoing growth.