In regard to .Net and similar things, NOW is targeted at local area networks. We're not out to turn the Internet into one huge system and infrastructure for delivering applications and whatnot. We just want to improve how local area networks are managed and used. That's a big market with a huge need. I think industry acceptance is vital to making an impact, and Linux is certainly making an impact.
Technology is only useful if it's used.
Linux NOW is a very ambitious effort. It's going to be later this year before the complete NOW system is available, and even then it will be a preliminary release. That being said, Linux NOW is an open source project, and we'll be releasing pieces of the system as they are finished. Progeny Debian is the first piece, and it's available now. The filesystem, which is the centerpiece of NOW, will be available by summer.