Plugging the Linux holes

You can easily surf the Web and run a spreadsheet on a Linux-powered PC, but good luck if you want to balance your checkbook. The open-source operating system has yet to attract significant attention from makers of major desktop applications, such as Adobe Systems, Macromedia or Intuit, maker of the popular Quicken personal finance program. This lack of notice is a sticking point even for Linux visionaries such as Bruce Perens. "I admit it--I still have a Windows machine that I use solely to run Quicken and TurboTax once a year," Perens said.

Software makers, open-source backers and analysts disagree on whether desktop Linux can thrive without applications such as Quicken and Adobe's Photoshop. Some are confident home-grown Linux applications will evolve to meet such needs, while others say Linux versions of familiar software tools are essential for converting people from Windows.

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