--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't try to be a threat to MicroSoft…" description: "\"I don't try to be a threat to MicroSoft, mainly because I don't really see MS as competition. Especially not Windows-the goals of Linux and Windows are..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/linus-torvalds-1512_competition_i-don-t-try-to-be-a-threat-to-microsoft_796990.jpg" --- # I don't try to be a threat to MicroSoft, mainly because I… ![“I don't try to be a threat to MicroSoft, mainly because I don't really see MS as competition. Especially not Windows-the goals of Linux and Windows are simply so different.” quote by Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/linus-torvalds-1512_competition_i-don-t-try-to-be-a-threat-to-microsoft_796990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/linus-torvalds-1512_competition_i-don-t-try-to-be-a-threat-to-microsoft_796990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/linus-torvalds-1512_competition_i-don-t-try-to-be-a-threat-to-microsoft_796990.jpg) > “I don't try to be a threat to MicroSoft, mainly because I don't really see MS as competition. Especially not Windows-the goals of Linux and Windows are simply so different.” [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He sees Linux and Windows as fundamentally different, so competition is irrelevant **In simple terms:** Linux and Windows serve distinct purposes Key Takeaway Focus on strengths, not rivalry Themes technology competition strategy Mood reflective analytical Type statement opinion When to use this quote - software development - market analysis - product positioning Key Concepts open source platform differentiation Questions to Reflect On - How do you define competition in tech? - Can divergent goals coexist peacefully? A Different Perspective Different goals may still intersect in user expectations ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Goals Linux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-linux-6109903/) [Linux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/linux/) [Linux Windows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/linux-windows-6109904/) [Microsoft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/microsoft/) [Microsoft Mainly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/microsoft-mainly-6109901/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat/) [Windows Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/windows-goals-6109902/) ## Related quotes > [I'm interested in Linux because of the technology, and Linux wasn't started as any kind of rebellion against the 'evil Microsoft empire.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-m-interested-in-linux-because-of-the-technology-and-linux-wasn-t/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [If Microsoft ever does applications for Linux it means I've won.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/if-microsoft-ever-does-applications-for-linux-it-means-i-ve-won/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I do believe that in a race, it is naive to think Linux has a hope of making a dent against Microsoft starting from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-p-thompson/i-do-believe-that-in-a-race-it-is-naive-to-think-linux-has-a-hope-of/) [Kenneth P. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-p-thompson/) > [I have a G4 at home. Theyre great machines for individual users, and I even know a few core Linux hackers who are having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-friedman/i-have-a-g4-at-home-theyre-great-machines-for-individual-users-and-i/) [Nat Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-friedman/) > [The real threat to Linux adoption is Apple, not Microsoft. If you didn't know, now you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-c-gordon/the-real-threat-to-linux-adoption-is-apple-not-microsoft-if-you-didn/) [Ryan C. Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-c-gordon/) > [Microsoft loves Linux.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satya-nadella/microsoft-loves-linux/) [Satya Nadella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satya-nadella/) > [Microsoft is not the answer. Microsoft is the question. NO is the answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-naggum/microsoft-is-not-the-answer-microsoft-is-the-question-no-is-the-answer/) [Erik Naggum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-naggum/) > [A couple of years ago this guy called Ken Brown wrote a book saying that Linus stole Linux from me It later came out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-s-tanenbaum/a-couple-of-years-ago-this-guy-called-ken-brown-wrote-a-book-saying/) [Andrew S. Tanenbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-s-tanenbaum/) > [I view Linux as something that's not Microsoft - a backlash against Microsoft, no more and no less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-thompson/i-view-linux-as-something-that-s-not-microsoft-a-backlash-against/) [Ken Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-thompson/) > [Linux people do what they do because they hate Microsoft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-de-raadt/linux-people-do-what-they-do-because-they-hate-microsoft/) [Theo de Raadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-de-raadt/) > [I think that Microsoft will increasingly feel margin pressure from Linux as well as people saying: well actually the applications that really matter to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-reilly/i-think-that-microsoft-will-increasingly-feel-margin-pressure-from/) [Tim O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-reilly/) > [I started Linux as a desktop operating system. And it's the only area where Linux hasn't completely taken over. That just annoys the hell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-started-linux-as-a-desktop-operating-system-and-it-s-the-only-area/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [That's what makes Linux so good: you put in something, and that effort multiplies. It's a positive feedback cycle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/that-s-what-makes-linux-so-good-you-put-in-something-and-that-effort/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I try to avoid long-range plans and visions - that way I can more easily deal with anything new that comes up without having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-try-to-avoid-long-range-plans-and-visions-that-way-i-can-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I've never regretted not making Linux shareware: I really don't like the pay for use binary shareware programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-ve-never-regretted-not-making-linux-shareware-i-really-don-t-like/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## More by Linus Torvalds > [Once you realize that documentation should be laughed at, peed upon, put on fire, and just ridiculed in general, then, and only then, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/once-you-realize-that-documentation-should-be-laughed-at-peed-upon/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think, fundamentally, open source does tend to be more stable software. It's the right way to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-fundamentally-open-source-does-tend-to-be-more-stable/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I used to be interested in Windows NT, but the more I see it, the more it looks like traditional Windows with a stabler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-used-to-be-interested-in-windows-nt-but-the-more-i-see-it-the-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think that freely available software can not only keep up with the evolution of commercial software, but often exceed what you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-that-freely-available-software-can-not-only-keep-up-with-the/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Programmers are in the enviable position of not only getting to do what they want to, but because the end result is so important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/programmers-are-in-the-enviable-position-of-not-only-getting-to-do/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The NIH syndrome (Not Invented Here) is a disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-nih-syndrome-not-invented-here-is-a-disease/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The correct form factor for a laptop is obviously 12" and 2 lbs, and I don't understand why everybody gets that wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-correct-form-factor-for-a-laptop-is-obviously-12-and-2-lbs-and-i/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Hmmm, completely a-religious - atheist. I find that people seem to think religion brings morals and appreciation of nature. I actually think it detracts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/hmmm-completely-a-religious-atheist-i-find-that-people-seem-to-think/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [People will realize that software is not a product; you use it to build a product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/people-will-realize-that-software-is-not-a-product-you-use-it-to/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I claim that Mach people (and apparently FreeBSD) are incompetent idiots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-claim-that-mach-people-and-apparently-freebsd-are-incompetent-idiots/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [There are "extremists" in the free software world, but that's one major reason why I don't call what I do "free software" any more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/there-are-extremists-in-the-free-software-world-but-that-s-one-major/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Real quality means making sure that people are proud of the code they write, that they're involved and taking it personally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/real-quality-means-making-sure-that-people-are-proud-of-the-code-they/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I have one very basic rule when it comes to "good ideas". A good idea is not an idea that solves a problem cleanly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-have-one-very-basic-rule-when-it-comes-to-good-ideas-a-good-idea-is/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I've never regretted not making Linux shareware: I really don't like the pay for use binary shareware programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-ve-never-regretted-not-making-linux-shareware-i-really-don-t-like/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Modern PCs are horrible. ACPI is a complete design disaster in every way. But we're kind of stuck with it. If any Intel people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/modern-pcs-are-horrible-acpi-is-a-complete-design-disaster-in-every/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) [Explore all 233 Linus Torvalds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## More Competition quotes > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [People think that the Club World Cup is an easy competition, but it's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keylor-navas/people-think-that-the-club-world-cup-is-an-easy-competition-but-it-s/) [Keylor Navas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keylor-navas/) > [If you ask another competitor, they may tell you they felt very competitive towards me. But I can tell you that my biggest competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-kwan/if-you-ask-another-competitor-they-may-tell-you-they-felt-very/) [Michelle Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-kwan/) > [“At times, competition can be a good thing. But a person's value isn't something that can be ranked, is it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hotaru-odagiri/at-times-competition-can-be-a-good-thing-but-a-person-s-value-isn-t/) [Hotaru Odagiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hotaru-odagiri/) > [Our competition has always been anything that is wasting your time when you're bored at work. In a broad sense. We want people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-ohanian/our-competition-has-always-been-anything-that-is-wasting-your-time/) [Alexis Ohanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-ohanian/) > [I've always considered making it legal for Americans to import their prescription drugs a free-trade issue. Imports create competition and keep domestic industry more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-grassley/i-ve-always-considered-making-it-legal-for-americans-to-import-their/) [Chuck Grassley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-grassley/) > [Honestly, we’ll compete with everybody. I love competition. As long as people invent their own stuff, I love competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/honestly-we-ll-compete-with-everybody-i-love-competition-as-long-as/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [The "health, education, and welfare" section of government is another boondoggle. First we manufacture indigent and superfluous people by legal monopolies in land, money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurance-labadie/the-health-education-and-welfare-section-of-government-is-another/) [Laurance Labadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurance-labadie/) > [I try to keep up with everything - all wrestling across the board. I want to know what the competition is doing, what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hardy/i-try-to-keep-up-with-everything-all-wrestling-across-the-board-i/) [Matt Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hardy/) > [Sometimes in England, people look down at the Europa League, but being from the continent, I've always realised what an important competition it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mignolet/sometimes-in-england-people-look-down-at-the-europa-league-but-being/) [Simon Mignolet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mignolet/) > [“There is a scene in one of the Rocky movies where after the match Apollo Creed and Rocky are waiting for the scoring of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-passaro/there-is-a-scene-in-one-of-the-rocky-movies-where-after-the-match/) [John A. Passaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-passaro/) > [I've always written. When I was in school, the only teacher who ever liked me was my creative writing teacher. I used to enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-townes-earle/i-ve-always-written-when-i-was-in-school-the-only-teacher-who-ever/) [Justin Townes Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-townes-earle/) > [Competition between men is a fuel that's useful to us. We have to be careful that it doesn't tell the same story over too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-irwin/competition-between-men-is-a-fuel-that-s-useful-to-us-we-have-to-be/) [Bill Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-irwin/) [Browse all 3,894 Competition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't try to be a threat to MicroSoft, mainly because I don't really see MS as competition. 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