AHH . . . yes, Linux. The so-called liberator of the operating system industry, promising to let us break free from the fetters of Microsoft Corp. Almost a decade after Linus Torvalds came up with this free Unix version for our PCs, I've still yet to see Linux-run PCs coming in droves here in the Philippines.

But before I go further, a disclaimer: I have yet to touch Linux. I have seen it in action in trade shows and installed in the PCs of some friends, but as a personal user of Linux I have yet to log any flight hours.

Which brings us exactly to what I want to discuss this week, something linked to my frustration of not having been able to try Linux on my own. Why hasn't any PC manufacturer been bold enough to preload Linux in their machines? Granted, you can just download it from the Internet and install it yourself-or still keep Windows running side by side in a dual-boot setup-but I believe that Linux proponents here in the Philippines would do well to further their cause by partnering with hardware makers.

I know this is a very dangerous proposition from a marketing point of view. Profit margins in the hardware industry are already thin as they are, and rolling out a computer running on a relatively unknown (as far as the majority of Philippine users are concerned) operating system instead of the ubiquitous Windows can turn out to be a bomb. Analysts have time and again declared that the money is in software (whether online or local applications) and not in hardware, and computer manufacturers are constantly being pushed to include value-added hardware features to squeeze out some more bucks from each PC or server sale. Computer makers have also been increasingly forced to streamline their operations, from marketing to online ordering to the just-in-time and made-to-order manufacturing of the computer itself.

In short, times being tough as they are, can PC and server manufacturers afford to gamble on the idea of preloading Linux in the Philippines?

I do not have the answer to that. But herewith I issue a challenge, if only to liven up the whole issue between Linux and Windows and take the argument to a tangible, concrete level. Agreed, some branded computers already offer Linux on the server side, but what about the so-called clones and makers of inexpensive computers? What about the PC side? Granted, the power of Linux would be more manifested on the server side, for it is there where its communications, multitasking and multiuser flexibility are truly exploited. On a standalone PC, you might not be able to squeeze the full juice out of Linux.

Which brings us to my challenge. I challenge Philippine computer makers to offer Linux-powered PCs and servers, even in a small test volume. I doubt that their professional relationship with Microsoft Philippines would be affected, for I know that people like Richard Francis and anti-piracy frontliner Sam Jacoba of Microsoft Philippines are not the kind to stifle competition despite the fact that their company is being accused of making life hard for PC makers who don't preload Windows. Anyway, Bill Gates himself said that Linux is only their second biggest competition, next to their own customers who don't want to upgrade to the next version of Windows.

So, who will that courageous Philippine computer maker be? Who will be bold enough to preload Linux into their desktop and server products?

Will it be Miko Computers, which was bold enough to embrace AMD in favor of Intel Corp.? Miko Computers have an AMD-powered line of computers. AMD of course is the biggest competitor of industry giant Intel, whose Pentium processors have become the norm for PCs in the Philippines. Nevertheless, Miko was bold enough to swim in unknown waters by offering AMD instead of the ubiquitous Intel chip. Miko Computers was also innovative and forward-looking enough to adopt the strategy of Dell Computer Corp. to offer online ordering and product specification. You can actually order a Miko computer with the specs that you want from their website. With such a track record of bravado, will Miko be bold enough to offer Linux-powered PCs and servers?

Or could it be Ng Khai Computer Corp. of Cebu, another forward-looking company?

Any takers, people?

In a related event, Mark White of Red Hat Inc., a Linux distributor, was in town last week with Philip Kaplan, the controversial lobbyist for the Philippine government in the United States. White and some other executives from American businesses were part of an investment mission being spearheaded by Kaplan, who's trying to convince US firms that the country is still a viable place to conduct business despite the war in Mindanao, kidnappings, mall bombings, stock exchange manipulation, banks going bankrupt and stupid actors who have become politicians.

Will we see more activity from Red Hat in the Philippines because of the White visit? I'm sure Linux fans are crossing their fingers.

Here's a letter from Al Dayao from the International Telecommunications Union in Switzerland regarding SMS or text messaging:

''Hello Mr. Magno.

"I have been using Novelsoft's SMS program to send SMS to my friends back in the Philippines and it's working quite well. You can download the program from www.musenalp.ch. The website is in German, so you click on the link that says: "Verschicke hier deine SMS." The actual program, however, gives you a choice of languages to use, including English.

"Or you can visit the Fast SMS program's home page at www.novelsoft.ch/sms-center/index-e.html.

"I hope this can be useful to your readers."

I'm sure it will Al. Thanks for the feed.

Okay, texters, go download 'em programs.