Most of us in the Linux Community are keenly aware of the success Linux has been enjoying in the server market. And the recent Linux product announcements by IBM, Intel, and AMD is great news and shows that mainstream players are fully behind Linux in areas beyond the server. Groups like the Eazel project are quickly developing interfaces to make Linux a more user-friendly OS that geeks and non-geeks alike can appreciate on the desktop. But where will consumers have their first hands-on experience with Linux? It's likely that will be on webpads, information appliances (IAs), and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

AOL wants to distribute 100,000 of these devices. At the recent Computex 2000 show in Taipei I counted over 8 companies coming out with IA type products. According to people working for the manufacturers of these webpads they have been receiving a flood of inquiries from companies looking to distribute these kinds of products.

This will be an important time in Linux advocacy. Because the devices will be simplified in their functions it is an excellent time to show how Linux can be a useful non-geek tool. These portable dedicated devices may be so singular in their functions (i.e., only web browsing, for instance) that consumers may not even be aware that their device is Linux driven. Public perception of Windows isn't really the OS but rather the office suite of applications that are the visible face of Windows. The first visible face of Linux for many may be a Netscape or proprietary browser. To make that first big dent in the non-techie population they must be made aware that their computers are Linux powered.

Fan pages of these new appliances and websites like MobileLINUX.com will receive traffic from consumers searching for information about their new "Toys and Tools", or consumers seeking purchasing advice about which device is right for them. How this information is shared with these visitors will have to be handled carefully. The relationship between consumers and Linux must be nurtured. The big "Battle for the Desktop" (roughly only 10% of the OS market share) may never come. Linux might already be a part of mainstream computing and make the move to Linux on the desktop for consumers a natural transition.

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