Story from Pro-Linux.de, or Babelfish version. "Vor allem spezialisierte Fachanwendungen von Nischenanbietern sucht man unter Linux vergebens...Laut Aussagen von Schwäbisch Hall, einen der bekanntesten Linux-Befürworter, verweigern »zwischen einem Drittel und der Hälfte« der Softwarelieferanten, die Gemeinde mit einer Linux-Lösung auszustatten."

The summary of the above sentences is that somewhere between 50-67% of specialized Linux programs cannot yet be supplied to a municipality which need them. As the software scene continues to change from Windows to Linux, with Europe and especially Germany in the lead, there are many holes in Linux specialty software availability which need to be filled. This provides an open window of opportunity for entrepreneurial activity in these areas. The trick is to find the right area of expertise, and the timing to market entry. The article points out that there is no problem for Internet, intranet, and office type software. The difficulties lie in certain sectors. Banking is also mentioned as an open field, which is also changing in Europe.

At this point in time, the municipalities in Germany which are switching to Linux are still running a mixed environment. Someone with brains and bravery can be a winner with Linux.