[Dark Knight]

A recent inquiry was made to ask the question whether RIM would release a Linux version of their Blackerry Desktop Manager. The response was less than vague.

Originally Posted by RIM

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So I decided to post a poll to see how many Blackberry users would be interested in having the option to use Blackberry Desktop Manager on Linux. Note: Novell does offer a version for Enterprise server use which is intended for a large LAN but not for personal desktop/laptop users. There's also work being done by WINE developers to have Blackberry Desktop Manager run on Linux.

References:

Blackberry Enterprise Server for Novell Groupwise: Research In Motion & Novell
What is Linux? Linux - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
What is WINE? Wine HQ
Blackberry Desktop Manager: BlackBerry

[kurichan]

Is there a significant, potentially profitable market for such an effort?

[Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by kurichan

Is there a significant, potentially profitable market for such an effort?

Yes. Consider a few things such as Microsoft admitting that Linux developers Novell and Red Hat are their main competition not only on the server end but also for desktops. This is especially noticed in the Enterprise market but with Linux gaining more support for personal use it's becoming more common place. Another point to consider is that Microsoft recently signed a deal with Novell to work towards better Windows/Linux interoperability allowing consumers more flexibility and ease of migrating between both OS. For example Novell including OpenXML support for OpenOffice in SLED. The last point is that most consumers would agree when comparing the cost of Linux vs Windows the desktop is far more low cost on the Linux side than with Windows. OpenSUSE for example which is a community based version of SUSE Linux is free and relies on community support. Where as SLED from Novell is for those looking for Enterprise support included for lower cost than either Windows XP or Windows Vista. Since RIM has been able to work with Novell to release blackberry support for the Enterprise market then they should be able to do the same for personal desktop consumers as well.

[ibrg]

I have little interest in Blackberry Desktop Manager on Linux. Just get the Mac version better...

[NJBlackBerry]

While Linux users are certainly passionate (like Mac users) there is not much evidence that large corporations and government agencies - RIMs largest customers - are switching DESKTOPS over to Linux. Servers and databases - absolutely - but not desktops. When that does happen, then I think you'll see a Linux based Desktop Manager. But not before.

[southwestcomm]

Large enterprise users probably have a BES and don't have a need for the desktop manager software.