Adobe releases Acrobat 7 with Linux reader support (ZDNet)

Adobe releases Acrobat 7 with Linux reader support (ZDNet)

Posted Jan 7, 2005 1:45 UTC (Fri) by dhess (guest, #7827)
In reply to: Adobe releases Acrobat 7 with Linux reader support (ZDNet) by Junior_Samples
Parent article: Adobe releases Acrobat 7 with Linux reader support (ZDNet)

What happened? Probably some subtle threats from Microsoft along the lines of "Remember what happened to WordPerfect . . ." In other words, Microsoft won't tread on Adobe's turf as long as Linux is treated like the redheaded stepchild.

I remember the aborted release of PageMaker, but I don't think it follows that Microsoft had anything to do with it. This happened years ago (back in 1998 or 1999?), long before Microsoft perceived desktop GNU/Linux as a credible threat. And PageMaker doesn't really compete with any of Microsoft's offerings, anyway; it's not aimed at the same market as Word.

It is very likely that Adobe and Microsoft have some sort of behind the scenes "gentleman's agreement" which keeps Adobe from supporting Linux.

I really doubt that. I've spoken to an Adobe product manager about Adobe's interest in GNU/Linux, off the record, and what I inferred from that conversation is that Adobe is simply trying to figure out whether there will be enough (paying) customers for GNU/Linux proudcts to justify the development cost. They're genuinely interested in the GNU/Linux creative content market, at least.

And there's no love lost between Adobe and Microsoft, so I doubt they have a "gentleman's agreement" on anything, at least not on product lines.

I think the upcoming release of Acrobat 7 is a good sign. I'm pretty optimistic that we'll see the Adobe Creative Suite on GNU/Linux in the near future. Crossing my fingers, anyway... Adobe's support would "legitimize" the GNU/Linux desktop overnight.

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