End of an Era: Palm will purchase Be's technology etc. Be will get $11 million in Palm stock. Palm initially said no desktop BeOS version. BeOS userbase may continue like Amiga's. Be's failure shows creating a better commercial desktop OS is hard.

• Peaceful Co-Existence? Right.: It's unlikely for new computer buyers to change OS. Be offered BeOS for free to major manufacturers but only Hitachi shipped with it pre-installed. Microsoft's Windows License limits dual-booting.
• Bootloader as Trade Secret: The Windows License prohibits machines with Microsoft OS from offering non-Microsoft OS as a boot option. DOJ vs. Microsoft trial missed the bootloader issue. Be didn't sue due to cost and waiting for court remedy.
• Controlling the Hardware Landscape: It's odd that no PC OEM ships dual-boot Win/Linux machines despite Linux's free status. Microsoft has influenced the OS-neutral hardware marketplace.