With Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Vista launch, the world of operating systems is looking very different. A big problem: there is competition from open source approaches, especially Linux.

Basically, open source is a way to develop software that allows a global community of programmers to contribute to the code base. In fact, it often means inexpensive or even free software. Obviously, this is not acceptable to Microsoft.

However, one problem with open source has been fragmentation. But, it looks like there might be some progress. That is, two key groups -- Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group -- have agreed to merge. Actually, the Open Source Development Lab has as one of its employees, Linus Torvalds, who is the mastermind of Linux.

For the most part, the combined entity will find ways to make life more difficult for Microsoft's operating systems.