Excuse my weak language.
But if I got it all right.
Then,
I’ve listed a similar thread about win vs. Linux & Intel vs. RISK
And since Intel decided to move to the RISC side , so they need an OS to run.
And this will open the way for M$ to be there too since most of the UNIX vendors dropped the development of their OS to meet the new 64-bit Intel technology.
And as I mentioned before, there will be only 3 OS for that platform ( IA-64 ) which is ( HP UX, Linux & Win.Net 64)
And the main problem will be, the existing applications , not only programming and so ..
For example: If u have an AIX with it’s applications and then u moved to the new Intel Processor with a new OS , lets say Linux for example, what will happen for the used applications. !!