Lacklustre demand for Linux literati

Linux has yet to make a significant mark in finance circles - despite backing from former open source sceptic Microsoft.

In November last year, old software enemies Microsoft and Novell signed a wide-ranging deal which will make it far easier Windows and Linux to work together. Financial services firms are at the forefront of the move - Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and AIG have already taken delivery of the subscription coupons that will enable the two systems to operate in tandem.

Does this mean banks will be stampeding in the direction of Linux talent? No, according to Alistair Singleton, managing director of City recruitment firm 7 Fifty Two Solutions: "I suspect this will be driven on an individual firm by firm basis. We don't see much demand for Linux stuff," says Singleton, who reports far more interest in traditional Java or C++ skills.

The lack of motion on the Linux front is echoed by Harvey Nash's recruitment director Lisa Jobson. "A lot of the companies we deal with demand Solaris and Linux is used for more non-mission critical areas," Jobson remarks.

Although Novell doesn't have the market clout to greatly effect the market one way or another, Martin Smith a director at recruitment firm Anson McCade believes interest in open source systems is growing steadily and firms are beginning to replace their Solaris systems with Linux.

A key growth area is in administration. "A good administrator can earn up to 550 a day or 40 - 80K plus bonuses," says Smith.