on 1: I remember pushing vmware esx in 2003, it had no market then. That was not a reason to say, oh well, let's wait till somebody else buys it first. Or are you just followers? on 2: I don't see what trouble you had installing and configuring. Xensource 4 installs as easy as esx. The management tool lets novices with no linux experience whatsoever install vm's and configure them. on 3: Xensource supports loads and loads. You can get it pre-installed.