The growth potential is immense as credit and debit cards gain more popularity.

FORBES: Quick Takes

Rupert Goodwins, editor of IT publication ZD Net, said that while Linux remained too complex for most home users, its growing foothold in the workplace would help it gain widespread popularity as soon as more user-friendly versions were developed.

BBC: NEWS | Business | HP to sell Linux-based computers

But it might force Putin to change his approach: tyranny and total control is always an option, or, as an alternative, he could start flirting with democracy and shift towards new, more democratic ways to gain the popularity of Russian people.

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