"While Linux is an alternative to Windows, it is not cheap Windows. Linux has its own strengths, and users should want it because of those strengths and not because it's a cheap copy of Windows," he said.

Shuttleworth said he could only imagine running a Windows application on Ubuntu as a temporary strategy—part of a migration platform and not as the way of the future, "which could well be free software."

He was also upbeat about the idea of a boot camp for Ubuntu, noting that there are some interesting possibilities for virtualization on the desktop, and that there are many permutations and combinations on that front that remain to be explored.

There are some really good candidates for virtualization under Linux, Shuttleworth said, adding that he has been impressed with the approach of VMware's engineers to Linux.