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Have The Suits Changed Linux?

Posted by timothy on from the button-up-shirts-are-very-comfy dept.

rcunnings points out this "interesting story about the assimilation of one prominent Linux hacker into the business of Linux. Sushi anyone?" Linus himself has always seemed a perfect pragmatist, and in this article he implies that corporations are benefiting everyone when they act as -- his term -- "sponsors."

5 of 25 comments (clear)

  1. What's the big deal by Stevyn · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I RTFA and I don't see what the big deal is. Companies want to support Linux because they believe as a lot of people here do that it can revolutionize computing and they don't want to be left behind. They can't simply buy it so they influence it's contributors directly and indirectly. Bill Gates hasn't done much to innovate computing and he's the richest guy in America. Obviously that way of doing things wasn't best for everybody so we have a new system here. Let's see how this pans out.

  2. I wouldn't worry... by Tore+S+B · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The GPL is automatic democracy. Anyone can work on it, it can't be closed, and improvements will be universally availible.

    The only potential consequences I see is that developers get paid for working on OSS, and that OSS will be more widely adopted. I don't see the problem here.

    --
    toresbe
    1. Re:I wouldn't worry... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The cost is feature direction. A lot of slashbots would like to see Linux more competitive with Windows on the desktop.

      But the commercial interests that control key components (kernel, glibc, gnome, etc) don't give a shit about competing with Windows and only aim to outscale Solaris on big boxes and be slightly less paleolithic than CDE/Motif for engineering workstations. Which is reflected greatly in the final product. (Linux went from a toy to a Solaris-Killer in a few short years, but still lacks the tools for a cohesive desktop.)

    2. Re:I wouldn't worry... by Robert+The+Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yes but those guns like IBM are now moving to replacing there work desktops with linux. We see novell buying up desktop part. Server has for the most aren't going away and by many experts have been won now we can move on to the desktop. As it was put once. 2.4 was about scaling up. 2.6 was about scaling down. Big companys see linux in corp workstations and embeded devices. I have noticed in the last Year that desktop linux is make leap and bonds. Money is starting to flow into the development of desktops. Several company have come out with desktop based distro's and more seem to come out each day.

  3. This is a GoodThing(tm) by yuri+benjamin · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Like most of the other posts so far, I see the corporate sponsership as a Good Thing(tm). The GPL prevents a complete takeover, meanwhile companies get to fix things to make linux work with their products.

    Developers have the option of working for one of the hardware manufacturers, so they can feed their families while working on something they feel passionate about, and everyone wins.

    I think we owe a great debt to RMS for the GPL, which makes this possible without a complete takeover.

    --
    You make the mistake of thinking you can educate the fundamental stupidity out of people. You can't.