Where Does Linux Go From Here?

With the success that Linux is currently enjoying Linux.com (also owned by SourceForge, Inc) asks the question, where do we go from here? With such a high level of success and greater corporate participation (on both the consumer and provider fronts) will the spirit of freedom and idealism remain true or will the ever-present corporate bottom line eventually take over? "Linux is surrounded by proprietary IT firms. Some of them view Linux as a profit maker, others as a threat to their profits. Both sides represent a challenge for Linux in holding to its ideals of freedom and openess. The first large IT firm to really grok Linux was IBM. It has a long and mutually beneficial association with Linux, Apache, and other FOSS projects. The company has learned the language and the mores of the FOSS world, and has made significant code contributions as part of those projects along the way."

Comments

One day, but not today

[sdkramer]

"Ubuntu is going to have to get serious about its commercial operation one of these days."

Very true, but it's going to need A LOT more driver support to get there. Average Joe isn't going to want to have to fix his wireless every time just because he's got a Broadcom chip. Average Joe isn't going to want to have to mess with ALSA or OSS if he loses his sound, and starting off leaving a bad taste in someone's mouth is not the way to go. As much as I want to see Linux on the desktop we have to keep in mind that the first "Vista-like" experience users have is going to drive them to Apple or something.

I feel like Vista's failures have given us a tremendous opportunity to make some serious inroads to the desktop market, but we're hindered by usability and driver issues.