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Why Was Linux the Kernel That Succeeded?

Posted by samzenpus on from the belle-of-the-ball dept.

jones_supa writes: "One of the most puzzling questions about the history of free and open source software is this: Why did Linux succeed so spectacularly, whereas similar attempts to build a free or open source, Unix-like operating system kernel met with considerably less success?" Christopher Tozzi has rounded up some theories, focusing specifically on kernels, not complete operating systems. These theories take a detailed look at the decentralized development structure, pragmatic approach to things, and the rich developer community, all of which worked in favor of Linux.

4 of 469 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why Was Linux the Kernel That Succeeded? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    WTF do you guys even try to English?

    FTFY

  2. Re:WTF? by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 4, Funny

    cut them some slack. they're just doing the needful!

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    "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
  3. Re:Meh by itzly · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not sure. Try sticking a fork() in it.

  4. Re:Single case anecdote. by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 3, Funny

    and now, sun and DEC are both long gone and one of them, nearly entirely forgotton. (sad, I worked at both of those fine companies and was lucky to have had the chance to work at such places).

    linux is here, but vax and vms and alpha (and ultrix; I ran ultrix for a while) are all pretty much unknowns today.

    wonder how long linux still remain relevant? I don't see it going away, but then again, I said the same of sun and DEC (and SGI, lets throw them in there, too. yeah, I was there, too, lol.).

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    "It is now safe to switch off your computer."