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Google Doubles Down on Linux and Open Source (zdnet.com)

Posted by msmash on from the how-about-that dept.

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols, writing for ZDNet: Google couldn't exist without Linux and open-source software. While you may not think of Google as a Linux company in the same way as you do Canonical, Red Hat, or SUSE, it wouldn't be the search and advertising giant it is today without Linux. So, it makes sense that Google is moving up from its Silver membership in The Linux Foundation, to the Platinum level. With this jump in status, Google gets a seat on the Foundation's board of directors. This position will be filled by Sarah Novotny, the head of open source strategy for Google Cloud Platform. Earlier this week, Chinese tech giant Tencent joined the Linux Foundation as a platinum member.

18 of 162 comments (clear)

  1. Microsoft by darkain · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Why do I get the feeling this is less about Google doubling-down on Open Source / Linux, and has more to do with the fact they don't want to be out-done by Microsoft, who is already a Platinum level member. This is just more of a corporate pissing contest.

    1. Re:Microsoft by jellomizer · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That and if you have millions/billions of dollars invested in a Linux Infrastructure. Do you really want your competitors make decisions on what direction the product takes?

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    2. Re:Microsoft by Cassini2 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      If you are Google it pays to purchase some cheap insurance against Microsoft doing something that could screw you.

      Once you get to Google, Microsoft, Apple size, then you need people on all the key committees. These people purchase connections and goodwill. When an important decision comes up, you have the connections and goodwill to ensure it goes your way.

    3. Re:Microsoft by geekmux · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Why do I get the feeling this is less about Google doubling-down on Open Source / Linux, and has more to do with the fact they don't want to be out-done by Microsoft, who is already a Platinum level member. This is just more of a corporate pissing contest.

      Google couldn't exist without Linux and open-source software...

      Uh, given this fact, Google should have recognized the relationship and upped their membership (and contributions) long ago. Cheap bastards.

    4. Re:Microsoft by Tough+Love · · Score: 2, Insightful

      At the same time, it is pathetic that Google was not at the highest level of membership already. See, there is a significant faction at Google that hates Linux and everything GPL. This faction has largely had the upper hand so far because of apathy in the executive suite. The usual theory "we are so rich so everything we do must be right". Including treating Linux as a second class citizen in favour of their BSD stable. Now they are forced by Microsoft to take a position. Ironic indeed.

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
    5. Re:Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      They'll use tar and gzip.

    6. Re: Microsoft by loufoque · · Score: 2

      No, it really isn't.

      Forking means you have no plans to ever rebase your changes, because you aim to become the new upstream.

    7. Re: Microsoft by loufoque · · Score: 2

      Intention is also what makes the difference between a lifetime in jail or not.
      It's crazy how the world works, isn't it?

    8. Re:Microsoft by Zontar+The+Mindless · · Score: 2

      "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."

      The burden of proof lies on the one making the claim.

      And you can fuck right off. We're done here.

      --
      Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
  2. I'll believe it when... by sremick · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ...we finally get a Linux client for Google Drive.

    1. Re:I'll believe it when... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      It exists! Sort of. With Ubuntu: Settings > Accounts

    2. Re:I'll believe it when... by jon3k · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It's such a massive, glaring omission it's kind of mind boggling. They have a Google Music Manager client for linux for christ's sake. I realize linux users are a rounding error and writing client software costs a lot of money, but we're talking key users. That's a lot of developers you'd ideally want in your ecosystem. But I'm sure Google knows more about this than I do and they've made the decision to omit linux for a reason.

  3. With Chromium/ChromeOS Google's a major player by mykepredko · · Score: 2

    I'm trying to find a consistent number for ChromeOS in terms of new PC sales - trying to research the number, it ranges from 80% to 300% of Linux installs according to different sources. Obviously, ChromeOS is not used in servers but I suspect that it is the largest distribution of the Linux kernel in new PC (primarily laptop) sales.

    Chromium and ChromeOS are "based on Linux" and use a pretty big piece of the code base - this along with the footprint they have would make them a major player in the Linux world and it would be appropriate for Google to have a seat at the Linux table.

    --
    Mimetics Inc. Twitter
    1. Re:With Chromium/ChromeOS Google's a major player by dwpro · · Score: 2

      Thre's value in having mindshare, but I think the open source community should be careful about how much it embraces/affiliates itself with a walled garden approach to an OS, even if it significantly incorporates the linux kernel. Hell, windows 10 runs a 'linux subsystem' now. Most users on android phones have no root access to their systems and have a myriad of corporate entities tracking and controling their every move with applications they can't uninstall, which seems very much unlike what I perceive most Linux users to value.

      --
      Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. -- Susan Ertz
  4. dumping the linux kernel on Android by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    And scaling back ChromeOS product developement.

    Yea, I don't understand how that's increasing the support for Linux.

    I'd describe it as lining the pockets of The Linux Foundation and installing an insider that can steer Linux towards what Google wants, which apparently includes the destruction of Linux. (see above)

    in short - Google and The Linux Foundation are full of shit.

  5. Re:Platinum is actually cheaper than gold since 20 by DamnOregonian · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Linux on the desktop is fucking wonderful. It's just not very user-friendly, and so doesn't appeal to a large audience.
    I can't imagine having my primary desktop being anything else anymore, after years of using Windows and MacOS.
    I of course acknowledge that that is an opinion, and inherently worthless- much like your post.

  6. Re:Platinum is actually cheaper than gold since 20 by Harlequin80 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Not even sure I would agree with the not user friendly. Something like Linux Mint is a lot more user friendly than Windows 10. I spend 95% of my desktop time on a linux machine, but still have to fire up windows for certain software packages.

    Fusion360, Photoshop and a decent video editor. Those are why I find myself firing up windows. (not to mention games but I haven't played in ages anyway)

  7. Re: Vaughan-Nichols by Tough+Love · · Score: 2

    I believe I have detected a nest of butthurt redmond weenies.

    --
    When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.