| Linus
Torvolds, Founder of Linux: "LinuxTechncial Upates"
Our
take away on key points from Mr. Torvalds speech at the Linux World
Conference.
Wall
Street and its investors now support Linux products and services.
Perception determines whether or not Linux appears fragmented.
To some degree, fragmentation is a positive thing.
It reflects a dynamic market where control is not concentrated in a
single entity and everyone gets to do his/her own thing.
Linux
has the flexibility to cater to different markets, users, and
environments. Its
internationalization means different user groups in different countries
devise their own solutions because their problems are uniquely theirs.
There exists the choice of having needs satisfied in-house or by
specific vendors known for their expertise and specialties.
Additionally, Linux’s reuse potential means software development
occurs faster because it piggybacks on pre-existing source code.
Constructive "How To’s” for Linux
Avoid
negatives associated with fragmentation.
Infighting between vendors does nothing to advance improvements or
produce better products. Rather,
it dispels the appearance of a united Linux front. Keeping technology unfragmented is important when companies
are pursing different agendas that share common elements. Avoid duplication of common elements and concentrate on
innovation. Positive
competition means adding value to the chain and expanding markets. Ideally, the open source model is based on antifragmentation
and a community that exists together harmoniously.
Modularity is the solution to fragmentation.
Commercialization
of Linux does not violate Linux’s purpose or value system.
Linux delivers software that is nice to use and gives people
control of what they are using. Its objective is to have satisfied users in control of their
software. It transforms
software from witchcraft to science.
Users and developers can openly discuss ideas and make changes as
they see fit. Proprietary
software companies can no longer dictate what to do.
Linux Leverage
Technology
feeds commerce. Ideally,
building code on top of pre-existing code leverages both work effort and
efficiency. Users now have
the option of selecting from different vendors where there is mutual
confidence and comfort. Users
can get the changes they want without pleading for them from a single
vendor.
Users
make technology relevant. Technology
is only as good as the user’s experience.
Sometimes technical people forget this and create technology for
technology’s sake. Remember,
technology needs to be useful and usable.
Initially, Linux was good technology that did not have many users.
Now it is recognized as both a good technology and product because
commercial people made it a system people wanted to use.
Next
Release
Linux
2.4 will be released in the summer of 2000 after one-and-one-half years of
development. Psychologically
and practically, it is important not to have three-and-one-half years
between releases, as was the case previously.
It promises to be a better kernel that can accommodate and balance
high-end architecture, small-to-mid-size computers, and mobile systems.
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