Why Linux is turning the tables
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My answer to this question was clarified when I read an article called"Is Linuskilling Linux?" This piece, which has already stirred up Indeed, the saving grace of this piece is that it offers so much for meto shoot down at one time. The story follows an We should all be cursed with such enemies. The article questions whether Torvalds, as a single individual notbeholden to any major Linux vendor, is still qualified to lead theproject. The article includes quotes suggesting that a non-profit,multi-vendor group of some sort be founded to steer Linux's futuredirection. But the piece contains no rebuttal, even though an opposingview would have been easy to find. Torvalds even gives one in theinterview. But since opposing views were not offered, I maintain thatthe article was commentary masquerading as news. Most open source enthusiasts shudder at the thought ofinstitutionalizing Linux development. Of course it would never happen,because in Linux's development model the leadership mandate comes fromthe developers, not from a management body. Indeed, one could argue that this is why Linux and other open sourceprojects attract so many volunteer programmers. Highly talentedindividuals enjoy working in a meritocracy where decisions are made forwhat they consider to be the right reasons. You know that if one of yourideas is rejected by Linus, it's for purely technical and not forpolitical or marketing reasons. Rooney's two pieces reveal the worst fears of those who still can'tgrasp the Linux enigma, and who are scared to death of the fact thatLinux has come as far as it has with the "major players" offeringnothing more than supporting roles. In Linux the inmates run the asylum,and the would-be wardens are mortified. If this isn't a disruptivetechnology, what is? By and large, most Linux developers like the way Linux is progressing,and are comfortable with its pace. While developers certainly might haveliked the 2.4 kernel to come out sooner, there's no wringing of hands onthe issue as there was in media or analyst circles. Are IBM and other vendors getting their say in Linux development? Sure,but as team players, not dictators. The recent creation of the Maybe some analysts will never get Linux; certainly, its aims are harderto understand than those of commercial product vendors. Linux plays by adifferent set of rules, yet it is attracting many conventional playersanyway. To me, this is what's truly disruptive. Do you think Linux is a disruptive technology? Tell Evan in the TalkBackbelow or in the ZDNet Linux Forum. Or write to Evandirectly at evan@starnix.com.
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