One answer to "who pays for open source development?" is we all do. The NSA has released a secure version of the Linux Kernel and NIST is currently working on another so our tax dollars fund some development. And those are not the only US government entities writing open source code. It is also in the interest of some companies to contribute to open source. IBM for instance works on the kernel and contributes that work to support it's proprietary high level applications which it does sell.
Incidentally, I think that the biggest danger to Linux is the possibility of Kernel forking. If one or more significantly different version of the Linux Kernel were to emerge it would dilute Linux and blunt it's focus. There will always be special purpose variants but there should be the only one main Kernel. If behooves all who like Linux make that happen. The key proof of Linux's acceptance as a viable operating system is when Microsoft ports one or more of their products to run on Linux. Will Lowe ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dustin Puryear" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 9:43 AM Subject: RE: [brlug-general] free, closed and practical software. > At 06:56 PM 7/8/2003 -0700, you wrote: > >I think Dustin is looking for data for a new write-up. > > None-the-less he is asking the question that all of > >the industry is asking. "Where do we go from here, > >and how do we get there?" > > While I think this is a good topic I do not write editorials or about > industry trends, so no, I won't be writing about this. It would be > interesting though. If you wanted to write up an analysis of the different > models and concerns discussed you could probably get it published on Linux > Gazette. I invite anyone interested to do so. > > > --- > Dustin Puryear <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Puryear Information Technology, LLC <http://www.puryear-it.com> > Providing expertise in the management, integration, and > security of Windows and UNIX systems, networks, and applications. > > > _______________________________________________ > General mailing list > [email protected] > http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net
