Novell, NetApp pledge allegiance to Linux group

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Would you work for free?

Linus was a college student when he posted the Linux kernel 10 years ago. He didn't expect compensation then. But the truth is, a man has to eat. The reason these companies fund him is so that they can coordinate the efforts for the development of the kernel and other GNU software and have Linus focus completely on Linux instead of putting off a release because his other job is at the end of a development cycle. Otherwise, it's an open source project that could splinter, stop or be driven in a totally different direction at any time. Then these companies are left standing out with software that will become proprietary and they'll be in the Unix quandry all over again. It's important for them to protect their investment because they know that if Linux doesn't stay open source, then the current supporters will find something else and these companies will be out millions of dollars. So what's a lousy 100,000 dollars if your business is at stake?

Posted by: fistfullast33l   Posted on: 12/10/03 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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