I actually think this is one of the greatest strengths of Linux.

Honestly, most of us using the OS are doing so because we enjoy it. We justify ourselves with the very true arguments in Linux’s favor on topics of security, stability, flexibility, open and free access to the source code, and the legal freedom to do as we please with that source code. Those are great arguments, but we generally do it because for us, Linux makes using the computer fun again. We can change things as we wish, get the computer to do things that can’t be done with closed operating systems, and so on. Why is this a strength? Simple.

If every manufacturer of a given piece of hardware would release the specifications of that hardware to the public, there is an extremely strong chance that someone in the community will think to themselves, “I want to use that,” and will also have the ability to write a device driver for it. Someone else is likely to be able to look at that code and have an idea for improvement, either by adding a feature or stabilizing the current features in some way. This makes for a great opportunity for the hardware manufacturers who understand this process.

This is also how most software in Linux is written. Someone in the community has an idea of something they would like to do, and they write it. Others are free to suggest or code improvements or alternatives.

What Ubuntu is doing that I am so proud to be a part of is welcoming a new set of people into the community, people without the experience or expertise in the back end, behind the scenes coding aspects of computer use. Now, a new set of people have the same chance to have fun with their computers and be involved in the community, even if they are not able to write or improve programs. Most of the developers still do it for fun, and would continue without payment (as most already do now), but the community is thrilled to see more “average” people able to come an join in and benefit from what we believe is truly a superior platform for computer use.

The economics are secondary, but I think as time is passing businesses and corporations are discovering significant opportunities exist, as they allow their employees to be a part of the Linux community and contribute code in the same manner as other community members, thereby insuring that programs and drivers are written to do precisely what their specific business/corporate interests require, all the while adding overall value to the community as a whole and making it easier for others to contribute and see a good return on investment as well.

It is in this manner that Linux has taken over and now rules the server world, and there is the potential for this to happen with the desktop as well. Will it happen? Who knows? Either way, the Linux user and developer community will be found having a good time in the process.

Good read! Thank you!

Ubuntu sends people to make teamed with computer manufactures, they send out free disks, and stickers, they put the money up to have the fastest servers all over the world, they have spent millions in marketing and promoting their OS. I can not say that Debian has done the same.

This is much like the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray standard battle. Both were great, but the market could support only one. Toshiba saw that HD-DVD were loosing the battle and to encourage progress they withdrew from the market instead of fighting it out.

The companies that create commercial software, which is needed to function to make Linux successful, really will only support one standard.

Ubuntu is the most popular, and is pulling away from the rest of the pack. Many distros have already stopped production and backed Ubuntu.

I see it much like the race for the president. The party needs to back one person, and until they do the fight will only hurt the party.