Grazie ad una segnalazione di Sberla sulla mailing list di Imolug mi sono imbattuto in questo interessante articolo sullo sviluppo del Kernel Linux, ovvero il suo motore principale di funzionamento.

E l’articolo ci dice che, guarda un po’, Linux oggi sviene sviluppato in gran parte da dipendenti di multinazionali. Le quali sono piuttosto note per la scarsa propensione al mecenatismo ed allo sperpero di soldi (soprattutto quelle appena inserite tra le prime 500 aziende al nasdaq, come Red Hat).

Quindi perchè investire?

Beh, ecco il paragrafo in merito:

“WHY COMPANIES SUPPORT LINUX KERNEL DEVELOPMENT

The list of companies participating in Linux kernel development includes many of the most
successful technology firms in existence. None of these companies are supporting Linux
development as an act of charity; in each case, these companies find that improving the kernel
helps them to be more competitive in their markets. Some examples:

• Companies like IBM, Intel, SGI, MIPS, Freescale, HP, Fujitsu, etc. are all working to ensure that Linux
  runs well on their hardware. That, in turn, makes their offerings more attractive to Linux users, resulting
  in increased sales.
• Distributors like Red Hat, Novell, and MontaVista have a clear interest in making Linux as capable as it can
  be. Though these firms compete strongly with each other for customers, they all work together to make the
  Linux kernel better.
• Companies like Sony, Nokia, and Samsung ship Linux as a component of products like video cameras,
  television sets, and mobile telephones. Working with the development process helps these companies
  ensure that Linux will continue to be a solid base for their products in the future.
• Companies which are not in the information technology business can still find working with Linux
  beneficial. The 2.6.25 kernel included an implementation of the PF_CAN network protocol which was
  contributed by Volkswagen. 2.6.30 had a patch from Quantum Controls BV, which makes navigational
  devices for yachts. These companies find Linux to be a solid platform upon which to build their products;
  they contribute to the kernel to help ensure that Linux continues to meet their needs into the future. No
  other operating system gives this power to influence future development to its users.

There are a number of good reasons for companies to support the Linux kernel. As a result, Linux has a broad
base of support which is not dependent on any single company. Even if the largest contributor were to cease
participation tomorrow, the Linux kernel would remain on a solid footing with a large and active development
community.”

Una delle frasi più forti è l’ultima: sviluppato da tanti, professionisti e aziende, tutti importanti ma nessuno indispensabile. Forse l’Open Source è la strada buona? Un motivo in più per rispondere con un convinto sì.

The Myth of the Isolated Kernel Hacker

P. S.
Tra poco c’è il Linux Day, anche a Imola e Faenza!!!