Why is Linux Successful?

While many people out there are likely to disagree what is considered successful, the fact remains that Linux had certainly been met with a pretty decent share of success over the years.

SAN FRANCISCO — The success of Linux over the past 15 years boils down to a few key factors, according to a panel of Linux luminaries.

Larry Augustin, chairman of VA Software, Eric Raymond, founder of the Open Source Institute, Jon maddog Hall of Linux International, Chris DiBona of Google, and Dirk Hohndel of Intel regaled the capacity crowd with tales of their first experiences with Linux and Linus.

They also made some strong statements as to why Linux has succeeded where BSD failed, as well as noted the conditions required for Linux to succeed in the years to come.

Dirk Hohndel noted that timing was key and that Linux started off as a purely European phenomenon.

For Hohndel three key factors that fostered the rise of Linux: 386 chips, which provided enough power; rise of the Internet, which permitted the collaboration necessary to build Linux; and the GNU toolchain, without which none of Linux would have happened.

Hohndel also noted that Linus Torvalds is also obviously of critical importance.

“Linus is able to take people who vehemently disagree on architecture and get them to agree,” Hohndel said…. Source: InternetNews