Linux: A Double Edged Sword for Open Source

“Quick, name the most successful open source project of all
time. You probably didn’t hesitate a second did you? For better and
sometimes for worse, Linux is the poster child for the open source
movement. And why shouldn’t it be. You can’t argue with the
enormous success and impact it has had on the world. It is truly
one of the wonders of the tech world. But that success can
sometimes cast a long shadow on other open source projects and how
people perceive open source should work. To paraphrase an old
saying about GM into a question: Is what’s good for Linux, good for
all open source? The answer may be no.

“Linux is unique not only because of its success, but also
because of the make up of its community. You have literally scores
of companies, many of which are household names, that contribute
substantial amounts of code to its base. You have a cast of
thousands that contribute code, bug findings, ideas and even hot
air (OK, some contribute lots of hot air).”

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