[ Thanks to Fernando
Corrêa for this link. ]
“OLinux: What’s your position at Compaq?
Russel Pavlicek: My current job is to help
build up our Linux consulting expertise worldwide. Compaq
recognizes the potential opportunity we have in the Linux
consulting arena and is working to prepare our workforce. I am
also a frequent speaker at Linux and Open Source trade shows and
technical conferences, as well as an occasional author of articles
for various Linux websites. The two topics I speak about the most
are Linux Advocacy and a perspective on understanding the Open
Source movement called, “Welcome to the Insane Asylum.” My speaking
schedule and bibliography can be found at:
http://www.erols.com/pavlicek/”
“OLinux: Do all Compaq’s systems run the Linux
OS? …
Russel Pavlicek: Almost all Alpha systems and
Proliant systems can run Linux. A few of the very early Alpha boxes
used a bus called Turbochannel which is not yet supported on Linux
(NetBSD apparently works, though). But just about everything else
works. Some options (some video cards, for example) do not have
drivers, but there are other supported options that can be used
instead. …”
“OLinux: How does Compaq analyze Linux growth
for past few years? …
Russel Pavlicek: … In 1997 I began suggesting
to coworkers that we should be developing a Linux strategy. There
was a fairly small group of us who understood what was going on,
but before too long it became apparent to everyone that Linux was
not just a hacker’s project. It was turning into an exciting
operating system. Today, we have an Linux Program Office focused on
the success of Linux on Compaq’s platforms. There are many people
working hard to make sure that Linux works well on both our
Proliant systems and Alpha systems. We have had engineers working
on Linux Alpha since 1994.”