osOpinion: Developing Commercial Linux Applications: 101 | Linux Today

osOpinion: Developing Commercial Linux Applications: 101

Written By
Web Webster
Web Webster
Aug 3, 2000

[ Thanks to Kelly
McNeill
for this link. ]

“Going the cheap way isn’t always the right choice. You and I
probably know a lot of people switching to Linux (or GNU/Linux if
you prefer). Many of those are Unix old timers who have seen it
all, done it all. Even some conventional Microsoft only software
houses have some Unix/Linux insider. So when time comes to port
the fruit of their windows efforts, they have “cheap Unix clone” in
mind. Well, I am going to say it now, and I’ll repeat it at the
end. Here are the things you should know before you start doing
anything:

  • “Buy some Linux programming books. There are plenty. Sure Unix
    books will help but Linux is still different and the differences
    are more and more apparent especially on the desktop.
  • Look at open source software. Look at how they all (90%) offer
    rpm/deb/tgz packages for various distros.
  • Have a look at Helix code web site to see how they are
    supporting half a dozen distros and even Solaris. Ask them their
    advice if need be.
  • Train your local Unix gurus to become Linux gurus.
  • But most importantly, tell your Windows gurus Linux is
    multi-user for God’s sake. And that apps simply can’t expect to
    write just about anywhere on the hard drive.”

Complete
Story

Web Webster

Web Webster

Web Webster has more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience in the tech sector. He’s written and edited news, demand generation, user-focused, and thought leadership content for business software solutions, consumer tech, and Linux Today, he edits and writes for a portfolio of tech industry news and analysis websites including webopedia.com, and DatabaseJournal.com.

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