“Do you do Linux? If you do, then you should be concerned
about history repeating itself. Linux has enjoyed a remarkably
peaceful rise to IT popularity, fueled by a combination of
Microsoft-fear and scout-camp cameraderie. In recent months,
however, the cameraderie has taken on something of a strained
feeling as companies marketing their own distributions add
features, APIs and widgets unique to their particular way of doing
things. Already, the Greek Chorus of Linux nay-sayers has begun to
raise its collective voice to proclaim the coming demise of the
operating system. The reason for the predicted demise is rooted in
the history of Unix….”
“The gap between distributions of Linux has been kept to a
minimum because of community pressure and the necessary blessing of
Linus Torvalds. With the rise of Red Hat as the dominant commercial
distribution of Linux, the cracks between the distributions are
threatening to become full-blown canyons. While some people see
this as inevitable–and some even tout it as a good thing–those
who want Linux to continue growing must discipline themselves
against the growth of rampant proprietary features.”