[ Thanks to Douglas
D. Darnold for this link. ]
“Amazon.com was able to cut $17 million in technology
expenses in the last quarter largely because of a switch to Linux.The online retailer spent $54 million on technology and content
expenses in its third quarter, ended Sept. 30, compared with $71
million in the year-ago quarter, according to a filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The reduction was primarily
because of Amazon’s “migration to a Linux-based technology platform
that utilizes a less-costly technology infrastructure, as well as
general price reductions for data and telecommunication services
due to market overcapacity,” according to the statement.Amazon said in June that it was revamping its computer systems
and switching to “commodity” computers running Linux. Executives
said at the time that they expected technology costs as a portion
of net sales would decrease by 20 percent this year.”