Linux Journal: Just Add Linux: The Union of Commercial and Open-Source in Existing Business Models

“Open-source software combined with commercially
licensed software has become a market reality, as open-source
technologies like Linux and Apache, already tremendous market
successes, are combined into business models by vendors who want to
win in the marketplace. It’s happening today and will continue to
flourish, and here’s why: Linux Market Penetration.

Linux is already a solid platform for servers, and it is growing
the fastest of any. The impact that Linux is having in the market
is significant. According to analyst firm IDC, Linux is the fastest
growing server operating system in the market and is second in
volume only to Windows NT/2000.

With the projected growth of Linux on the server, spurred on by
killer-apps like Apache and Samba, a market opportunity is born.
The industry is now taking the next step to deliver commercial
software on the open-source platform. According to IDC, the market
opportunity through 2005, in revenue, for software sold on Linux is
now projected to be in excess of a 100% compound annual growth
rate.”

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