“It is fair to say that if you interface with a computer of any
kind for a living, you already are a user of Linux. As the
operating system that runs on the most diverse range of computer
architectures–from servers to desktops to PDAs and cell
phones–Linux is both a pervasive and permanent part of the
burgeoning global data network. Because it lacks the marketing
muscle behind its proprietary competition, open source software
such as Linux has remained largely behind the scenes. However, as
price pressures continue to squeeze the manufacturing marketplace,
the freely available source code, lack of licensing fees and
freedom from per-unit royalties that open source offers are pushing
Linux into the spotlight…”