"Reasons business should evaluate Linux for a server platform
include freedom from vendor lock-in. Linux is controlled by no one
person or corporation. It can't die because its source code is
freely available for use by anyone.
"Even if you used (say) Ubuntu Linux at home and Canonical
decided to shut their doors forever. You would not be at risk:
because the operating system has been made available for the
scrutiny, typing up or general inspection of others. I think I can
say with 100% confidence that someone would pick up the project and
bring Ubuntu back to life.
"Linux is a terrific example of open source in practice because
of this. In fact, Linux has been chosen as the platform upon which
VMWare's ESX server is built, as well as products by Cisco.
Nevertheless, business users need more than just a bare metal
operating system. Here's where the money comes into it, and how a
company like Red Hat -- who give away all their source code --
manage to be profitable."
