Why? a linux question

dougland

dougland

New Member
I know Linux is an open source/ free OS. I understand people want ot make it there own, but what drives people to tweak, and creat the operating system? I meen they don't get paid, what says that Linux will last, meaning people will continue to build it? I mean if they love it yes continue, but if they're not getting paid, how/why do they put so much time/effort into something free? Dont get me wrong i love and use Linux, i just want to make sure its going to be here for the years to come.
 
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Someone posted an article on how Congress is thinking of banning Linux due to protests by Microsoft and others for how people can use Linux to get past things. One thing is sure Novell could be banned from selling a retail version of Linux. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/02/AR2007020201017.html

Being that Linux is an open source OS developers can openly share source codes and other things. That is one reason why Microsoft has been seen as the big aversary like the description seen at http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/5070

Now there's even some security of just who is using Linux( or Windows, Mac, Solaris, etc.) in the continuing blog seen at http://blog.lobby4linux.com/comment.php?serendipity%5Bentry_id%5D=277&serendipity%5Btype%5D=comments
 
dougland said:
I know Linux is an open source/ free OS. I understand people want ot make it there own, but what drives people to tweak, and creat the operating system? I meen they don't get paid, what says that Linux will last, meaning people will continue to build it? I mean if they love it yes continue, but if they're not getting paid, how/why do they put so much time/effort into something free? Dont get me wrong i love and use Linux, i just want to make sure its going to be here for the years to come.
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Well, Open Source doesn't necessarily mean 'free'. It means that anyone can look at, rewrite, and redistribute the Source Code. As opposed to closed source, which is proprietary. There are versions of Linux that cost money (actually quite a bit of money!) and there are those that are free to download.

For the folks who work on the free open source applications (Distros and programs), they tend to do it for a few reasons. They may like to dabble in software programming, be on their way to bigger and better things and are doing it for experience, or even something as simple as flipping it to Microsoft:cool: Others may do it just because they *can* do it and *want* to do it. Heck, so do it for bragging rights:) and that's all good too! Several companies are funded by parent companies as well. Meaning, they have some financial backing and their lead developers probably see something for their dedication.
 
Those articles and Microsoft getting mad at Linux, do you think Linux won't be made anymore in the future?
 
The one article seen if I can relocate the link again discussed how Linux could be used to get around things in retail products like dvd movies and softwares. That was the issue apparently brought before Congress according to that source. Microsoft joined in with others in their own fight against piracy.

But even Microsoft has had a few days in court themselves like IE being included in Windows and what was seen in a French court according to the old 2002 Linux? article found at http://www.linux.com/articles/22759?tid=3 If you look far enough you can find alot on anything like the ZDNet UK article on Linux seen at http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39168398,00.htm
 
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This whole MS vs. Linux makes me think of 1984 or V for Vendetta. MS is Big Brother trying to control and limit what people can use, and Linux is V, fighting the good fight and standing up for the common man.

It's spooky how my mind works sometimes.:eek:
 
if congress makes linux "banned" i sware to god i will move out of the country and NEVER buy a windoes product again. i mean comon of cource the bigest indistry will protest for something that is taking there buisness, it is a no brainer, but them baning it b/c ms is bsing over it is just bs. (writes this as he installes fc8!!! :cool:) but idn, even if linux is infringing something of ms, personaly i think that if there is a something opensource, meaning many people make it for free, compleatly free, then the copy rights should not really apply, i mean it is there fault that there product it a big enough sucess that some one goes and makes a free one :P but idn out goverment is "k3rupt" :D (crud, need to redownload fc8 :mad:)
 
You are far from correct about Linux being totally free. Originally that was a proprietary OS for IBM systems as well as Novell. It just happens that some distros are available free of charge for download while others are sold retail to corporations.

What some like most about the "geek's OS" is that it uses far less systems resources over Windows and Apple/Mac. While MS has thrown all kinds of help files into Windows for Linux you kind of need a community support.
 
The problem with that however is there are always the "do it yourselfers"(hhmm sounds familiar for some reason :confused: :P ) that will be looking for non existant help files in Linux that aren't there while Windows has an item seen in practically every window.
 
true. i guess if some one accualy were to look they would find man to be helpfull for some stuff but idn
 
PC eye said:
The problem with that however is there are always the "do it yourselfers"(hhmm sounds familiar for some reason :confused: :P ) that will be looking for non existant help files in Linux that aren't there while Windows has an item seen in practically every window.
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I hate that sodding Paper Clip...
 
Linux will not be shut down. Especially by Billy. It's just a classic case of Billy flexing his power.
 
well i would say it is for the pride, i mean you get to gloat that i made this, and the legacy lives with you... also, could you imagine how good that would look on a resumé
 
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^agreed, now that i think of it. I meen if someone creates it they get to say they did it and have that feeling of satisfaction knowing that people are using something they built.
 
It was after some lengthy period of time when UNIX was totally outdated that no one but the "geeks" at programming still had any interest with Windows and Apple taking the main stream. That's why the free distros and GNU licensing was started to see more take interest in the old OS. While MS moved away from the Fat for seeing NTFS on the desktops Linux is still riding on the old UNIX platform despite the newer "eye candy" that's been added into it over the last several years.
 
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