Linux In Business example essay topic

LINUX One of the up and coming server operating systems is Linux. In an article from CNET News on July 24, 2000, a new study has identified Linux as being a significant threat to Microsoft in the server market over the next few years. What is Linux and how is it making its impact on the server industry? This paper will answer these questions.

Linux - What is it? Linux is a free Unix-type operating system originally created by Linus Torvalds along with other developers in the industry. Linux is an independent POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface) implementation and includes true multi-tasking, virtual memory, shared libraries, TCP / IP networking and other features consistent with Unix-type systems. Linux was developed under the GNU General Public Licensing and all of its source code is freely available to everyone. This doesn't necessarily mean that the program and all of the distributed software is free. There are companies and developers that may charge money for the program as long as the source code remains available.

Linux In Business? Linux is becoming more and more used in business today. One of the main reasons is the cost-effectiveness of the operating system itself. As well, there are numerous articles all over the Internet and news media detailing the positive aspects of open source operating systems in business today. One reference found on the Open Source website describes the basic idea behind open source code. "When programmers on the Internet can read, redistribute, and modify the source for a piece of software, it evolves.

People improve it, people adapt it, and people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development, seems astonishing". (Open Source, August 2000) From a businesspersons standpoint, the open-source model has a lot to offer. Companies are now able to build open standards as actual software and many companies and individuals can collaborate on a product that none of them could achieve alone. With open source code, there can be rapid bug fixes and changes that the user asks for, done to the user's own schedule. Other positives are increased security and increased reliability, and yet another positive is the ability of Linux to run on systems as low-end as a 386 to the higher end systems such as Alpha and Sparcs.

Where is Linux Headed? Based on the reports and studies being conducted by independent firms around the world, it is very apparent that Linux is making great strides in the networking market. According to a recent study by International Data Corp. (CNET, July, 2000), in 1999 Linux surpassed Novell's Netware moving in to the number two spot for operating systems, right behind Microsoft's NT operating system. The upside is that Linux is becoming more popular due to the upswing in server sales, filling in where Microsoft could not provide the cost effectiveness or reliability Linux is able to offer. The only downside to this prosperous trend is that the operating system will not benefit from the use on client systems. This market share is dominated by Microsoft.

Conclusion Ultimately the Linux operating system is an up and coming threat to Microsoft. Its open source code is allowing businesses to take advantage of the features available. Linux is proving to be a cost effective, secure, and stable solution for businesses around the world. Linux is sometimes suggested as a possible publicly developed alternative to the desktop predominance of Microsoft Windows. Although Linux is popular among users already familiar with UNIX, it remains far behind Windows in numbers of users, but is making steps forward to shrink this gap.