Linux Links:
Linux (as in Linus's UN*X) has become wildly popular. Written for his own needs by Finnish college student Linus Torvalds, Linux quickly caught on as a UN*X look-alike that runs on Intel x86 machines (your average PC).
Yet many corporate cultures (most notably those who boast "ISO-900x" certification) relegate Linux to "underground" status because it is neither commercial, "Windows-like" nor supported by a mighty corporate bureaucracy - all characteristics which constitute the hallmarks of a "standard platform". Yes, Linux has always been written for Intel x86 processors, and has now been ported to DEC's Alpha CPU as well as others. There's even a project attempting to port Linux to the VAX architecture.
Commercial?
Well, while Linux is freeware, some rather large companies have sprouted which actually "sell" it and support it. Now, what is "sold" is actually the media containing both the Linux software and the vendor's own software written to accompany and enhance the usage of Linux. Two prominent examples of Commercial Linux distributions are Red Hat Linux and Caldera's OpenLinux Standard.
"Windows-like"?
Well, there's no getting around this one. For all the work that's been done on X/Windows, it's still no match for the mighty Windows. BUT, it's catching up quickly, with X11, KDE and now Gnome, there will soon be some serious competition!
Supported?
Well, as we've already mentioned, there are those who make their living by selling and supporting Linux. Even our Alma Mater (DJE Systems) has begun pursuit of the Linux market. Hey - number 3 and still growing is too good to pass up!
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