Will the Last Linux Firm Please Turn Out the Lights?
At first, Linux developers were all
about the purity of free software. Then, for many of them, it was all about becoming millionaires. Now it’s just about trying to land a new job before their Linux company bites the dust.
At first, Linux developers were all about the purity of free software. Then, for many of them, it was all about becoming millionaires. Now it’s just about trying to land a new job before their Linux company bites the dust.
It’s bad out there brethren and sisthren. (Yes, I know sisthren isn’t a real word, but it should be! I’ve loved it ever since I heard the Reduced Shakespeare Company use it in a skit.)
Technically, Linux is better than ever. Linux 2.4 really was a giant step forward. Whether you’re a KDE 2.2 or GNOME 1.4 fan, or even like running Windows on Linux (thank you Win4Lin), the Linux desktop is looking so sharp you could cut yourself.
Too bad technically better hasn’t won the race. With a stock market that’s as skittish as a colt with a horsefly after it, the Linux companies have seen their fortunes disappear as fast as Covad and PSINet. But, as I write this in late July, none of the big ones have crashed — yet.
It’s going to happen, though. Rain has to fall, the sun has to set, and most Linux companies will have to close up shop. You don’t need tarot cards to see it coming. All you have to do is read the news.
Take the embedded Linux market. To me, this market always made sense. Whether PC sales were up or down, businesses have always needed embedded processors. Competition in the embedded space is hard….
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