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Linux: Wave of the Future or Passing High-Tech Fancy?
BNH interviews Michael Davis of North Haven, who is vice president of the Connecticut chapter of the Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA).
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Business New Haven
11/30/1998
By: Clement L. Russo
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What is Linux, and how was it developed?
Linux is a free, Unix-type operating system that was originally created by Linus Torvalds of Finland. It was developed to provide a low-cost alternative to those who work with Unix but can't afford to license the existing commercial implementations. One advantage of Linux is price: You can download it free. Another is that its source code is widely available, which allows adept users to develop complementary applications, fix bugs as soon as they emerge, or modify the software to meet their unique requirements. One of the original hopes behind Linux was that it might outstrip the capabilities of software obtained under traditional commercial licenses.
How is Linux different from other operating systems?
On one level, there's really no difference between Linux and Unix. But keep in mind that there are many dialects of Unix and, in that context, Linux may be considered one of them. In fact, many programs that run under Unix - such as Web servers and C, C++, and Java - will also run under Linux. Computers that run Linux can be connected via local area networks and the Internet with computers that run under other operating systems.
What are the limitations of a Linux-based system?
If the software you use is not available in a Unix version, then it's not going to run under Linux. While you can obtain database management, word processing, spreadsheet and accounting applications for a Linux-based system, you'd be out of luck if you wanted to run Microsoft Office. However, some Windows applications can be run under Linux using a Windows emulator called WINE.
What are the major obstacles to widespread acceptance of Linux among business users?
One issue is support. Under the public-license concept, the vendor-customer relationship doesn't exist, so there's no place to go to readily resolve problems, though companies like Red Hat have emerged, which distribute their own version of Linux and provide support for it. Another issue is that there's no big economic incentive to develop Linux-based applications. When companies pay a lot for an operating system, they're usually willing to pay more for the applications that can run on it. But with an operating system like Linux, which runs on less powerful hardware, what companies are willing to pay for applications is considerably less. The hope is that, as Linux becomes more widely accepted, the volume of potential users will encourage the development of low-cost applications.
How does a company determine if Linux is an operating system they should invest in?
First, companies should see if they can attract employees and consultants who understand Linux and will work with it. Then they should compare the merits of applications that run under Linux against applications that run under other operating systems, such as Windows or other dialects of Unix. The good news is that applications that run under Linux are likely to run under other Unix dialects that are commercially available. So if you're operating under Linux and it becomes a problem, it's a relatively straightforward effort to move your applications to another dialect of Unix.
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