Lessons from Atlanta

Keeping it Real: The Atlanta Linux Showcase volunteers put on a top quality community show this year. SEAN SUMMERS/LWN.NET

Just got back from the Atlanta Linux Showcase, and I have to say it was a blast. Nearly 4,000 people and about 70 vendors showed up, which is about double last year’s attendance… Not bad for a volunteer-coordinated event. My hat is off to the Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts, the group of people who make ALS happen every year.

As a band of volunteers staging a highly visible and successful show, ALS exemplifies the primary challenge we face as a community. They have offers coming at them from all directions — offers to make ALS into a much more “commercial” production. But that wouldn’t be true to their roots or their principles. ALE wants ALS to remain a “community” show, not a commercial endeavor. So they are exerting great effort to make sure that no matter how popular they become, they stay focused on the community. It’s that kind of spirit and that kind of heart that made Linux successful in the first place.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, after deciding that they hadn’t stirred up the muck-bucket for too long now, in October Microsoft decided to put a “Linux Myths” document up on its Web site. It’s basically just more drivel about how not-ready-for-prime-time Linux is in Microsoft’s eyes. For a company that thinks so little of Linux, Microsoft sure does have a lot to say about it.

So, in honor of Microsoft posting the “Linux Myths,” we decided to name an article after them in this month’s issue: Macrohard: Could Any Company Steal The Linux Source Code? In reality, the piece has almost nothing to do with Microsoft, but we thought it was a funny title. The story itself is hilarious while at the same time covering some very important issues that underpin the foundation of the open source movement in general and Linux in particular.

While Microsoft tries to knock it down, Linux is gathering momentum and support from all sides. For example, Red Hat signed a deal with Compaq that will put Compaq’s huge support organization behind Linux. Additionally, VA Linux Systems filed to go public in October, and I want to wish them the best of luck. With every company to go public, and with every deal that the existing Linux companies strike with large players in the commercial computing space, Linux’s credibility in the eyes of corporate America is enhanced. Let Microsoft say what it wants. Between the efforts of Linux companies everywhere and people like the ALE carrying the community torch, Linux is doing just fine when it comes to developing credibility. See you next month.

Adam M. Goodman

Editor & Publisher