[NEWS] IBM Puts $100M Behind Linux Push

[Mr.Guvernment]

go linux go!

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| IBM Puts $100M Behind Linux Push |
| from the big-blue-penguin dept. |
| posted by Zonk on Friday February 18, @11:19 (Linux Business) |
| http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/02/18/1411215 |
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IainMH writes "Over at the BBC, there is a report that despite the [0]slow build up, [1]IBM is spending $100m (#52m) over the next three years beefing up its commitment to Linux software. It continues: 'The cash injection will be used to help its customers use Linux on every type of device from handheld computers and phones right up to powerful servers.'" Commentary and coverage also available on [2]TechNewsWorld and [3]ZDNet.

Discuss this story at:
http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=05/02/18/1411215

Links:
0. http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/01/26/0022201&tid=163
1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4276287.stm
2. http://www.technewsworld.com/story/40722.html
3. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5580976.html

 

[SatanSkin]

Heard this a few days back. Great news for us all! Can't wait to see how much work gets done with $100m behind it!

 

[klingens]

So their "2 Billion Dollars for Linux" from yesteryear is already spent?

Just remember: IBM isn't doing that out of goodwill. They want a sizable RoI on those millions.

 

[SatanSkin]

True, but it encourages companies to port more software to the linux OS, which in turn increases the appeal of it to the masses, which in return increases its appeal for companies to port even more applications and get on board with improving the development of it, which in the end means an all-around better OS for us!

 

[Laughing Man]

though a bad thing is it'll get really popular and hackers will start targeting it.

 

[Mr.Guvernment]

^^^ well not if it is as secure as SO SO many linux gur's claim it is..... guess time will tell how great this so called linux O/S really is once it has the spot light...

 

[tenchi86]

If it does ver get the spot light. Mac has had just as much money behind it, and its still not in any hackers spotlight. It may be more secure then windows but I dont think linux could hack it much better then windows is.

 

[rogerdugans]

Due to the way linux is built I think that in some ways it would fare better than Windows and in others worse.
To explain:
Better:
The facts that using a superuser account (root) for everyday tasks is discouraged and a normal user account has very little ability to wreck a system help make linux more secure. M$ has gone the same way with WinXP, sort of.

A basic installation of most distros contains mostly software that has been put through the wringer by thousands and thousands of users and programmers- bugs are worked out of it mostly. New code is put through the wringer before it is widely adopted.

The large user base of knowledgeable people helps to find and fix problems much faster than proprietary software.

Worse:
Since it is very common for applications to be written by one or a few individuals, most of us do not hesitate to try out new and obscure software- slimeballs could be the ones coding it and it COULD include viruses or code to screw up permissions. Most of us are NOT programmers and so even if the actual source is available we might never look at it, much less understand it.

But back on the main topic:

I am happy to see any and every piece of news about things that advance linux.
More development money means more development, knwoledge and user awareness which all adds up to a better linux.
For that matter, a better Linux ALSO means a Better Windows and MacOS because competition improves the product.
More power for computer users- YAY!

 

[Mr.Guvernment]

am happy to see any and every piece of news about things that advance linux.
More development money means more development, knwoledge and user awareness which all adds up to a better linux.
For that matter, a better Linux ALSO means a Better Windows and MacOS because competition improves the product.
More power for computer users- YAY!

I will second that one for sure!