United Linux

[Sage]

I was reading an article in this mag the other day and came across something about "United Linux".

If you havent heard, a group of Linux distributors have come together to make a Linux that is universal - being that there is one standard code. All this just to combat RedHat.

Sound Familiar? Seems that Linux maybe running down the road of Windows.

Seems everyday that Linux is becoming more "closed-source".

But yer

LINUX FOR GOD

[voidmain]

Huh?  United Linux has nothing to do with closing up source code. You must be thinking of Lindows. It is a group of companies that got together to standardize on a base OS thinking it would be better for developers to write apps against.  I think it's just a way for all those weenie Linux distros to finally go out of business together.      

Linux and GNU software will never be closed source. Sure there will be add on applications that will be closed source, as there are now. Hopefully more of the vendors that write Windows apps will also port their apps to Linux.

Demanding that they open up their source code will not make them run to Linux.  However, if they decide to open their source all the better. There is no rule anywhere that states your application must be GPL or open source if you write an application for Linux. The goal is for there to be Free/free software alternatives though.  Where there aren't, the proprietary apps will sell.

[ September 17, 2002: Message edited by: void main ]

[KernelPanic]

Was it linux format you were reading?
If it was you have read the article all wrong.

[Calum]

i read that article too, and it is not that.

it is about creating a standard set of linux rules (like posix maybe a bit but more wide ranging and more contemporary) and then, any distros that voluntarily comply to these specs get given a certificate saying they are compliant.

This sounds like a great idea to me, newbies will know that UL certified docs will apply 100% to their distro so long as it is also UL certified.

There's nothing to stop, for example, slackware or debian from not bothering to comply, since a lot of people will still use them, those people will just know that their distro is not 100% compliant, which for people who already use those systems, might even be a good thing.

[Sage]

You people have seemed to miss the point of what I was saying.

I was talking about the competiton between all Linux companies, its becoming a cat and mouse fight.

Seems that RedHat is now the dominant figure for Linux. Some people may disagree, but I feel it is true. Plainly because of RedHats ease of use (For which I like   )

[voidmain]

RedHat has been dominant for quite some time now. Most of the other companies that make up United Linux were about to go under and who knows, some or all of them could still go under in the near future.  I see it as their last ditch effort to combine forces to try and compete with RedHat. Who knows, maybe they will be able to compete with RedHat and I'm not saying that is a bad thing. But they have to be good and have their shit together, something RedHat has had for quite some time now.

Also remember that all of the distros in question are companies that are required to be profitable.  Not all Linux distros are.  Debian for example is quite popular and I expect it to be around forever because it is not a company. It is the users who keep that distro going.

I happen to also like RedHat and have used it for many years. I believe RedHat is good for Linux, even though I was very skeptical the day they announced their IPO. To date they have not done anything that makes me think they will change their ways. Lindows on the other hand is a prime example of what is bad for Linux.

The distros behind United Linux were not as good as RedHat overall for whatever reasons. Maybe after combining forces and standardizing their base OS they can gain ground and compete.  Again, competition is good for everyone even though some would say that it is better to only have one distro and one standard. I will never agree with those people, it's all about choice. And one would hope that the cream will float to the top.

I certainly could be wrong but at this point I can't see United Linux ever making a significant impact. Just very recently many companies appear to be jumping on the RedHat boat (IBM, Sun, HP). I've not seen much interest in United Linux by major companies. It's still early though...

[ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: void main ]

[Calum]

mandrake is as good as red hat, and from what i hear it has been teetering on the brink for some time.

contrary to popular opinion, marketing is most of what keeps a business alive.

what other companies are involved in this enterprise? i thought red hat was part of it, i didn't realise it was such a business oriented issue, sounds like i got the wrong idea too...

[Sage]

Well business is the thing key issue of this debate. Being a "certified Linux professional" just dosent put the food on the table. Some may disagree, but depends what kind of job you do have.

But the process of actually "ganging" up on RedHat is to make the money. Maybe the people who contributed toward Debian are looking for some sort of payment  

I read somewhere that Dell and GateWay have shipped Linux with there computers for a long time now. So there is people out there who will buy Linux with a computer.

Lets all hope that some time in the near future Linux will be an equal to Windblows. Until then, we can just bash it  

[KernelPanic]

quote:Originally posted by Sage:
Well business is the thing key issue of this debate. Being a "certified Linux professional" just dosent put the food on the table. Some may disagree, but depends what kind of job you do have.

But the process of actually "ganging" up on RedHat is to make the money. Maybe the people who contributed toward Debian are looking for some sort of payment    

I read somewhere that Dell and GateWay have shipped Linux with there computers for a long time now. So there is people out there who will buy Linux with a computer.

Lets all hope that some time in the near future Linux will be an equal to Windblows. Until then, we can just bash it    

Nice pun, man!