Publications

Who Writes Linux thumbnail   Linux Kernel Development: How Fast it is Going, Who is Doing It, What They are Doing, and Who is Sponsoring It
Authors: Greg Kroah-Hartman, SuSE Labs/Novell Inc., Jonathan Corbet, LWN.net, Amanda McPherson, Linux Foundation
The kernel which forms the core of the Linux system is the result of one of the largest cooperative software projects ever attempted. The rate of change in the kernel is high and increasing, with over 10,000 patches going into each recent kernel release. These releases each contain the work of over 1000 developers representing around 200 corporations. This is an update to the April 2008 white paper.
August 2009
PDF Version
Cloud thumbnail   Linux: The Operating System of the Cloud
Author: Amanda McPherson, Linux Foundation
After struggling to reach mainstream status in the technology world for years, utility computing may yet arrive in the coming quarters. This time around, however, it will be known as cloud computing. And when cloud computing does cross the chasm into mainstream adoption, it will be powered by Linux.
May 2009
PDF Version
IDC thumbnail   The Opportunity for Linux in a New
Economy

Author: Al Gillen, Program Vice President, System Software at IDC
This Linux Foundation sponsored IDC white paper takes a look at the forecast for Linux in a new economy. The paper predicts Linux will be the long-term winner in the OS market, rebounding more aggressively than other platforms.
April 2009
PDF Version
Estimating Linux Publication Thumbnail   Estimating the Total Cost of a Linux Distribution 
Authors: Amanda McPherson, Brian Proffitt and Ron Hale-Evans
An examination of how much it would cost to build the average Linux distribution, from scratch, today.
October 2008
PDF Version
Reducing Complexity Thumbnail   Reducing Complexity for ISVs Targeting Linux
Author: Linux Standard Base
Linux and its variances between distributions present independent software vendors (ISVs) and individual developers with a unique set of challenges: different distributions of Linux make use of different versions of libraries, store important files in different locations, and so on. But there is a way to reduce this complexity.
October 2008
PDF Version
Community Publication Thumbnail   How to Participate in the Linux Community
Author: Jon Corbet
This document will help developers (and their managers) work with the development community with a minimum of frustration. It is an attempt to document how this community works in a way which is accessible to those who are not intimately familiar with Linux kernel development.
August 2008
Driver Model Publication Thumbnail   The Linux Driver Model: A Better Way to Support Devices
Author: Dan Kohn
While Linux will not provide a stable source or binary interface for driver developers, independend hardware vendors should familiarize themselves with a number of useful projects, many sponsored by the Linux Foundation, that ease driver development, including the Hardware NDA program, the Linux Drivers Project, and the Driver Backport Workgroup.
June 2008
Thumbnail Image   Linux Kernel Development: How Fast it is Going, Who is Doing It, What They are Doing, and Who is Sponsoring It
Authors: Greg Kroah-Hartman, Jon Corbet and Amanda McPherson
The kernel which forms the core of the Linux system is the result of one of the largest cooperative software projects ever attempted. The rate of change in the kernel is high and increasing. This paper examines the players in the Linux kernel development process.
April 2008
Linux Graphics Publication Thumbnail   Linux Graphics Essay
Author: James Bottomley
The purpose of this document is to illustrate by example the strengths and weaknesses of the open source development model versus the binary driver one.
July 2008