Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter and Others Bring Open Source Group to The Linux Foundation

 The TODO Group advances best practices, tools and programs for building critical open source infrastructure; welcomes Autodesk, CapitalOne, Netflix, and SanDisk as new members

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit – March 29, 2016 – The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization enabling mass innovation through open source, today is announcing it will host the TODO Group, a cross-industry effort to focus on establishing best practices, tools and programs to support corporate open source engagement. The TODO Group was originally formed in November 2014.

With the move to become a Linux Foundation project, the TODO Group is also announcing new member participation. New members include Autodesk, CapitalOne, Netflix, and SanDisk, who join existing contributors Box, Dropbox, Facebook, GitHub, Google, HPE, Khan Academy, Microsoft, Square, Stripe, Twitter, Walmart Labs and Yahoo. As major technology innovators are pushing the limits on open source development to build fast and build well, there is a growing requirement to collaborate on best practices, tools and programs to support the code.

Open source software enables businesses to unite development resources and build common software solutions that ultimately save billions in R&D costs. More than 78 percent of companies cite a reliance on open source software in business operations (Channel Insider, Open-Source Software Reaches Near-Ubiquity). But while open source has become the de-facto standard for software development, there is a gap in the knowledge surrounding development, IP, training and certification, governance and more. These are critical components for establishing, building and sustaining open source projects for the long-term. Because The Linux Foundation today hosts some of the world’s most critical open source projects and provides the events and training opportunities to support these projects, it is a natural home for the TODO Group.

“From carmakers and banks to retailers and hospitals, every industry relies on open source software, and every company is an Internet company,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director, The Linux Foundation. “The TODO Group reaches across industries to collaborate with open source technical and business leaders to share best practices, tools and programs for building dependable, effective projects for the long term.” 

For more information about the TODO Group, please visit http://todogroup.org/.

Comments from Newest Members

Autodesk
“Driving continued open source growth requires professional management and investment by companies of all kinds,” said Guy Martin, Director of Open Source Strategy, Autodesk. “We are excited to join the TODO Group to share and collaborate on best practices in this critical area of open source.”

SanDisk
“SanDisk saw the importance of investing in an open source office a few years ago and wholeheartedly supports companies following and sharing best practices in engaging with the open source community. The establishment of the TODO Group under The Linux Foundation is consistent with the role of The Linux Foundation to promote collaboration on best practices and policies in open source engagement. I look forward to sharing and working with my fellow open source officers at the sub-group,” said Nithya Ruff, Director, Open Source Strategy Office, SanDisk.

About The Linux Foundation
The Linux Foundation is the organization of choice for the world’s top developers and companies to build ecosystems that accelerate open technology development and commercial adoption. Together with the worldwide open source community, it is solving the hardest technology problems by creating the largest shared technology investment in history. Founded in 2000, The Linux Foundation today provides tools, training and events to scale any open source project, which together deliver an economic impact not achievable by any one company. More information can be found at www.linuxfoundation.org. 

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