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Open Source Development Labs and Free Standards Group to Form New Linux Foundation TMCnet Contributing Editor The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) and the Free Standards Group (FSG) have decided to merge and form the Linux Foundation. The new organization will speed up the growth of Linux by providing a comprehensive set of services to compete effectively with closed platforms. Founding platinum members of the Linux Foundation include Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP, IBM, Intel, NEC, Novell, and Oracle (News - Alert). Jim Zemlin, former executive director of the Free Standards Group, will head the Linux Foundation. The foundation also includes every major company in the Linux industry, including Red Hat (News - Alert), and numerous community groups, universities and industry end users. “Computing is entering a world dominated by two platforms: Linux and Windows. While being managed under one roof has given Windows some consistency, Linux offers freedom of choice, customization and flexibility without forcing customers into vendor lock-in,” Zemlin said in a press release. “The Linux Foundation helps in the next stage of Linux growth by organizing the diverse companies and constituencies of the Linux ecosystem to promote, protect, and standardize Linux.” According to the press release, the Linux Foundation will continue sponsoring the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds. The foundation will implement a shared resources strategy to collaborate on platform development while enhancing the Linux market for end users, the community, developers and industry. OSDL and the FSG were formed more than six years ago. Since then, Linux has grown significantly in server, desktop, and embedded usage around the world. The Linux Foundation has been founded to help close the gap between open source and proprietary platforms, while sustaining the openness, freedom of choice and technical superiority inherent in open source software. Don't forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP  Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.-------- Niladri Sekhar Nath is a contributing writer for TMCnet covering telecommunications, service providers and networking. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page. |