Torvalds: Open Source Keeps People Honest, Mar 29, 2004

Linus Torvalds, the "father" of Linux, is an expert in, and exponent of, open-source development. InformationWeek recently exchanged E-mail with him.

InformationWeek: Can you give us a quick update on your work at the Open Source Development Labs? Where do things stand in the effort to develop "data-center Linux"?

Torvalds: My work personally is very simple: My sole responsibility is literally to "maintain the Linux kernel." We were very careful indeed to make it clear that different OSDL projects do not actually in any way impact my maintenance, and as such I'm totally independent of other OSDL projects, like the data-center Linux project. Same goes for Andrew [Morton, who maintains the Linux kernel].

A cheap handheld computer designed by Indian scientists has been launched after a delay of nearly three years.

The team first came up with the idea for the Simputer in 2001 to help India's poor join the internet age.

Linux costs more than Windows - that is the conclusion of the latest survey into the two operating systems, according to The Yankee Group.

You're entitled to feel more than a little sceptical when Microsoft commissions research that concludes Windows is better than the open-source OS from a total cost of ownership (TCO) perspective. Indeed, there has been a steady stream of these over the years from major research houses, always with questionable intrinsic assumptions.

The GPL is, as far as I can see, the most innovative adjustment to copyright and IP contracts that has occurred for decades - maybe even centuries. The idea is, in essence, a simple one. Previously creators and collaborators in the creation of IP (or works covered by copyright - software happens to fall into both categories at times) chose either to defend their legal ownership via copyright and/or the lodging of patents or they chose to make it freely available. The GPL plows a middle course, allowing free usage of software source code on condition that whatever is added (source code and IP) is also provided to others on the same basis. It thus encourages collaboration by those who wish to share the fruits of their labour without direct commercial reward, but wish to retain a level of control on it usage.

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