Why Linux Is The Future of Computing

Presentation to La Trobe Valley Miniconf.

July !th" #$%
http://levlafayette.com

The Computer &e'olution
The electronic networked computer is the single most important
technology of the contemporary age. Like all great transformative
technologies it is a combination of existing technologies synthesized
into a new and improved system.
First generation
computers !"#"$!"%%.
&econd generation
computers 'transitors(
!"%%$!")*
Third generation
computers 'integrated
+ircuit( !")!$
Fourth generation
computers ',nternet-
multiprocessor '!""#$.. (

What Is Linux (ny)ay*
Linux is a .nix$like kernel for an operating system first released in
!""!. The Linux kernel is usually
bundled with the /0. operating
system utilities.
/0. Linux is a Free and
1pen &ource operating
system. The source code
may be viewed- modified- copied-
and distributed. 2any applications
also use this sort of license 'or
something very close( but are not
Linux specific. This includes L
ibre1ffice- Firefox- 3pache webserver- database systems 'e.g.-
4ostgres- 2y&5L(- compiler suites '/++(. /0. Linux is typically
accessed through bundles of packages known as distributions.
6istributions may include different package managers- different desktop
environments etc.

( +,- Linux F.// Map

0istribution of Computer /ystems
The distribution of computer systems can be distinguished by functional
market share. This includes mobile devices 'phones and tablets(- laptops
and desktop systems- server systems- computational peripherals- and
supercomputers.
Mobile devices: 3ccording to ,6+ 3ndroid Linux has an overwhelming
ma7ority of the mobile phone market as of 8*!#59 'c):;- ,1& !:;-
<indows 9;(. 3ccording to &trategy 3nalysis tablets are between ,1& and
3ndroid as of 8*!#5! ',1& 9:;- 3ndroid 9#;- 2&$<indows :;(
Laptops and Desktops: 3ccording to 0et 3pplications- 2&$<indows has an
overwhelming market share as of 2ay 8*!9 'c"!;-1& = );- Linux 8;(
Server Systems: >ased on <#Techs Feb 8*!9 of ,nternet servers 'web- mail
and 60& servers(- Linux is dominant 'c?%;- 2&$<indows ##;(
Supercomputers: >ased on the Top%** Linux has an overwhelming ma7ority
'");- .0,= 8.9;- 2&$<indows *.9;(
<hen 2ark &huttleworth launched the .buntu distribution in 8**9 he also
introduced @bug A!B for resolution: @ 2icrosoft has a ma7ority market share@.
,n 8*!# this bug was closed. https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/Cbug/!

Why Linux /uccee1s
Linux succeeds because of four interrelated reasons:
!( ,t is derived and mostly compatible with .nix operating systems. .nix
dates back from !")8- itself a +$based rewrite from 2ultics- a pro7ect
that was initiated in !"?9. 6espite being relatively new '!""!(- /0.
Linux comes with the experience of around fifty years of computer
development.
8( <ith this experience and development- it is technically superior. ,t is
scalable- stable- secure- and efficient.
#( ,t uses the /4L- a F1&& license. &oftware development is very
similar to academic research short$term inspiration and long$term
success depends on a thorough and critical process of open peer
review.
9( >ecause of the F1&& license it has a powerful community of
enthusiasts- professionals- and supportive businesses.

Linux an1 The Future
+omputational devices are becoming more powerful 'roughly doubling
in processing and storage capacity every two years- an oberved metric
that has been true since !"%: 'Moore's 'LawD from the !"?%
publication(. 3 typical home computer desktop by 8*8* will have !? T>
of storage- !8: /> of E32- !** >,4& of manycore processing.
+omputing is becoming increasing ubiFuitous @the ,nternet of thingsB-
expansion of machine$to$machine communication- and expansion of
computational devices 'e.g.- #6 printing(. 3>, Eesearch estimates #*
billion devices connected by 8*8*.
This situation will mean that the key features of Linux- both technical
and social- will be in increasing demand. Gowever- expectations exist
for monopolistic attempts to truncuate this potential 'e.g.- software
patents- anticompetitive practises- technological blocks etc(.

Linux an1 The Future