Linux on the Move

Microsoft may be betting that Windows 2000 is where businesses want to go today but the Linux camp is certain that its operating system is what everyone will want to use tomorrow.

Linux has established a solid and loyal customer base and is forecast to continue its impressive growth:

• According to International Data Corporation (IDC), Linux has more than 10 million users and accounted for more than 16% of all computer server operating system shipments in 1998. This represented 212% growth compared to 1997.
• In 1999, the results were even more dramatic with Linux's share of the server operating system market growing from 16% to 25% according to IDC.
• IDC projects that Linux will grow faster than all other operating systems combined through 2003.

Linux's growth is driven core advantages. Linux is:

• Cost-Effective - no per-user licensing costs
• Portable - Because Linux comes with source code to the kernel and it is portable, it runs on more CPUs and platforms than any other computer operating system from embedded controllers to room-sized clusters with the performance of supercomputers
• Stable - continuous uptime of one or more years is not uncommon for Linux installations
• Secure - primarily as a result of open peer review throughout its development Linux uses the Unix idea of permissions. Only authorized users are able to modify, for example, global configuration files (settings that affect all users)
• Flexible - because source code is available and may be modified to fit customer needs
• Low risk - because its future development is not dependent upon a single corporation
• Internet-ready - Linux was designed from the ground up as a network operating system
• Open - based on published standards and built for interoperability
• Fast - Because Linux is open source, you can recompile the kernel to optimize it for your system unlike Microsoft Windows
• Multiuser - Linux is a true Multiuser system. Each user has their own directory for their own files and can choose to deny access to other users. Users "own" certain files and can also belong to group(s) which have certain access restrictions taken down
• No Viruses - With Linux, you don't have to waste valuable system resources above, Linux is so secure, a virus that attempts to delete a system critical file will receive a permission denied message the same as if a user without the proper privileges attempts to delete one