This story was originally published on March 1, 2011, and is brought to you today as part of our Best of ECT News series.
How many out there use Linux? I bet if I asked 100 people, less than 10 percent would say yes. To be fair, people think in terms of computers, laptops, netbooks, and desktops, and that demographic is 90 percent Windows, 90 percent Microsoft-centric. But computers and OSes that power them permeate all aspects of our lives today.
While people mostly don’t care about computing they don’t directly choose and pay for, I think people might be surprised at the numbers and how much they do use Linux. Let’s let people know computing doesn’t always equate to Microsoft or Apple. Let’s spread the word that our world of technology is often “powered by Linux.”
Linux Everywhere
Do you Google? You use Linux! Do you do shop at Amazon? You use Linux! Do you have a router for your home network? Do you have NAS (Network Attached Storage) on your home network for shared backups? Do you own a Logitech Squeezebox? Do you Tivo your shows? How about a smartphone (not iPhone)? Linux, Linux, Linux, Linux and probably Linux.
Common Uses
Every time you use Google, you tap into an amazing network of modified Linux servers. Estimates range in the mid to high hundreds of thousands of Linux servers at your service. Google created search as we know it (all due respect to Alta Vista, et al, for their groundwork). Linux gave Google the technology to get it done.
Amazon, the world leader for online retail, bet its company on Linux around 2001. It would appear that Amazon’s success shows Linux to be a good bet.
Amazon also chose Linux for its Kindle OS. Interestingly, so did Barnes & Noble for its e-reader, the Nook.
Android smartphones run a Linux derivative. And 2010 was Linux’s watershed year on smartphones, when Android phones combined exceeded total iPhone units, becoming the number one smartphone OS.
Important Research
NASA uses Linux. I remember viewing NASA news footage and feeling certain I saw computer monitors sporting what clearly was some form of an Xwindows session, and window trim told of Tom’s Window Manager (twm). I couldn’t be absolutely sure, but this article supports the evidence. Also, this article on Ubuntu at NASA talks about Linux at NASA in general. So does , this one.
Fermilab depends on Linux enough that it has its own Linux distribution, “Fermi Linux.” It also does intensive computing with the Linux Networx Cluster Supercomputer.
What’s cool about this is that Linux is a major component that keeps our world going. It’s durable and tough enough to hold up to real-world use. And all these devices and platforms running Linux sustain a subculture — almost a cult — of techies hungry for tech. At the surface, but hidden, Linux is everywhere. Underneath, but exposed, is a wealth of hosts and servers that techies routinely login to for a Linux session fix.
My personal favorite is my Western Digital NAS. I ssh directly into the device. It’s a pared-down Linux installation but with enough functionality to let me play. I’ve modified some of the scripts, changed some of the startup functionality, and learned something about NAS architecture. I even installed Squeeze Server to provide streaming music to my Logitech Squeeze players (also powered by Linux, btw). Good stuff — a useful gadget that provides full backups of our network of home computers and a tiny little sandbox playground for me.
Popular Culture
I’ve only revealed the tip of the Linux iceberg, but if there is any doubt Linux is everywhere, consider its latest foray into TV game shows, no less. Watson, the supercomputer and contestant on a specially staged three-day “Jeopardy” event handily defeated two of “Jeopardy’s” greatest champions. Yes, Watson is Linux.
Here’s an interesting blog post on why Linux gets selected for the big shows (hint: flexible, powerful, reliable, POSIX, Unix based…).
Giving Linux Its Due
We in the Linux community fret that Linux doesn’t get its due. We know Linux is recognized professionally. It would be nice if there were more recognition from the general public. People know GE makes light bulbs. People know Ford makes cars. They know General Mills makes cereal. It would be nice if they knew more about who makes technology.
There is evidence that some people know. I once took my car in for new tires and when paying the invoice the cashier noticed my “LINUX” license plates and commented, “Oh yeah, that’s that new computer system… .” I was stunned and to this day don’t know if she really knew or perhaps googled it on one of their computers. Either way, she knew a little more about Linux.
Chin up — keep spreading the word. It’s our task to educate. Take opportunities to enlighten. Tell the world that computing doesn’t always mean Microsoft (or Apple, for that matter). Let others know we live in a technology world “powered by Linux.” It may not be interesting to many, but it’s important that they at least hear it mentioned. Powered by Linux. It’s a good thing.
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I think Linux is leading in server. Many of the small company are using Linux server are they getting good up timing of websites.