Linux getting too big? A philosophical question.

[hard candy]

I've only been using Linux for a year and am still learning code, what the different /etc files are used for, and how to fix a gui. So I'm not a veteren or anything. But I've started feeling maybe linux was starting to creep into commercialism. I'm running into proprietary programs such as Crossover Quicktime, WineX, some graphic card drivers (early nVidea), Xi graphics to name some.
I read that linux will be in 42% of commercial servers by 2005. Xerox, HP are coming out with proprietary versions of linux software. I see Lindows (a subscription service) in Walmart.
I'm starting to feel a little nervous that linux is being co-opted by Big Business. I realize that there will always be open source due to the GNU license. But in a few years, it seems a lot of folks will end up using a proprietary form of linux if they switch from Windows or OSX. So why should they switch?
Am I being a chicken little with the sky falling? Will things sort themselves out? Do I have more important things to worry about?:confused:

[plattypus1]

Well, under normal circumstances I'd say that any Linux is good Linux... but you do present a convincing scenario. It's not a problem now... but I see RH leaning that way, and Lindows and the like are already there. (Lycoris install doesn't even mention the GPL 'cept in tiny letters at the bottom) Let us all hope that nobody really rips Linux off... I can see Microsoft stealing half the source code and porting it or something... and that the GPL keeps us free.

[Atealtha]

If people want to release commercial Linux distros, let them. There are many free ones out there. Why pay for bloated distros when there can be custom ones made from scratch with minimal kernels that load much faster? And with the fact that you can make Linux from scratch, I don't see "commercial" distros as a problem.

And Linux in commercial servers? what does your source mean by "commercial"? You mean big name companies running webservers and such on linux? If that's what it is, then that's good for Linux.

As for software costing money, I wouldn't mind paying for nice games from experienced, mature companies.

[saturn-vk]

do you expect all your software to be free of cost and open sourced? There are products out there that do not qualify in the above categories, yet they are grand pieces of software. an example of that is the maya for linux products, i have payed good money for a product from that lineup and am enjoying every cent of it. and i will gladly spill some money on games.

and remember, there will always be distros such as slackware!

plus, if your friend buys that future proprietary linux distro, you can just copy it from him (well most of it, since it will be covered by the GPL.)

[Icarus]

Yes, Linux is getting too big...most major distros take up 3 CD-ROMs or more! :eek:

[hard candy]

I apologize if I came across as wanting "free beer" linux instead of "free speech" linux.
I wanted to start a discussion on the merits of corporate linux. Would it help the open source community or swallow up linux? Would there be so much proprietary linux distros and programs that the open source would be shunted aside.
I see BSD as a small branch of unix that most people aren't exposed to because the commercial unix market is so big that some people think of Sun or IBM as being unix. Will open source linux become like that? A small branch on a big tree?
Now if Morrowind was available as a linux port, I would buy it- even though I already own the windows version. Just to support that development. And I bought the RedHat8 distro- to support it. And I sent money to a couple of distros. And I paid for the LimeWire Pro version- to support it (and not see the ads!)
Again, is open source strong enough to keep growing? Or will it become marginalized?
:confused:

[Raoul_Duke]

Originally posted by mahdi
Yes, Linux is getting too big...most major distros take up 3 CD-ROMs or more! :eek:

:D Hehe.....kept me laughing for 5 mins :D

RE: main subject

yeah, i know what you mean......i guess it's up to how much the corps like IBM and HP respect the GPL :(

[Icarus]

I can see now how big Linux is getting in workplaces. Look at all the little companies moving/moved to a Linux only workplace.
Little companies like Oracle, Merrill Lynch and Staples. Just a couple 'little guys' I can think of off the top of my head :)
Originally posted by Raoul_Duke
:D Hehe.....kept me laughing for 5 mins :D
I hope you weren't drinking anything at the time...spraying pop on your monitor out of your nose is no fun at all (trust me on this one...clears out the sinuses though ;))

[evac-q8r]

Originally posted by mahdi
Yes, Linux is getting too big...most major distros take up 3 CD-ROMs or more! :eek:

This is true, but it is not necessarily the case that you must use all of the packages on all the CD's. Therefore, I don't think it is bloated. I think they are just offering a world of options for you to choose from. Is that so bad. It gives Linux users an opportunity to explore all the various tools available to us. And its not like you can't disable certain services by recompiling the kernel, but most people are unable to do this. If this weren't the case then I'd say it is bloated.

EVAC

[Icarus]

Originally posted by evac-q8r
This is true, but it is not necessarily the case that you must use all of the packages on all the CD's. Therefore, I don't think it is bloated. I think they are just offering a world of options for you to choose from. Is that so bad. It gives Linux users an opportunity to explore all the various tools available to us. And its not like you can't disable certain services by recompiling the kernel, but most people are unable to do this. If this weren't the case then I'd say it is bloated.

EVAC Exactly, the 3 CD comment was a joke ;)

The reason most of them these days use 3 CDs is because these disks have almost every application you will ever need...including servers! I think it is great that they offer you the tools to make a server without having to get seperate packages.

[Raoul_Duke]

Originally posted by mahdi
I hope you weren't drinking anything at the time...spraying pop on your monitor out of your nose is no fun at all (trust me on this one...clears out the sinuses though ;))

Hehe.......i've lost a perfectly good keyboard to a similar situation ;)

[retoon]

Staples? I didn't know that. Could you provide a link with information about how staples made the switch?