Profile: Linux Foundation

Julien Eid

Rationale

We wanted to cover the Linux Foundation due to all of us having extensive knowledge using Linux. We wanted to know more about what they do due to our use of Linux. We all kind of chose at the same time and all agreed just because we all wanted to know more.

Organizational Details

  • Oregon-based nonprofit mutual benefit corporation
  • Founded 2000, Incorporated August 9th, 2007
  • TODO: Info on founders is very hard to find
    • I've emailed the Foundation asking for information
  • Private company
  • No acquisitions
  • "No investments"
  • 21 Leaders
  • HQ in San Francisco
  • Also offices in Japan and Korea

Communications

Social media

Communications channels

Conference Participation

  • The Linux Foundation hosts a lot of conferences. They have 15 conferences planned from March to the end of the year.
  • They also have partner conferences too where they team up with other companies to host conferences.
    • There are at least 12 until the end of the year.
  • They cover a variety of topics, all of which relate to Linux somehow.
  • Some conferences are colocated on the same date and location so that smaller conferences can be booked with larger conferences.
  • Android Builders Summit on March 23rd
  • Embedded Linux Conference on March 23rd
  • ApacheCon on April 13th
  • KVMForum on August 19th
  • Annual Linux Kernel Summit on October 26th

Community Architecture

Communication Channels

Membership

  • Anyone can join
  • Fee based
  • Corporate
  • Individual

Corporate Members

About

  • Distribute the Linux kernel and other Open Source software to the public without charge.
  • Initial Git commit Linux-2.6.12-rc2 April 16, 2005
  • Patches are approved by kernel module subcommitees
  • BDFL = Linus Torvalds

Community Participation

  • Participation is increasing: YoTLD
  • Passes Raptor Test (Board of Directors, set process to replace)
  • Passes Bus Test (with due chaos)
  • kernelnewbies.org

Technology/Product

Linux

  • The Linux Foundation is centered around promoting, standardizing, and protecting Linux.
  • Linux is an open source operating system used on tons of platforms ranging from small embedded devices to large clusters of servers.
  • Anyone needing a non-realtime operating system kernel could benefit from using Linux.
  • Massive amounts of companies have a stake in the Linux kernel as well as the Linux Foundation. There are 185 corporate members of the Linux Foundation.
  • One of the main reasons Linux became so popular was that it was open sourced and GPL licensed, which wasn’t common when it was made.