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How Big-Business Linux Got Its Start
Posted on Sep 29, 2005 at 03:54 PM by John Foley
Linux has come a long way since the first kernel was released by Linus Torvalds in 1991. Few business people had ever heard of Linux back then, and early adopters were often do-it-yourselfers who did some of the software assembly themselves to get a full-blown operating system. Now Linux and other parts of the open-source stack serve a vital role in the IT operations of big companies like ABN Amro, Disney, Sabre Holdings, and UPS. Larry Greenemeier's story, "Open Sources Goes Corporate," got me thinking about the early days of Linux. So I searched the archives and pulled the following story on the release of Linux 1.0.
The article below appeared in the June 20, 1994, issue of Open Systems Today, published by CMP Media and merged into InformationWeek the following year. It describes the release of Linux 1.0 on CD-ROM and names some of the early vendors in the emerging market.
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Open Systems Today
June 20, 1994
Linux OS Seen Ready For Prime Time -- Version 1.0, Considered Robust And Stable, Now Available On CD-ROMs From Several Sources
By John Foley
A number of companies have begun offering the Linux 1.0 operating system on CD-ROM, a release that Linux aficionados consider mature enough for business use.
"It's past the beta stage. It's a true operating system now," said Kim Goldberger of InfoMagic, Rocky Hill, N.J., one of the handful of companies that is selling Linux on CD-ROM.
Linux, a Unix-like 32-bit OS that runs on Intel-based PCs, has been available for two or three years at no cost over the Internet, as well as on CD-ROM in pre-1.0 versions. Linux 1.0-the first release stable and robust enough to earn the "1.0" label-has been available online since spring and began shipping on CD-ROM less than two months ago.
Vendors selling Linux 1.0 on CD-ROM include InfoMagic; Trans-Ameritech, Santa Clara, Calif.; and Yggdrasil, San Jose. Red Hat Software, Durham, N.C., plans to join the competition when it begins shipping a product next month.
Linux vendors are aiming their products at users who are looking for Unix functionality on a desktop, but who don't want to spend $1,000 or more to get it. Linux can run on a 386-based PC with 4 Mbytes of RAM (though 8 Mbytes is recommended), and CD-ROM packages sell for less than $50.
The Linux kernel was developed by Linis Torvalds, who lives in Finland and shares his work over the Internet. Developers worldwide continue to add enhancements and fixes to the operating system, which they post on the Internet for all to share. The Linux kernel and associated programs are available on the Internet via anonymous ftp at tsx-11.mit.edu and sunsite.unc.edu.
Linux resellers download Linux from the Internet and put it on CD-ROM, while attempting to add some value in the process. Marc Ewing, founder and one of two employees at Red Hat Software, said his company's product will feature an easy-to-use installation program.
The CD-ROM packages generally come with multiple versions of the Linux kernel, system services and tools, and other software from the Linux archives on the Internet, including X Windows, C and C++ compilers, debugging tools, a range of device drivers, a GNU Emacs editor, a scripting language and a Motif-like widget set called Tcl/Tk.
"It is amazingly complete," said Ewing.
While low cost is a strong selling point, ongoing support is not. "People can call me up, I suppose, or E-mail me with questions!," said Ewing. "But after it's installed, we're not going to teach them systems administration or anything like that." Linux users may have more success finding help on the Internet, where Linux news groups are very active.
Ongoing development has been split into two tracks: Linux 1.0 and Linux 1.1.The idea is that 1.0 is going to be very stable and 1.1 is supposed to be the hacker's kernel," said Ewing. "If you're going to be doing lots of work and you really want a stable platform, you would want to use one of the 1.0 kernels. The cutting edge would be 1.1."
No one is quite sure how much Linux is in use. Phil Hughes, publisher of the Linux Journal estimated that between 100,000 and 500,000 copies of the OS have been downloaded from the Internet over the past couple of years. He said approximately 30,000 CDs have been pressed with Linux 1.0, though that doesn't mean they've all been sold.
Following are phone numbers for some companies that sell CD-ROMs: InfoMagic, 609-683-XXXX; Red Hat Software, 919-309-XXXX; Trans-Ameritech, 408-727-XXXX; and Yggdrasil, 408-261-XXXX.
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Note: I blocked out the phone numbers at the bottom of the story because they're now obsolete. Indeed, some of the early Linux distributors are mere memories, too.
My favorite line is the response by Marc Ewing when asked how Red Hat planned to support its new Linux distribution: "People can call me up, I suppose." Red Hat's support policy is clearer than that now, with 30 days of telephone help included in the basic edition of Red Hat Enterprise Linux for PCs. And the price for the basic OS has gone up to $179.
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