Within two years, the Linux ecosystem is projected to reach $50 billion, spanning the enterprise computing, desktop/netbooks and embedded markets. The Linux Foundation is the nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007, the Linux Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading Linux and open source companies and developers from around the world.
The Linux Foundation promotes, protects and standardizes Linux by providing unified resources and services needed for open source to successfully compete with closed platforms.
Promoting Linux and Providing Neutral Collaboration and Education
The Linux Foundation serves as a neutral spokesperson for Linux and generates original content that advances the understanding of the Linux platform. Its web properties, including Linux.com, reach approximately two million people per month. It also fosters innovation by hosting collaboration events -- including LinuxCon -- among the Linux technical community, application developers, industry and end users to solve pressing issues facing the Linux ecosystem. Through the Linux Foundation's community programs, end users, developers and industry collaborate on technical, legal and promotional issues.
Protecting and Supporting Linux Development
It's vitally important that Linux creator Linus Torvalds and other key kernel developers remain independent. The Linux Foundation sponsors them so they can work full time on improving Linux. The Linux Foundation also manages the Linux trademark, offers developers legal intellectual property protection and a legal defense fund and coordinates industry and community legal collaboration and education.
Improving Linux as a Technical Platform
The Linux Foundation offers application developers standardization services and support that makes Linux an attractive target for their development efforts. These include: the Linux Standard Base (LSB) and the Linux Developer Network. The Linux Foundation also provides services to the Linux development community, including an open source developer travel fund, legal support and other administrative assistance. Through its workgroups, members and developers can collaborate on key technical areas which can include everything from Cloud Computing to Printing in Linux. Finally, users can access Linux training through its technical training program.