Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Servers

    Why a SCO Win Could Be Good for Unix

    By
    Pete Tyler
    -
    August 21, 2003
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      There has been much hand-wringing over the legal threat posed by The SCO Group Inc.s actions against IBM Corp. and other vendors of Linux over the past few weeks. Not only are vendors looking for ways to address the accusations, but nervous systems administrators have to hope less-educated managers wont be spooked by the brush with which Linux has been painted.

      Even with all the ominous portents looming, theres a bright spot in the cloud of SCO legal posturing. For a moment, lets assume that SCO were to win against IBM, and thus, against the other flavors of Linux, even if only by precedent or by a smattering of like evidence. Whats an enterprising Linux vendor to do?

      For the bulk of the commercial open-source vendors, a move to another Unix-like code base would be a natural alternative to continuing against a Linux weakened by SCOs grandstanding. Many Unix enthusiasts are already there: operating on some sort of BSD base.

      Why turn to a BSD base as the basis for a commercial open Unix? BSD has been around, its been proven, its stable and has a broad groundswell of development. BSD-based Unix systems have been around for multiple decades now. Theres sufficient documentation, standardization and educational resources to promote their development. BSD systems have been implemented on such a wide range of hardware platforms and operating environments that their value is accepted almost without question.

      BSD-based Unix systems reputation for stability is nearly unmatched in the world of computer operating systems. There are vast numbers of developers and programmers whove written software for BSD, thus making software development for BSD at the current levels of Linux readily possible.

      This isnt to say that investments in Linux development have been wasted either. BSD Unix variants have a Linux-compatible layer available, thus allowing existing Linux software to operate with little or no modification. Much of the more common desktop software running on Linux is based more heavily on the X Window System and/or standard window managers (such as Gnome and KDE) than on Linux APIs, so porting existing Linux applications to a BSD base should be painless. More importantly, use of similar APIs and programming languages should allow existing Linux-savvy programmers to transition over to a BSD-based system with relative ease (Linux vendors personnel managers may breathe a sigh of relief now.)

      So, if by some stroke of lightning SCO should win its barely there case against IBM (and by association, other Linux vendors), dont despair. Just start sampling OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OS X and their ilk—and be prepared to educate your CEO as to the future after “that Linux stuff.”

      Pete Tyler is a desktop support/networking specialist whos worn a variety of hats in IT for the past 15 years. These roles have included documentation, programming, team leadership, user advocacy, and help-desk support.

      Pete Tyler
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Applications

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Applications

      Kyndryl’s Nicolas Sekkaki on Handling AI and...

      James Maguire - November 9, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nicolas Sekkaki, Group Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI at Kyndryl, about how companies can boost both their AI and...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×