2012: Great year for Linux

To summarize, 2012 was a great year for Linux Operating System. The Linux Foundation has released a video to announce the increasing popularity and achievements of the Linux Operating System.

Among all the achievements obtained by Linux Operating System, from my perspective, these are, from more to less important, the ones to highlight [1]:

• Red Hat achieved $1 billion in revenue, the first time an open source vendor reached that milestone. It is a key data to demonstrate that, a company whose core business is based on FLOSS, can be profitable.
•  Android has increased its position to control more than 50 percent of the American mobile market. Moreover this, it is considered that world globally, Android has reached 75% of global market share, reaching 136 million units shipped in 2012 Q3.
• The availability of the Steam distribution platform for Linux. This fact can be a key factor for Linux to start being used in Desktop computers, the only Operating System Market where Linux is pending to place a decisive position.
• The automotive industry’s adoption of Linux-based solutions.
• HP became a Platinum Member of the Linux Foundation. Apart from the important economic impulse that this means for the Linux Foundation, the key factor is the importance of having another huge company interested on Linux Operating System.

Apart from previous facts, there has been other occurrences that must be distinguished, as they are less important in terms of economic aspects, but are important as well to clarify Linux Operating System good health in 2012:

• Linux founder, Linus Torvalds, has received the Millenium Technology Prize.
• Dell‘s Sputnik Ubuntu-based laptop.
• The advent of Chromebooks, which is a clarifying movement from Google to bet on Linux Operating System for the Desktop market.

To summarize, it seems that Linux Operating System is in one of its best moments, and project sustainability is ensured. Apart from preserving its market position in other environments, year 2012 has supposed big advances in other markets, such as Mobile Operating Systems. On the other hand, year 2013 will clarify if Linux ends to play a key role in Desktop Computers market, depending on success of Chromebooks and together with Steam as gaming platform.



References:
[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unfx2qCj6Ao
[2] http://www.thevarguy.com/2012/12/14/measuring-linuxs-success-in-2012/
[3] http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/blogs/browse/2012/12/what-year-linux-please-join-us-celebration
[4] http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/02/idc-android-market-share-reached-75-worldwide-in-q3-2012/
[5] http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/19/coming-to-a-car-near-you-linux-goes-automotive-signs-up-harman-intel-toyota-samsungs-tizen-and-more/
[6] http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/05/hp-linux-platinum-member/

Linux Foundation Income Quick Numbers

The Linux Foundation is expected to continue to grow in year 2013.
New members that will start donating money to Linux Foundation include companies such as:
- FreeScale
- Amarula Solutions
- SIM Technology Group
- Superb Internet Corporation
- Symphony Teleca Corporation

 
It must be highlighted that, to become member, a company must pay at least between 5,000$ and 20,000$ a year, for a Silver membership.
Moreover this, Gold Membership costs 100,000$ a year, and Platinum Membership costs up to 500,000$ a year.
Taking into account that, by 2012, exist:
- 8 Platinum Members
- 16 Gold Members
- 139 Silver Members
With a quick calculations we have that, by 2012, Linux Foundation incomes, just with the Membership donations, were:
From:
8*500,000 + 16*100,000 + 139*5,000 = 6,295,000 $
To:
8*500,000 + 16*100,000 + 139*20,000 =8,380,000 $
However, Linux Foundation have also a big amount of individual members, that, together with previous number, surely make Linux Foundation incomes to be above 10,000,000 dollars.
So, it is obvious that, FLOSS is not a matter of altruism. Companies as well as individuals are predisposed to invest money on certain projects to continue growing.

References:
http://www.linuxfoundation.org/about/members

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/announcements/2012/12/new-members-join-linux-foundation-prioritize-linux-investments-2013