Jon Maddog Hall on Linux, saving money and ruling the world

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Jon Maddog Hall has been a software engineer, systems administrator, product manager, marketing manager and professional educator. Hall has been the executive director of Linux International since 1995, the first four years as a volunteer. He has been employed by VA Linux systems, Compaq Computer in the Digital Unix marketing group and Bell Laboratories among other companies.
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When did you start using Linux or open source?

I was using Free Open Source Software (FOSS) in 1969, but we did not call it that at the time. We called it "software".[...] Finally, in 1994, I was introduced to Linus Torvalds, and my life was changed forever. I came back from that meeting and told my fellow workers "Linux is inevitable". I even put that message in a slide presentation, in 1994.
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Where do you see Linux heading in the next five to 10 years?

World domination. [...]But it is not just "Linux", or even "GNU/Linux", it is free software in general. It is the expansion of free software out to free business practices and a realization that in lots of ways we need to cooperate with each other, even our "competitors", more.
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How will Linux and FOSS give Microsoft a run for its money?

We already are. Microsoft is stuck because their entire business model is based on products. Their services are delivered through VARs and Resellers. VARs and Resellers will realize that they can deliver more functionality to their customers, but save the royalties that they would send to Microsoft, putting those profits in their pockets instead.

Customers will realize that return on investment (ROI) overrules total cost of ownership (TCO), and they will tell Microsoft that they, as customers, will not buy any more software from Microsoft unless it is "free". Then Free and Open Source Software will blossom overnight.

Jon Maddog Hall on Linux, saving money and ruling the world