Torvalds calls flexibility the ‘biggest strength’ of Linux
I made this same point over the weekend in a post or three. But when it comes from Linus Torvalds, it means more.
When asked in an ITNews.com Q&A how Linux compares with Windows, Torvalds didn’t go into a marketing discussion of Feature Y over Feature X. Instead, he discussed the strength of Linux’s process/approach over Windows’ “We are Microsoft–trust us to be your god” approach:
I think the real strength of Linux is not in any particular area, but in the flexibility. For example, you mention virtualization, and in some ways that’s a really excellent example, because it’s not only an example of something where Linux is a fairly strong player, but more tellingly, it’s an example where there are actually many different approaches, and there is no one-size-fits-all “One True Virtualization” model….
…I mention that as a strong point of open source! Why? Because it actually is a great example of what open source results in: one person’s (or company’s) particular interests don’t end up being dominant. The fact that I personally think that virtualization isn’t all that exciting means next to nothing.
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