linux // general

• 2020 FLOSS Roadmap - This is a prospective roadmap, and a projection of the influences that will affect FLOSS between now and 2020, with descriptions of all FLOSS-related trends as anticipated by contributors over this timeframe. It also highlights all sectors that will, potentially, be impacted by FLOSS.
• A Guide to Earning an Income From a Free and Open Source Project - John Andrews, creator of the Damn Small Linux distribution, offers advice on earning a living from FOSS projects. (2006)
• A High School Student's Views on Software Freedom - Five Things Free Software Has Taught Me - An excellent essay on software freedom and why it matters. (2009)
• A Legal Issues Primer for Open Source and Free Software Projects - Software Freedom Law Center - This concise publication is a "must read" for those starting or managing free and open source software projects. (2008)
• All about Linux: The Complete Concise History of GNU/Linux - A history of Linux, complete with pictures and notable quotes of some well-known Linux personalities.
• Banks 'n' Browsers - Compatibility of bank websites with Linux web browsers organized by country; information on 302 banks in 32 countries. Last updated 2008-11-07.
• BinaryFreedom | Free as in Freedom and We Really Mean It! - An advocacy site for freedom and fairness in the digital world.
• Builder AU Article - "How To Make Money From Open Source" - A detailed, easy-to-follow guide for potential open source entrepreneurs written by Con Zymaris, Australian Linux advocate and businessman. (2005) The information in this guide is relevant today (2009).
• Cave or Community? - Analysis of 100 mature open source projects at SourceForge. This paper was originally published in 2002, but the findings are still interesting today (2009).
• Consortium Standards Journal Article - "Openness" and the Pursuit of Knowledge - Andy Updegrove writes about how the Internet is changing the way knowledge is acquired and shared; how it is providing incentives to adjust traditional ideas regarding the proper balance between the intellectual property rights (IPR) of individual owners and those of collaborative communities and end users; and reviews some of the new legal tools and organizational structures that have been created in order to fully realize this revolution in knowledge sharing. (2008)
• Copyright Watch | Global Transparency in Copyright Law - Copyright Watch collects and monitors copyright laws from all over the world. This global effort tracks new proposals, consultations, and freshly passed regulations: finding the promising changes, and highlighting the spectacularly bad ideas before they can take hold.
• Creative Commons - This non-profit organization's focus is to increase the amount of creativity (cultural, educational, and scientific content) in "the commons" -- the body of work that is available to the public for free and legal sharing, use, repurposing, and remixing. The tools provided give everyone from individual creators to large companies and institutions a simple, standardized way to grant copyright permissions to their creative work. The Creative Commons licenses enable people to easily change their copyright terms from the default of "all rights reserved" to "some rights reserved".
• Custom Desktop Solutions -- FOSS Advocacy - Custom Desktop Solutions advocates, promotes, and installs Free/Open Source Software computing infrastructure to technically empower the small to medium-sized businesses. This site contains a wealth of information about all aspects of Linux and FOSS.
• Dave Ashley's Linux Zone - A collection of software programs; games, demos, emulators.
• EFF - Electronic Frontier Foundation Report - "Unintended Consequences: Twelve Years under the DMCA" - This document collects a number of reported cases where the anti-circumvention provisions of the DMCA have been invoked not against pirates, but against consumers, scientists, and legitimate competitors. It will be updated from time to time as additional cases come to light. A PDF version is also available. (2010)
• FSF - The Free Software Foundation - A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting computer users' rights to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs; promotes the development and use of free software, particularly the GNU/Linux operating system. Principal organizational sponsor of the GNU project.
• FSF - The Free Software Foundation - India - A non-profit organisation committed to advocating, promoting and propagating the use and development of swatantra software in India.
• FSF Europe - Free Software Foundation Europe - A European advocacy site which actively supports development of free software (as in freedom) and GNU-based operating systems such as GNU/Linux. Site available in all European languanges.
• FSF: Questioning SCO - A Hard Look at Nebulous Claims - Eben Moglen's detailed analysis of SCO's threatened litigation against end users of Linux. (2003) Available in PDF format. This document is also available in French. The SCO saga continues so this background paper is still relevant. (2008)
• Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII) - A European non-profit association dedicated to the development of public information goods based on copyright, free competition, open standards; an advocate for public policy questions concerning exclusion rights (intellectual property) in data processing.
• Freedom Task Force (FTF) - Building Legal Infrastructure for Your Free Software Project - This guide has practical tips on how Free Software projects can consolidate their legal position. It includes information about setting up legal entities, dealing with copyright issues, managing trademarks, and best practices for project management. Also available in Dutch, French, German,and Greek. (2009)
• Freedom to Tinker - Edward W. Felten's website about freedom to understand, discuss, repair, and modify your own technological devices.
• GNU's Not Unix! - the GNU Project and the Free Software Foundation (FSF) - Premier meta site for GNU/Linux and open source software information.
• GROKLAW - Pamela Jones' well-researched website on Linux and open source legal issues; insightful and cut-to-the-chase analysis.
• History of Linux - Translations available: Bulgarian, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, Portuguese, and Romanian.
• Home Page of Con Zymaris--Linux and Open Source Articles - Con Zymaris is a well-known Australian Linux advocate.
• Hot Linux Jobs Recruiting Open Source Professionals - A U.S. company specializing in Linux job opportunities.
• How to Destroy the Book, by Cory Doctorow | theVARSITY.ca - Part 1 - A transcript of Cory Doctorow's speech on copyright at the National Reading Summit held in Toronto on 2009-11-13. A "must read". See the link at the end of speech and before the comments to read the second half of his speech.
• Inc.com Article - "Mitchell Baker and the Firefox Paradox - Mozilla - Open Source" - An article about the Mozilla Foundation and its Chief Lizard Wrangler, Mitchell Baker. (2007)
• International Free and Open Source Software Law Review - A bi-annual, peer reviewed journal that specializes in free and open source software legal issues.
• Irish Free Software Organisation (IFSO) - Homepage - This organization works to promote awareness of FreeSoftware, and to protect the rights of those who use and write it.
• LINUX MARK INSTITUTE - A non-profit organization that controls and grants use of the Linux trademark to commercial entities.
• LWN: Index to the Grumpy Editor Series - An outstanding, ongoing series of review articles on Linux tools and applications by Jonathan Corbet, editor of LWN. Topics include such things as camera interfaces, diagram editors, electronic mail, image management, personal finance managers, pdf viewers, terminal emulators, web browsers; the comments from readers are also worthwhile to look at.
• Linux Answers to Common Problems | TuxRadar Linux - This is the TuxRadar Linux Answers Archive. It is a searchable database of over 700 common Linux problems and their solutions from the last five years of Linux Format magazine (2006-2009).
• Linux Config - A website that promotes Free Software and GNU/Linux. This site has Linux administration and configuration articles, tutorials, and guides plus the latest Linux news.
• Linux Foundation Whitepaper: Estimating the Total Development Cost of a Linux Distribution - This Linux Foundation research study calculated the total development cost of a Linux distribution. The results are interesting. (2008)
• Linux Jobs from Technojobs - Linux and Related Jobs - A listing of Linux and related open source jobs primarily in the UK and Europe.
• Linux Jobs | Kernel Jobs - A Linux job board sponsored by The Linux Foundation.
• Linux Librarian - A Linux and open source advocacy site. This site also contains book and software reviews, some items on libraries (as in books), and hardware.
• Linux Services Organization - A non-profit organization formed by professional and non-professional Linux lovers to introduce Linux in the enterprise world. The site has online training tutorials, documentation, articles, information on Linux server configuration and security, and links to further information.
• Linux Timeline - 100 important events in Linux history in honour of Linux Journal's 100th issue; from August 1991 to February 2002.
• Linux Weather Forecast - The Linux Foundation - This site tracks ongoing developments in the Linux development community that have a good chance of appearing in a mainline kernel and/or major distros in the near future. The "chief meteorologist" is Jonathan Corbet, Executive Editor at LWN.net.
• Linux.com Article - "What To Do If You're Involved In Code-Dispute Litigation" - Article provides handy advice and guidelines for dealing with legal disputes involving software code. (2004) N.B.: The advice given in this article is still useful today (2009), but some of the links do not work.
• Linux.org.uk - Linux on the Worldwide Web - A Linux site maintained by Alan Cox; various Linux newsfeeds available; Linux Kernel 2.2.11 to 2.2.19 Release Notes; plus other Linux-related news.
• Linux: The 0.01 Release | KernelTrap - A trip down memory lane. The first release of Linux. Includes the initial release notes, announcements, and Linus' early email exchanges.
• Linux: The 0.02 and 0.03 Releases | KernelTrap - A historic look back at some early Linux releases. Linus' early emails are a fun read.
• Linux: The 0.10 Release | KernelTrap - Another trip down the Linux kernel memory lane. More emails from Linus, the early Linux kernel mailing list, the first Linux FAQ, and the first FTP mirror for the Linux kernel at the Manchester Computing Centre (MCC) at the University of Manchester in the UK are featured.
• LinuxMovies - An association of over 300 technologists advancing Linux motion picture technology.
• LinuxVAR - What is Linux, What It Can Do, and How You Can Get It - A wide variety of Linux information is available on this site as well as a LinuxVar (Value-Added Retailer) directory for the UK.
• Mojolin.com - Linux and Open Source Jobs - A worldwide computer job site exclusively for Linux and open source positions.
• OSNews.com Article -"Why Free Software Matters" - A thoughtful article about why you should care about the politics and freedoms (or lack thereof) associated with proprietary and open source software. Good examples of how proprietary software restricts your freedom. (2004) This article still rings true today (2008).
• Oldlinux.org -- Linux plinux - Early Linux Kernel Analisys and Comments - Interesting history site for Linux.
• Open Access News - This is the primary record of the open access movement whose objective is to have peer-reviewed scientific and scholarly literature on the Internet without financial, copyright, and licensing barriers that currently exist in scholarly publishing.
• Open Invention Network (OIN) - The Open Invention Network (OIN) is a company that acquires patents and licenses them royalty free to entities which, in turn, agree not to assert their own patents against Linux and Linux-related systems and applications. This type of initiative is necessary until software patents are no longer allowed.
• Open Source Applications Foundation - Homepage - Purpose is to create and gain wide adoption for software applications ofuncompromising quality using open source methods.
• Open Source Software / Free Software (OSS/FS) References - Reference site to important links about open source and free software
• OpenSource.Com | Where Open Source Multiplies - A new (2010) Red Hat community service website. It is a gathering place for the open source community to share stories and knowledge --through articles, audio, web presentations, video, or open discussion. The site is divided into "channels" devoted to various areas of interest: business, education, government, law, and life.
• Planet Linux Australia - Links to blogs of prominent Australian Linux and open source developers using RSS aggregate software.
• Qualipso | Trust and Quality in Open Source Systems - A unique alliance of European, Brazilian and Chinese ICT (information and Communication Technology) industry players, SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), governments, and academics to help industries and governments to become innovative and competitive with Open Source software.
• Science Commons - The purpose of this organization is to encourage scientific innovation by promoting legal and technical mechanisms that remove barriers to accessing and sharing scientific information.
• Software Freedom Conservancy - This organization provides a variety of services to Free and Open Source (FOSS) projects including free financial and administrative services. In addition, member projects get all the benefits and protections of being a corporate entity under the aegis of the Software Freedom Conservancy.
• Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) - This organization provides legal representation and other law related services to protect and advance Free and Open Source Software. SFLC offers direct services to non-profit FOSS developers without charge, as well as resources for everyone.
• Software in the Public Interest, Inc. - A non-profit organization that supports, encourages and promotes the creation and development of open software available to the general public; has mailing lists and archives.
• Texts & Transcripts on Software Freedom - A collection of texts & transcripts on software freedom, software patents, copyright, and The GNU GPL. Maintained by Ciaran O'Riordan, Linux and software freedom advocate. N.B.: The latest transcripts are from 2007.
• The 0.11 Release | KernelTrap - Those were the days! A look back at Linus' emails when he released the 0.11 version of the Linux kernel.
• The GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF) - History of the GNU Project by Richard Stallman.
• The Jargon of Freedom: 60 Words and Phrases with Context - This guide clearly explains the jargon used in the various cultures and ideas in the software freedom community. (2010)
• The LWN.net Linux and Free Software Timeline - Linux and Free Software year in review for 2009. For previous years' timelines click on the link labelled "timeline index" (http://lwn.net/op/TimelineIdx.lwn). There you will find the yearly timelines from 1998 to 2008, plus the 1998-2002 5-year timeline and the ten-year anniversary retrospective series from pre-LWN 1997 to April 2005.
• The Linux Counter - A site to register yourself and your computer as a Linux user. Statistical results can be viewed here.
• The Linux FAQ - A comprehensive FAQ which includes answers to the most common questions asked about Linux.
• The Linux Foundation - A non-profit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007 by the merger of the Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group, it sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading Linux and open source companies and developers from around the world. Site is also available in Japanese.
• The Linux Home Page at Linux Online - A Linux resource site, which includes general information, applications, distributions, documentation, downloads, hardware, vendors, interviews with key Linux people, courses, mailing lists, and much more.
• The Linux Pimp :: Individualists Unite! - Linux oriented technology and general interest discussion site.
• The Open Source Way - Online Book - The purpose of this guide is to help people understand how to and how not to engage with the open source community over projects such as software, content, marketing, art, infrastructure, and standards. It contains knowledge distilled from years of Red Hat experience. (2009)
• User Friendly the Comic Strip - Columbia Internet, the friendliest, hardest-working and most neurotic little Internet Service Provider in the world. Throw in a mischievous Artificial Intelligence and a naive but curious Dust Puppy, and you have the makings of USER FRIENDLY, the chronicle of a group of well-meaning but misguided Internet Workers.
• Welcome to LinuxFund.org - An organization that provides monetary support for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) projects that have a substantial user base and have had a positive impact on the open source community.
• Welcome to TUX - An umbrella organization supporting the efforts of user groups and developers.
• Why Open Source Software / Free Software (OSS/FS)? Look at the Numbers! - Comprehensive article on the economics of Linux. Contains numerous links. Czech, French, Japanese and Spanish translations available. (2007)
• Yet Another Linux Blog - Open Source, Open Blog - A chronicle of a long-time Linux user (since 1995) about his desktop Linux learning experience. Includes advice, tips, and tricks for the beginner, reviews, distribution information, and editorials about the various injustices in the open source world. Organized into broad subject categories.