Linux is an ecosystem. Its organic and global and moving so fast most folks are not aware of the full spectrum potential it brings to the global computing community today. I have been totally immersed in the Linux ecosystem since 1998 -- and in that time Linux has grown from a facinating disruptive technology into a global ecosystem. And during the entire time, business awareness and depth of knowledge about Linux has always been lagging the reality of the technology. The gap may even be increasing with time. This is not an issue with the large enterprise vendors. They all have fully capable linux engineering staffs. My comments speak of new members coming into the Linux ecosystem.

The Linux kernel is at the heart of it all. The online Linux kernel development community has evolved into a well oiled machine. The pace of development in the kernel subsystem development communities is impressive to see. And in understanding the state of health and vitality of this kernel development community -- we can appreciate the reality that Linux has ushered in a new era in business computing that is the foundation for computing now and into the future. And so groups who are new to the Linux ecosystem often have this gap in technical acuity concerning the potential for leveraging Linux to support innovation and IP development. The result often leads to missed opportunities for businesses, especially in startups.

I'm not sure how much of a big deal this observation is in the aggregate, but for specific instances of early stage startups -- optimal, effective leveraging of emerging kernel capabilities can be invaluable to such corporations. I cannot overstate this reality. Literally speaking -- the bleeding edge of computing innovations are emerging in the Linux kernel community in real time.

This ecosystem supports a healthy IP development model for emerging technologies and software stacks. It also clearly identifies what has been commoditized at a point in time. And it documents and provides the infrastructure support for emerging technologies to all those who chose to become aware. And from there it may be easy to see the path to innovation.