E-Commerce News: Distros: Ubuntu Sponsor Canonical Falls In With Linux Foundation Crowd

Ubuntu Sponsor Canonical Falls In With Linux Foundation Crowd

By Jack M. Germain
LinuxInsider
Part of the ECT News Network
08/19/08 11:44 AM PT

Ubuntu's commercial backer Canonical has thrown its lot in with the Linux Foundation and is now an official member of the organization. The company has participated in Linux Foundation activities in the past but has only now become directly associated with the organization.

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Canonical, the commercial sponsor of the Ubuntu Linux distribution, is now a member of the Linux Foundation (LF). The foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting the accelerated growth of Linux, announced Canonical's membership on Tuesday.

Ubuntu community members have been active participants in a variety of workgroups at LF, including the Linux Standard Base, Desktop Architects and Driver Backporting groups. In addition, Canonical supports a range of other open source projects including Bazaar, Storm and Upstart.

"Ubuntu has a huge user base and substantial community support around the world. We think the passion these users have for Linux and the open source movement generally will be important in helping the Linux Foundation to accelerate the uptake of Linux in organizations of all size," Andrew Rodaway, director of marketing for Canonical, told LinuxInsider.

All in the Timing

With Canonical's support, user interests for both commercial and community versions of Ubuntu will be represented, according to LF officials.

The Linux Foundation is an increasingly influential organization in the enterprise market, and Canonical is increasing its own footprint in the same space, Rodaway noted.

"So it seemed logical for us to join the other major vendors supporting the Linux Foundation at this time," he said.

Sideline Participant

Despite Ubuntu's popularity as a Linux distribution, Canonical has not been directly associated with the Linux Foundation until now.

"Even though [Canonical and Ubuntu have] been participating in our activities for the last few years, the direct association with them means we'll have closer coordination across their organization. It also means they see enough value in what we do to financially support it," Amanda McPherson, LF's vice president of marketing and developer programs, told LinuxInsider.

"We have great respect for all the other distros and the people that create and use them," Rodaway added. "That's a fundamental part of the Ubuntu philosophy. The many different types of distros are one of the greatest strengths of Linux over proprietary solutions, where you basically have to take what you are given."

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