Linux: Why Super Bowl?
By Shalini Singh

The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007, the Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading Linux and open source companies and developers from around the world. Apart from being technically clever, it has contributed much to the democratization and openness of the internet.

While Linus Torvalds hails from Finland, the Linux community has a very strong representation in Europe and Asia.  But it seems that America is still the centre of the Linux world.

In 2009, I had written about how the Linux Foundation had announced a video competition with a theme of ‘I am Linux’.  In keeping with the collaborative nature of all things Linux, it was also known as ‘We’re Linux’ contest. We’re Linux was in keeping with the universal collaborative nature of such software. In 2009, this video contest was won by an Israeli Linux expert.

While the launch of commercial products and services is still US centric, it seems that the Linux Foundation sometimes has an American perspective on at least some matters.  Check out Linux Foundations latest ‘We’re Linux’ launched on Feb 5, 2010. 

The Linux Foundation while launching this video contest on Feb 5, 2010 said it was ‘calling all community members and amateur filmmakers to share with the public what a 30-60 second Linux-focused spot for the Super Bowl might look like. This theme is not a requirement for entry; however, videos that can demonstrate the benefits of Linux to the general public are likely to receive more community votes. The submissions should aim to inspire people to use Linux, create conversations among the public, and convey the power and ideals of Linux.’

Why Super Bowl?  Even though this sport is hugely popular in USA, it is not followed in Europe or Asia.  Why select such a US centric sport?

Even though Linux is an international movement, not a single Judge of this video contest is from Asia.  Check out the names of the Judges in the press release

“
Andrew Morton, lead Linux kernel maintainer;
Stephen O’Grady, co-founder, Red Monk;
Stormy Peters, executive director, GNOME Foundation;
Brandon Phillips, Linux kernel developer, Novell;
Bob Sutor, VP, Open Source and Linux, IBM Software Group; and
Steven Vaughan-Nichols, journalist, ComputerWorld.
“

Some may accuse me of quibbling about petty issues.  But I have always seen Linux as a global movement drawing equal support from every continent. When I think of Linux, I also think of other global movements like stopping war, ending poverty, saving whales and global warming.  Every country has a stake in it. I definitely don’t think American sport. Or Indian cricket.  Or British soccer.

(Techgoss had published the following on April 15, 2009)

Linux video winners
By Shalini Singh

The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007, the Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading Linux and open source companies and developers from around the world.

Late last year, the Linux Foundation had announced a video competition with a theme of ‘I am Linux’.  In keeping with the collaborative nature of all things Linux, it was also known as ‘We’re Linux’ contest.

Last week, the winners of the video competition were announced. Israeli graphic designer Amitay Tweeto won a trip to Tokyo, Japan for his video “What Does It Mean To Be Free?”.  The Japanese trip is to attend the Linux Foundation’s Japanese Linux Symposium in October 2009.

The winning video is very classy and is recommended viewing.

In addition to the grand-prize winner, two runners-up are being recognized. The winning videos can be viewed on the Linux Foundation video site:

* Grand-prize winner: “What Does It Mean To Be Free?”

* Runner-up: “The Origin”

* Runner-up: “Linux Pub”

A combination of community votes and a panel of judges determined the winners.  The judges were:

- Matt Asay, CNET blogger and executive at Alfresco, Inc.;
- Larry Augustin, venture capitalist and former chairman of VA Software, and Linux Foundation board member;
- Jono Bacon, Ubuntu community manager;
- Joe Brockmeier, openSUSE community manager;
- Melinda Mettler, director, School of Advertising at the Academy of Art University; and
- Tim O’Reilly, founder and CEO, O’Reilly Media, Inc.

(Techgoss had run the following story on Dec 22, 2008)

I am Linux contest
By Shalini Singh

Linux is one of the most popular operating systems among computing geeks.  Apart from being technically clever, it has contributed much to the democratization and openness of the internet.

The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007, the LF sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading Linux and open source companies and developers from around the world. The Linux Foundation promotes, protects and standardizes Linux by providing unified resources and services needed for open source to successfully compete with closed platforms.  For Linux to remain open and attain the greatest ubiquity possible, important services must be provided, including legal protection, standardization, promotion and collaboration. The Linux Foundation has been founded to help close the gap between open source and proprietary platforms, while sustaining the openness, freedom of choice and technical superiority inherent in open source software.

Now the Linux Foundation has launched an "I'm Linux" Video Contest.  According to the Linux Foundation:  “If you've been alive and aware of mass media over the last twelve months, you've probably seen television commercials from Apple and Microsoft touting their operating system. From Apple's ubiquitous "I'm a Mac" to Jerry Seinfeld to Microsoft's "I'm a PC" retort, operating system commercials have been flooding the airways. Except one OS has been notably absent – Linux. While the Linux Foundation would love to spend millions promoting Linux on TV, it's simply not our style (or in our budget). Even more importantly, Linux isn't a top-down, commercially controlled operating system. It's a grassroots product of mass collaboration. That's why we're sponsoring a community contest to create a Linux video that showcases just what Linux means to those who use it, and hopefully inspires many to try it.”

And what will the best ‘Im Linux’ video win? The winner will receive a free trip to Tokyo, Japan to participate in the Linux Foundation Japan Linux Symposium in October 2009. The winning video will also be unveiled at the Linux Foundation's Collaboration Summit in San Francisco on April 8, 2009.

For Linux enthusiasts,  many of whom see themselves as ‘outsiders’  in a commercial world dominated by Microsoft,   the recognition of peers matters more than any cash prize.