2. Linux is mostly driven by its developer and user communities. Some are funded and distributed on a volunteer basis. – Debian – Linux User Groups (LUGs) – Internet Communities – Online Forums Some are maintained by community versions of commercial distributions. – Red Hat – Novell

3. Linux User Groups (LUGs) What do they do? Local Associations that promote Linux and provide free demonstrations, training, technical support, and operating system installation instructions (mostly catered to new Linux users)

4. Where are LUGs located? Face-to-Face meetings with local groups Internet forums and communities, that don’t physically meet

5. VTLUG Virginia Tech Linux User Group www.vtlug.org LyLUG Lynchburg Linux User Group www.lylug.com

6. Several large corporations have developed business models that involve selling, supporting, and contributing: Dell Hewlett Packard Sun Microsystems Novell

7. Supporter: Hewlet Packard Linux is part of their main stream business. Developers have been involved in kernal development processes and contributed their expertise to the performance of the kernal releases.

8. Internet Communities Linux Information Project www.linfo.org Linux Questions www.linuxquestions.com Linux Journal www.linuxjournal.com www.LWN.net

9. Distribution Vendors Offer a specialized business version of Linux with their applications, including support packages and tools for administration

10. Linux Distribution Vendors Red Hat Founded in 1995 Provides OS platforms along with applications, management solutions, support, training, and consulting services www.redhat.com

11. Linux Distribution Vendors Novell Founded in 1992 SUSE Linux Originally a UNIX consulting group Regularly releases software packages www.novell.com/linux

12. Opposers to Linux The SCO Group Claimed in 2007 that Novell performed Copyright infringement, but Judge ruled Novell owns copyrights Microsoft (Steve Ballmer, CEO) Pursuing alleged intellectual property claims against Linux and open source in general.