In 1991, Linus Torvalds posted his first usenet message announcing that he was going to release some source code for a unix-like kernel for other people to work with. Over the course of the next 9 years, Linux has gathered the support of 1000s of kernel, application and documentation developers. That mass of people supporting Linux grows even today.

Sometime in late 1992, Michael McLagan became involved with Linux as a user. Getting involved in online discussions with other enthusiasts and developers, it became clear that Linux was a technology with some real potential. Knowing that the lack of a central organization to support Linux would be one of its drawbacks, he registered the linux.org domain in May 1994.

With the help of many Linux enthusiasts a web site was put online where people could come and find out what Linux was. Managed initially by Liem Bahneman, the site has always been based on the contributions of its visitors. To this day we count on our visitors to let us know when links need updating, what is new in the community and how we can better promote Linux to interested people.

Since the web site re-launch in August of 1997, Linux has caught the attention of business - big business in fact. As the Fortune 100 companies come into the picture, Linux Online has tried to maintain its roots. Over the objection of a segment of the Linux community, the site took on banner advertising as a means to meet the growing demands of visitors. Operated as a not-for-profit organization the site is the currently the work of a half-dozen people with content contributed by 1000s of visitors.

Linux Online, as a business, has three areas that are the focus of the efforts and future growth. Currently we only have the resources to work on the first of these, however. The revenue generated from ads and books is currently taken up by the T1 and a salary for the full time workers. A recent surge in advertising has allowed us to work on promotion of the site with some mugs and to bring on an assistant developer.

We hope that as Linux grows and more companies get involved with the site we can expand our efforts into the other 2 areas. If you feel that we're heading in the right direction, you can join in with some support.

• Linux Web Site

  Working with developers, vendors and the Linux community we continue to provide a comprehensive resource for potential and current users of the Linux Operating System. As the Linux site most referred to in print and on the Net, we recognize our special position as the flagship site.

  We are focusing our efforts on reaching out to the community we serve as well as increasing awareness of the materials we have with the press and the individual users. In order to facilitate this we will be taking on more web developers. This will allow even better content management and many new web site features.

• Linux Advertising

  Even 5 years later, Linux lacks a central marketing agent. The competition has the benefit of a single leader with a vision and a legion of marketing professionals to help bring about that vision. Linux has Linus Torvalds as its development leader. We are beginning to look for an ad agency as well as some Linux vendors with the resources to prepare and deliver a comprehensive ad campaign.

  If you have an idea of how a large campaign promoting Linux should be orchestrated, we welcome your ideas. We would also appreciate any information you might have regarding companies willing to participate in a joint, non vendor specific, print, radio and television campaign. The goal of such a campaign would be to increase awareness of Linux as well as the benefits of implementing Linux solutions in the corporate environment.

• Linux Seminars

  Gathering together prominent Linux speakers with Linux ISVs, local consultants, and a collection of promotional materials, we would like to create a traveling Linux show. Rather than having isolated events in specific cities such as the various Linux trade shows, our efforts would be directed to 1 or 2 day seminars in cities around the world.

  With preliminary advertising campaigns in local print, radio and television, these seminars would be directed to IT employees and managers. Geared to introducing these influential people to Linux and the many benefits it has, they would also provide an avenue for the ISVs to get to know the kinds of people who will use Linux and to what products they feel are important to considering a switch from their current environment.

There are definitely other ways that Linux could be promoted. These are the areas where we feel we can be most effective. If you have some ideas about something we could help with, take a moment and pass them along. We're always interested in the ways of getting the word out!