From the Editor Linux 2000 I see Linux as a progressive movement as well as an operating system. And, with any movement you need to chart your direction. In fact, we have seen that in some parts of the world people are more likely to have a Linux system than be connected to the electric power grid. Now we see Linux and an Internet connection in over 100 million homes worldwide.
Cost is the best answer.
Back in the 1980s it was being marketed as an operating system and it managed to establish a user base close to that of Linux today. Although a more visionary company might have made a better decision we can only say that hindsight is 20-20. As we all know now it is the added value training, customization and, of course, the user-specific applications that make the money. Giving away operating systems helps to sell these services along with hardware. I remember that back in 1986 I gave a talk at a personal computer user's group meeting in Seattle.