The Linux Foundation member list has begun to look like the “Who’s who” of the tech business world as notable companies such as IBM and Google get involved.  The Red Orbit article “Twitter Builds Reputation With Developers By Joining Linux Foundation” sheds lights on one of the foundation’s newest members, Twitter.  With this move, Twitter, who has long been an Open Source supporter, makes its presence a little more known.  Twitter uses Open Source in its data center and relies on Linux servers to host its massive workloads as well as simplify the handling of data and web content. Twitter paid $15,000 to join the Linux Foundation and is classified as a silver member.  Though it is not necessary to pull out your checkbook there are several notable benefits to providing a donation.

Sponsors of Linux get a bigger say in the kinds of technologies that are included in Linux and also have more pull on specific projects the foundation is working on. It is safe to say that by going silver, Twitter will want to put in its two cents on what they would like to see in Linux.  Being a paying sponsor also has another benefit. It will give Twitter a level of respect with developers.

Chris Aniszczyk, Manager of open source at Twitter will be presenting “The Open Source Technology Behind a Tweet” at the LinuxCon to discuss the exciting future of Twitter and Linux.   Joining the Linux Foundation may be a smart move for some tech groups but another viable choice is the Apache Foundation which not only supports Linux but also Solr.  It is the building block of the successful LucidWorks line of products.  Regardless of the foundation it seems that open source has been voted “Most Popular.”

April Holmes, October 1, 2012

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