What do you think the future looks like for open source operating systems?

I still think Linux is strong on the server - but on the desktop it's weak, and remains so. Do you see Linux desktop adoption by the boatful anywhere? Beyond niche markets it has yet to gain any traction with OEM's and it's a vicious cycle - if users don't want it, OEM's won't ship it. Users won't want it until OEM's ship it.

There are parts of the world where Linux is making inroads on the desktop - but year after year, 'this is the year of the Linux desktop', and it basically hasn't happened. I would love it to - don't get me wrong, but it isn't about how many people use Linux on a desktop, it's about how much money uses Linux on the desktop.

The more purchasing power uses it, the more power Linux has in that domain. It has that on the server. It has made massive gains in the embedded market and it staking over parts of "specific purpose devices and software" by storm.

What does open source mean to you?

If I need the code for what I use, code on/with, it's there for me to poke at and see how it twitches without having to always infer it simply by its behaviour or documentation (which is almost always inadequate for any piece of software from any source, be it open, or closed).

How do you feel about returning to the University of New South Wales to speak at linux.conf.au, having graduated from the same university 10 years ago?

I'm wondering what new buildings they have erected and/or torn down since I last saw it :)

For more information on LCA 2007, go to http://lca2007.linux.org.au/