just started using Linux and i must say i like what i see now my question is?

Question

do these people who develop it get paid in one way or another it looks like its a lot of work to be distributed for free

Answer 1

Yes and No.



Some companies hire people full time to develop patches and updates to Linux. The source code of those updates are then released for anyone to look at.



Other people develop software/patches/updates and release the source code for anyone to look at.



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So in general Linux is made by company paid employees, developers that make their money off of donations and people who don't get paid but just want to help.



Not all of the work done on Linux is given out for free (as in free beer). RedHat and Novell sell their work, but because of licensing (GPL) they are required to release the source code. Which people (who know how) can freely use. These companies then benefit by having the same freedom of taking other peoples handy work (source code) released under GPL license and putting it in their product to sell. So it's a "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" type of deal for them.

Answer 2

A vast community of developers contribute their time and effort so that they can have an operating system that they like.



Yes, some companies do make some money by adding some extra value to LINUX (usually user interface and so on), but other people don't.



It might seem crazy, but it has worked effectively on a number of projects.



All in all it is not a lot of work, when large numbers of people come together to make it happen.



At the same time, unlike a business, there is less heirachy of control, so no dumbass manager telling people to do things the wrong way, just experts and enthusiasts debating ideas online.

Answer 3

They release software under GPL (General Public License) and Open Source. They usually offer paid support, but receiving answers for free is much easier and less expensive. :) I been using Ubuntu for a few years now, and they have both free help and paid. The paid is answers from the staff and free help is from the millions of users world wide. Glad you're liking Linux!

Answer 4

Actually Free and Opensource software has different business model than typical closed source software model. Canonical, RedHat are 2 giant company in Linux field, but still they earn money. Infact RedHat is a multi billionaire company!



In this regard I would suggest you the following film to learn more about business model of FOSS.

REVOLUTION OS

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308808/

Answer 5

Some distros. such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint do recieve Sponsorship and Donations

https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/Ubuntu-sponsors

http://www.ubuntu.com/community/get-involved/donate

http://www.linuxmint.com/sponsors.php

http://www.linuxmint.com/donors.php



But overall a distro. is developed around the world by hundreds perhaps thousands of developers and for the most it is entirely on a volutary basis





LUg.

Answer 6

Nope, I think some of them may get donations, but that won't be much. They do it all for the love of doing it. Amazing huh?

Answer 7

nope is free work --for most of them --- it is like ms-dos ( linux )