Linux is a meta project, which was born around 1991. Although it condensed
around one, Linux is not an operating system kernel. It is a movement with
an open spirit - open even to proprietary systems, for the sake of
competition.

Unlike the BSD variants or the GNU project, which existed even before
Linux, the Linux movement is not about one specific distribution, license
model or operating system (FreeBSD, The Hurd, etc). The approach of Linux
is broader, it is <it>open</it>. With its open approach, Linux created a
vital and large environment of users, developers and companies over the
last twelve years. From the first moment on, this enviroment sucessfully
supported and still supports the development of other projects like BSD,
the GNU project - and even commercial Unices.

In return, Linux benefits from its contributions to others. For example, by
using the improved and extended GNU tools collection, which received a
substantial amount of contributions and many new additions from Linux.

The enviroment created by Linux has also led to many new major projects
like XFree86, KDE, GNOME, Freshmeat, Sourceforge, LinuxTag and
LinuxExpo. These are all very different in nature; not necessarily
technical. One could speak of Linux as a Human Interface Device (HID)
controler for Unix kernels.

It is important to understand that being a meta project, Linux must have
conceptually higher goals than just developing or enforcing the best
licensing model or the best technical strategy. It is also important not to
stick to a particular closed definition of freedom and to welcome even
proprietary software for any operating system. All claims that this would
be bad have been proven wrong - by the success of Linux. Which surely has
convinced more companies and individuals to consider free and open software
for their purpose than anything else before. 

Luckily the naming patron Linus Thorvalds acted accordingly when it comes
to the Linux kernel. Linus uses a modern understanding of politics, where
the decision-making is oriented at the practical benefit of users. This
upsets people with old-style understandings of politics, where the decision
making is based on social identification and beliefs, both traditionally
following closed principles.