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Linux Inc.
Linus Torvalds once led a ragtag band of software geeks. Not anymore.
Here's an inside look at how the unusual Linux business model
increasingly threatens Microsoft

Five years ago, Linus Torvalds faced a mutiny. The reclusive Finn had
taken the lead in creating the Linux computer operating system, with
help from thousands of volunteer programmers, and the open-source
software had become wildly popular for running Web sites during the dot-
com boom. But just as Linux was taking off, some programmers rebelled.
Torvalds' insistence on manually reviewing everything that went into the
software was creating a logjam, they warned. Unless he changed his ways,
they might concoct a rival software package -- a threat that could have
crippled Linux. "Everybody knew things were falling apart," recalls
Larry McVoy, a programmer who played peacemaker. "Something had to be
done."

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_05/b3918001_mz001.htm?
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