From: Mustafa Akgul (akgul@Bilkent.EDU.TR)
Date: Tue 09 Aug 2005 - 10:21:35 EEST
Diffusion pattern of Linux: An assessment on major technology dimensions
by Nir Kshetri
http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue10_8/kshetri/
Abstract:
This paper attempts to gain an understanding of the diffusion dynamics
of
Linux by assessing it on Rogers' technology dimensions — relative
advantage, compatibility, complexity, observability, and trialability.
The
analysis makes clear that Linux possesses greater relative advantage
than
its proprietary competitors because of its low cost, lower
susceptibility
to bugs and crashes, resilience to obsolescence, ability to run on older
machines and higher perceived security. Linux is facing compatibility
problems with applications, hardware and other corporate resources;
suppliers' and customers' technologies; and, skills of current and
potential employees. Extreme configurability and user unfriendly
interface; limited support and staff knowledge; and, potential hazard of
forking into competing versions have been some major sources of Linux's
complexity. Linux seems to have a reasonably good performance on
observability and trialability dimensions. The paper concludes by
offering
some suggestions on how to accelerate the diffusion of Linux among
software developers, national governments and international agencies.
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