I apologize for sounding like a typical lame pundit, but 2006 was the Year of Linux. I never said that before—I was waiting until it became true.

For the majority of life events, there are no dramatic turning points that initiate radical changes. Most things are evolutionary, especially Linux and the whole Free/Open Source software world. Coding and running computer systems is just plain old work. A single Eureka! moment for a programmer means weeks or months or more of hard work. I suppose headlines need drama, but the reality for Linux is progress has been rapid and steady, and dramatic in non-dramatic ways: steady increases in uptake, and steady improvements in performance and features.

2006 was no exception, but there were some significant milestones in acknowledging that yes, Linux and FOSS do exist, and yes, they are quite suitable, and even superior, for the enterprise. Of course we've known that for years, but getting the word out against the tsunamis of propaganda, misinformation, and FUD hasn't been easy.

Next: The Biggest Events »