The Linux Foundation is a non-profit technology consortium founded in 2000 as a merger between Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group to standardise Linux, support its growth and promote its commercial adoption.
As a Platinum member, Facebook’s Head of Open Source Kathy Kam will join the Linux Foundation’s board. Kam, for one, is very happy that Facebook is joining The Linux Foundation. She says the Foundation:
Linux also formed the backbone of some of Facebook’s early infrastructure. This is why we’re thrilled to be doing our part in sponsoring the LF at the highest level. The Linux Foundation has and continues to play a crucial role in the continued success of not only Linux but also in broader open source ecosystems as well. At Facebook, our mission focuses on building community and bringing the world closer together. Open source has been critical to that mission from day 1 and continues to play an important role in helping to bring opportunity and innovation to the far reaches of the globe. We hope that this sponsorship will further the goal of keeping Linux and all of open source thriving for years to come.
Most web-based companies are built on Linux and open-source software. Facebook has been the lead contributor of many Linux Foundation-hosted projects, such as Presto, GraphQL, Osquery and ONNX. The social network also employs many Linux kernel key developers and maintainers.
Projects hosted at the Linux Foundation include the Linux kernel project, Kubernetes, Automotive Grade Linux, Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP), Hyperledger, Cloud Native Computing Foundation, Cloud Foundry Foundation, Xen Project, and many others.
It’s a natural move. While Facebook’s open-source group has long been a member, the main company is finally joining the Foundation at its highest level.
