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Linux is a very efficient operating system used by thousands around the world. One of the best things about Linux and probably what helped to make it so popular is that it is free. So how does an operating system like Linux make any money for its developers if it doesn’t cost a cent to purchase?
Linux programmers and developers do not make any money from Linux itself. As Linux is available for free download via open source, they of course do not make any money from the profits from sales. Linux programmers usually make money by working for other companies who provide Linux related applications. These companies, such as Red Hat, provide Linux users with programs which have been specifically written to perform specific tasks using Linux as an operating system platform.
Basically the people who are helping to further develop Linux by writing code do so because it is something which they love to do. Those who collaborate and write code for Linux go into it knowing full well that they are doing so on the basis they are volunteering his or her time and knowledge. This is the main concept for anything that has been designed and made available through open source.
So the question, how does Linux make money can’t really be answered like most people want it to be. Those who are paid to write code for Linux related projects are few and far between, with most doing it for free out of his or her love for computers and coding, and to progress one of the most popular operating systems in the world today.
