Since Linus Torvalds in 1991, then just a student in Finland, posted to the comp.os.minix newsgroup the words: Hello everybody out there using minix... Linux has been constantly growing without end. Linux users as well as non-linux users have watched and observed the diversity of distros has spread from a wide array of debian-based to knoppix-based, ubuntu-based, from SLS to Slackware-based to Slax-based and so on, ranging from special-purpose distributions, education oriented and network oriented distributions to livedistros, minidistros along side many distros used to optmize older and more primitive machines. we've seen the use of linux for servers and security features and distros designed for the sole purpose of performing specific security related tasks. we've watched the development of niche distributions and distributions published in foreign languages. we've even seen the development of distributions specifically design for smartphones, pocket pcs and home gaming consoles as well as distributions solely designed for multimedia uses, image, audio and video editing.

There are currently hundreds of Linux distros available. Each fills a gap. Each fufills specific and specialized tasks. Each appeals to someone within the Linux community. Nowadays, SUSE, Knoppix , Ubuntu and Vektor are some examples of more popular general use and user friendly Linux distros. According to the results documented on Distrowatch.Com, Distros like Sabayon, CentOS, Puppy, FreeBSD have been continuing to gain a lot of attention over the past six to twelve months and distros like PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE and Mint are some of the most popular choices among Linux users. So, what's next? What now? Should Linux developers continue to find new uses for Linux for new types of users and new applications? Who can benefit from linux and what gaps need to be filled? if you're an individual interewsted in switching from windows to linux, for example, your main concerns are most likey at least closely related to the following: Whether or not you will be able to work with linux or will linux be too complicated for you, how much time will you have to invest to learn how to use linux and will you be able to make use of linux.

One problem noticed is the lack of programming done for engineers. Within the past decade, the engineering, design and drafting world has been experiencing a shift from 2d to 3d cad and the majority of open source applications in this field barely meet the expectations of a 2d cad designer. Another thing that can be noted is that most graphic designers still prefer Photoshop over Gimp. Linux is growing, but we can see that Windows is also being used as a server. The educational as well as professional world has been increasingly making use of Linux, yet many fields stil consider Linux a toy and in many companies, handing something in that is only Linux compatable is grounds for immediate termination. Why is that?