Being a contributor to an open-source project is not the same as actually owning a “commercial” product. They can voice opinions in the mailing lists, but they don’t have direct influence. Sure, some maintainers work for those companies, but I would say that’s hardly the same. It’s sponsorship, and it’s welcome pretty much no matter where it comes from in my view.
If those companies disappeared overnight, Linux would be fine. Development would be a lot slower, sure, but it wouldn’t implode and instantly become worthless like macOS or Windows
my sides
Being a contributor to an open-source project is not the same as actually owning a “commercial” product. They can voice opinions in the mailing lists, but they don’t have direct influence. Sure, some maintainers work for those companies, but I would say that’s hardly the same. It’s sponsorship, and it’s welcome pretty much no matter where it comes from in my view.
If those companies disappeared overnight, Linux would be fine. Development would be a lot slower, sure, but it wouldn’t implode and instantly become worthless like macOS or Windows