I was wondering, since most software for Linux is free, and since Linux is free, how do people make money working with Linux? Is it by setting up servers and administrating them, or writing commericial software?

from what i've seen is some people will improve apon an open source program and charge for it but include more features and possibly support then for the open source program. I think a lot of the money is not from actual selling the programs but like from support and addons and consulting. Im not too sure because i have not made any money off OSS yet.

A number of companies have Linux server infrastructures so there are plenty of jobs supporting them. I'd suggest going to Monster or HotJobs or similar and searching for "Linux." There are actually quite a lot of results.

Hmm interesting. Right now I'm a Freshmen looking into different oppertunities for careers. I did look at Monster, and theres a lot of different and well paying jobs out there. So I'll have to start learning Linux more seriously and hopefully will be able to get enough experience just playing around.

How can you make money with Linux? Here are a few ways I can think of:

• Design Linux systems
  
• Train people to use Linux (be sure to utilize Nerf Frisbees at some point)
  
• Maintain Linux networks (system administrator)
  
• Install/configure Linux on existing systems (e.g. businesses dumping Windows)
  
• Repair/upgrade Linux hardware and fix, reconfigure, and/or reinstall its s/w
  
• Write about Linux for websites, magazines, book publishers
  
• Sell pre-installed Linux computers
  
• Develop custom applications (OSS is great, but if someone hires me to code, I don't have a problem charging 'em!)
  
• Organize Linux-related events
  
• Make a penguin costume and hire yourself out as Tux (birthdays, IT staff parties, etc.)
  
• Make and sell Linux-themed computer accessories, jewelry, car deodorants, sweatsocks, and so on

But probably the best way of all is to inherit a bunch of dough from a rich relative, then spend the rest of your life playing with Linux and not worrying about anything. It works for me. (Okay, it would work for me, if it happened.)

Moved: This thread is more suitable in General and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Service and support...eg look at the Canonical idea---free Ubuntu Linux, sign up for support with Canonical.

This is increasingly a business model for many things--not just Linux.

Starting to think about looking for jobs?? Get a word-processor with good spelling and grammar tools....

quote:
..I'm a Freshmen looking into different oppertunities for careers. I did look at Monster, and theres a lot of different and well paying jobs out there.
endquote:

freshman, not capitalized (freshmen is plural)
opportunities
there's
well-paying

Never underestimate the importance of good english on a resume....

It's kinda funny to see this. I was you. If you look at my posting history, you'll find that same question from me about 2 years ago.

I get to be a Linux Admin. I got really lucky, but I got it. They do exist (the jobs) - you just gotta look.

Furthermore, I can say with great certainty, that I would not have stuck with, learned, and earned the privilege to work with linux - were it not for LQ.

There's gold in there here forums.....

What does a linux admin do? What do you have to know?

You're absolutely right that you can get somewhere "as a Freshman (in high school or college) just poking around." That's how I did it.

Your Linux installation is a full-featured, industrial strength operating-system ... on your laptop, in your dorm-room. You have a great leg-up that we never had -- the Internet. Including, specifically, this web-site and its cousins.

People are using this operating-system for all sorts of purposes, business or scientific or military or what-have-you. You can find what you like to do. The bottom line, always, is that you know what you're talking about (and that when you don't, you do not bluff), and you can make promises and then deliver upon them. That's it.

Also, "bloom where you are planted." Are there not jobs in the computer-center or particular departments of your college? Whether they pay well or not, they are experience and references.

The process will not be easy and there is no road-map, but it's endlessly engaging. The very same hobby that I first got into thirty years ago is still capturing my interest and remains my profession.

And it started with a pocket reference card given to a Freshman kid in high school . . .