Quality software engineering
Wanted
When it comes to software engineering, we need more of it.
Recently I returned from the fantastic LinuxFest Northwest 2009 conference in Bellingham, Washington, a small city north of Seattle and home to a variety of people, from self-described "ancient hippies" to software people who have fled Redmond for a quieter life. On my return flight, which left from the Bellingham airport, I sat next to a gentleman of "about my age." When I greeted him, he responded with a hint of a Scottish accent.
Our small talk turned to our occupations: I told him about my job "selling Free Software," and he told me about his job as a systems engineer for Chevron. As the conversation continued, he discussed all of his efforts to use Microsoft products and the number of times they jammed up on him. His voice grew warm as he talked about how Unix systems and Linux systems were much more stable and how he liked them a lot better.
Then he said something that I had heard a long time ago: "Of course, for mission-critical applications, real mission-critical applications, the type of applications that absolutely have to work, we would never use software-controlled computers. Hydraulics are the way to go. Software is just too unreliable."
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Arch Linux Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you've ever wanted to use a rolling release distribution with WSL, now's your chance.
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.