Today, the development and optimization of the Linux kernel has entered an era of “complete transparency.” New hardware demands, new application pain points, and kernel shortcomings are well understood by almost all companies. It is merely a matter of time before someone completes these optimizations. Stronger companies can accomplish this more efficiently and elegantly, leading others to follow.
The power of open source has made everything transparent; almost no company or individual can rely on “hidden cards” to win anymore. Do not overestimate your cleverness, thinking you can create something that others cannot, and hide that differentiation for a year or even three to five years—that is pure fantasy.
In this era driven by open source and with information almost completely public, it is foolish to hope to defeat competitors through so-called “differentiation”—because you have no battlefield space to hide.
What truly matters in this era is—leadership. Do not fear being copied; instead, look forward to everyone copying you. Because in today’s software industry, especially in the foundational software sector, a company’s true strength lies not inhiding, but in thesoft power and speed formed through leadership, ultimately winning deeper trust and confidence from customers in their products through openness.
As the saying goes:In martial arts, speed is unbeatable.
We sincerely appreciate the efforts of companies like Rockchip, Allwinner, Loongson, and Huawei in “playing transparently.” Every bit of their investment in the mainline is laying the foundation for the long-term health and continuous prosperity of the entire ecosystem.
Those companies, especially chip manufacturers, that have yet to participate in mainline work will ultimately be marginalized by the times—their products are destined to be ruthlessly eliminated by the market.