Linus Torvalds

Linus Torvalds is the Finnish creator of the Linux operating system kernel, the basis for all linux distributions, which are full operating systems - similar in function to Windows or MacOS. His creation has come directly under the crosshairs of Microsoft as it increases in popularity despite being a largely non-commercial phenomenon. Some linux distributions are commercial (e.g. Red Hat) and some are entirely non-commercial (e.g. Debian Linux). The linux kernel itself is entirely non-commercial (i.e., a public good), with a license requiring that any changes made to it must also be made public.

In 2004, Time magazine named him one of the most influential people in the world.