There are a number of electronic technology products which are vital in the modern workplace;  including computers, fax machines, photocopiers, and mobile phones.  Business has gone through more major changes in the past few decades than it ever has before, and most of these changes are due to the integration of electronic technology products into the work flow patterns of traditional  business enterprises.  The computer is the perfect example of a piece of technology that can perform the same functions as a number of other hardware devices;  such as the typewriter, telephone, and filing system, as well as introducing  a lot of new and powerful functionality into the workplace.  Some people argue that the evolution of technology will become more open source in nature, with products like the Linux operating system leading the way to a more free and customised digital future.

The history of computers encompasses a number of different areas, such as computer hardware, computer software, and digital communications technology.  Since the beginning of personal computing, people have seen a decrease in the costs associated with computer development and acquisition, a decrease in the size of computers, and a sharp increase in the power and performance of computers.  Operating systems have also developed to fit with the increased performance of computer hardware, with Microsoft Windows becoming the most popular system available today.  There are however, a number of freely available and open source operating system alternatives, including the popular Linux operating system.

For any modern business operating today, it is crucial to have the best computer resources available that best suit the needs of the business.  More and more companies are turning to Linux as the best way to implement an inexpensive, powerful, and secure office computer environment.  Linux systems have had a long use in computer servers, and are now being seen more and more often in personal computers and embedded devices.  Most of the supercomputers in the world use a Linux system, as do the majority of major servers that are depended upon by the Internet.

There are many Linux fans all over the world, with the Brazilian and Indian governments both using Linux systems for management and educational solutions within their countries.  Linux has a large community of users and developers, many of which work on a volunteer basis in the development on new distributions and applications.  Because of this loyal and dedicated fan base of users, an industry has also developed around Linux merchandise – such as Linux mouse pads, Linux coffee cups, and Linux books an magazines.  There is little doubt that Linux and open source software in general is going to play a major part in the evolution of computing in the next century.