Rev2.org

Two major milestones for Linux, the open source and very popular operating system, have come to pass.  First, Linux turned 20 years old and the Linux Foundation released an infographic (below) to commemorate the event and the history of the OS.

Since its inception in 1991, Linux has literally come to dominate the computing world as we know it.  It’s in the servers that power some of the world’s most trafficked websites like Amazon.com, Facebook, and many others.  It also powers Android phones, which are the most-shipped phones on the planet.

The Linux Foundation has also released a video about the first 20 years of Linux and is holding a contest in which participants can create their own videos about the 20 years.  Winners will receive airfare, registration and hotel expenses to attend one of four big events: LinuxCon North America, LinuxCon Europe, SXSW 2012 or the LA Film Festival.

Another milestone that Linux has traversed?  It’s long-time battle with (rumored Microsoft-funded) SCO has ended with Linux winning out over the ownership claims of the company.  As a result, one of the websites that receives more traffic than any other Linux-oriented websites, Groklaw.net, is closing down.

That website, a sort of blog and political action website, was created by Pamela “PJ” Jones, a paralegal and fan of Linux.  She started the site to combat the negative PR that SCO was attempting to spread.  She built a community of activists and legal experts and defeated SCO’s campaign.

Unsanctioned, third-party app provider Cydia – sort of the store for those who don’t use iTunes – has landed a brand deal with Toyota.  The advertising deal is the first of its kind, where a major brand goes to a non-conforming provider for marketing.  The ads being run are part of Toyota’s advertising campaign to push its iPhone user interface app for select Toyota cars.

The app is focused (currently) on the Scion tC model, but Toyota has said they are likely to spread this to other vehicles in the future.  The news on the Toyota ad purchase was broken by ModMyi’s Kyle Matthews and picked up by 9to5Mac.

This comes right on the heels of a new iOS 4.3 jailbreak that isn’t tethered to a device – it works on everything but the new iPad 2 and Verizon’s version of the iPhone.   The exceptions are because this break is specifically for GSM devices (i.e. iOS 4.3.1).

The advertising deal makes sense for Toyota’s Scion brand, since it is aimed at a younger crowd and markets itself as “cutting edge” in looks and style.  That market is the same one that is likely to be jailbreaking devices in order to exploit and use applications not officially sanctioned by Apple.

In fact, the custom theme and advertising model are made specifically to appeal to jailbreakers.

This could be a watershed moment for the “outlaw” jailbreak scene, as Matthews points out on his post.  It is, after all, a large corporate brand apparently accepting the scene as legitimate and utilizing it.  It also shows that Apple’s iAd platform may be a little too controlled for some advertisers.  It also gives Toyota a chance to stick it to one of Scion’s biggest competitors: Nissan, who was showcased by Jobs when he revealed the iAd platform.

Things are getting interesting!