The 2012 London Olympics promises to be a spectacular event. Recently I have been wondering what role open source software will play in the event. Here are a few things that have come to mind:
1) There will be lots of websites carrying news, results, information and statics about the event. Linux is the most popular web hosting platform in the world. Without Linux (and to be fair FreeBSD etc) there would be no Internet.
2) Mobile devices will be prevalent during the games for spectators, commentators and the teams themselves. Among all these mobile devices a large proportion of phones and tablets will run Android. Which itself uses the Linux kernel and the GNU tool chain. With O2 providing (in collaboration with Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea councils) providing free Wi-Fi access to broadband services London, even humble Wi-Fi only tablets will be able to go online in and around the Olympics venues.
3) The third category of open source software that will be used during the 2012 games is embedded solutions. Linux and other open source projects have found their way into all types of embedded devices from routers, switches, Wi-Fi access points and even set-top-boxes.
I am looking forward to the games and I am looking forward to Linux and open source playing their role.
