He is, without a doubt, the only open source software leader who might be called “dashing.” Young (34), fabulously rich (north of $500 million as of 1999) Mark Shuttleworth buzzes around on his own private jet, the Canonical One. Raised in South Africa, in 2002 he launched the First African in Space mission, training as a cosmonaut and hitching a ride aboard a Russian spaceship. While hanging out in the International Space Station he spoke via video-link with Nelson Mandela.

He is also, without a doubt, the open source leader who is most actively shaping the future of the Linux desktop. Shuttleworth’s company, Canonical, sponsors Ubuntu, which has done more than any other distribution to begin pushing the Linux desktop into the mainstream. In a controversial move, Ubuntu ships with a Restricted Drivers Manager, facilitating the use of proprietary technology. While this offends some purists, this decision – along with Ubuntu’s famously user-friendly interface – could enable adoption by a non-specialist mass audience.

Equally revolutionary was Canonical’s deal with Dell to sell desktops with Ubuntu pre-installed. Convincing a major hardware vendor to take a chance on Linux PCs (internationally) sent a shot heard across the software business.

In this wide-ranging interview, Shuttleworth discusses the Ubuntu initiatives for mobile and mini-PCs, and his goal of making the Ubuntu user interface on par with the Mac. He also addresses the Novell-Microsoft deal, the controversy about proprietary drivers in Ubuntu, the Debian-Ubuntu relationship, and more.

In conversation, Shuttleworth speaks with an elegant English accent, likely due to his South African upbringing. He now lives in London, which is where he called from:

More Here