Although the combined market share of Linux distributions pales in comparison with Windows or Mac OS X, the Linux community is strong, engaged and, perhaps most importantly, loyal. Part of that is due to the community's strong feelings against closed software, especially products sold by Microsoft. It's also due to Linux's creator, Linus Torvalds, who still commands a massive amount of respect and admiration sometimes bordering on adoration.

The importance of Torvalds' endorsement of the Nexus One can't be understated. In many ways, the Linux community follows his lead. When he offers an opinion, the community rallies behind him. The Nexus One will be no different. And considering that the Nexus One competes against Apple's iPhone, Torvalds' endorsement could have a more profound impact on iPhone sales than we might expect.

Let's take a look at why Torvalds and the Linux community could affect iPhone sales, while helping Google's Android platform.

1. Open source means everything

To the Linux community, open-source software means everything. Linux fans believe that the finest software can only be improved with the help of users around the globe. They fundamentally disagree with the belief that a handful of developers can produce a proprietary software application that is superior to an open-source alternative. In the open-source community's view, the Nexus One and Google's Android platform provide open alternatives to the iPhone, making Apple's device less capable and thus less desirable.

2. Torvalds' opinion matters