Long-time open-source software executive Matt Asay recently left Alfresco to join Canonical as its Chief Operating Officer. Matt also founded the Open Source Business Conference (OSBC), which takes place this week, and is speaking at The Linux Foundation's Collaboration Summit next month. Matt took some time recently to share his perspective with me on why Canonical can take Linux places Red Hat can't, how Linux beats Apple, and how the Ubuntu community's passion and focus on design will change the way people see Linux for a long time.

After four years at an open source application company, you’re coming back to Linux. Why now? And, why Canonical?

Asay: I loved working for Alfresco, a company with excellent technical and business leadership. I joined Alfresco because I wanted executive mentoring, first, and to help build an explosive, profitable company. Both were fulfilled in my four years there.

I wanted a new challenge - one where I could apply the lessons learned at Alfresco and have success reflected industry wide. However, I didn't want to leave my friends at Alfresco unless it was to work with other good friends.
Canonical offered me both.

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