In this blog post, I’ll explore how Linus Torvalds and Steve Jobs understood and utilized open source and disclosure strategies, based on my reading of ‘Linux Just for Fun’ and ‘iCon’.

Tovalz and Jobs: Different Perspectives on Open Source

The anecdote about Steve Jobs, who was making a spectacular return as Apple’s CEO in 1997, offering Linus Tovalz a position is a symbolic event that illustrates the relationship and differences in thinking between the two men. Jobs specifically sought to recruit Linus, a native of Finland, despite the abundance of talent in Silicon Valley, while Torvalds flatly rejected the offer and harshly criticized Mac OS X at the time. Understanding the difference in their perspectives on software clarifies why Jobs was interested in Torvalds and why Torvalds declined the offer.
‘Linux Just for Fun’ and ‘iCon’ trace the paths of the two figures who ushered in the software era. ‘Linux Just for Fun’ chronicles the journey from the moment Torvalds first encountered a computer as a child to his creation of his own operating system kernel and the development of Linux in collaboration with developers worldwide. ‘iCon’ is a biography of Steve Jobs that explains his product philosophy and business approach.
A key concept that emerges from both books is the power of “open-source software,” which involves making source code public and encouraging widespread participation. However, there is a distinct difference in how Torvalds and Jobs viewed open source. Torvalds aimed to enhance the technical quality of software by gathering diverse technical opinions and ideas through open-source sharing. In contrast, Jobs placed greater emphasis on creating economic value by enabling external developers to build and sell products on the platform through disclosure.
Tovalz’s remarks recalling his meeting with Jobs clearly illustrate the difference in their interests. He said, “Steve was Steve. He focused on his goals, particularly in marketing. I was only interested in the technical aspects and had little interest in his goals or claims.” This difference in attitude can also be explained by the structural differences between the two platforms. Linux is closer to a “host and volunteer” structure where multiple developers participate on an equal footing. In contrast, Apple’s App Store model can be likened to a relationship between a platform provider (landlord) and developers who create and sell apps (tenants).

Lessons from Open Source and Its Significance in Modern Society

Although their approaches differ, they share the common understanding that an open approach can yield excellent results. Torvalds’ Linux began with a single individual’s curiosity and enjoyment, but by releasing the kernel and inviting programmers worldwide to participate, its performance and completeness improved dramatically. By making his code public, Torvalds developed the previously unfinished kernel alongside countless contributors, creating today’s Linux ecosystem.
Meanwhile, after returning to Apple, Jobs expanded the business beyond the computer market into MP3 players (iPods) and mobile platforms. The core of the App Store lies in Apple’s decision to open-source the iOS development interface and tools, enabling anyone to create apps. This fostered an ecosystem where diverse developers could turn their ideas into products and generate commercial value. In other words, openness created not only technological innovation but also commercial opportunities.
Today, technological advancement is no longer the work of a single genius. We are no longer in an era where developers and users are vertically separated. Horizontal collaboration, where many people contribute ideas and participate in development together, has become the standard in modern technology. The success stories of Linus Torvalds and Steve Jobs clearly illustrate this shift. Open-source and open-collaboration models are highly suited to gathering diverse perspectives and creativity.
In the past, companies were reluctant to disclose information because information itself was a competitive advantage. However, now that the internet and connectivity have become ubiquitous, the diversity of ideas generated through information and the mutual exchange of those ideas have become more important competitive advantages than the information itself. In the future, many companies will need to adopt open-source approaches or similar “openness and collaboration” models not only in the software sector but across various fields to drive richer ideas and technological advancements.
Ultimately, while the difference between Linus Torvalds and Steve Jobs stemmed from their differing goals, both strategically leveraged openness to create powerful ecosystems and products. This offers an important lesson for modern organizations and developers: openness is not merely a risky choice; when designed correctly, it can be a powerful tool that simultaneously generates innovation and value.