<Li> 1996: Version 2.0 of the Linux kernel is released . The kernel can now serve several processors at the same time using symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), and thereby becomes a serious alternative for many companies . </Li> <Li> 1998: Many major companies such as IBM, Compaq and Oracle announce their support for Linux . The Cathedral and the Bazaar is first published as an essay (later as a book), resulting in Netscape publicly releasing the source code to its Netscape Communicator web browser suite . Netscape's actions and crediting of the essay brings Linux's open source development model to the attention of the popular technical press . In addition a group of programmers begins developing the graphical user interface KDE . </Li> <Li> 1999: A group of developers begin work on the graphical environment GNOME, destined to become a free replacement for KDE, which at the time, depends on the, then proprietary, Qt toolkit . During the year IBM announces an extensive project for the support of Linux . </Li> <Li> 2000: Dell announces that it is now the No. 2 provider of Linux - based systems worldwide and the first major manufacturer to offer Linux across its full product line . </Li>

Who wrote and currently maintains the linux operating system