Linux developers are rapidly trying to make the software as user-friendly as possible and they continually create new interfaces and functionalities. Their goal is make the programs as appealing to desktop users as they are to major corporations and agencies who depend on Linux for its power and reliability. Linux’s ability to be improved is one of the strengths of open source software, simply because an entire community of talented developers can devote their efforts to fixing problems and adding new innovations. In another prediction for the future, Linus Torvalds, who created Linux, has said he thinks the future of Linux lies in supporting a wider range os systems, taking advantage of and expanding Linux’s portability.
If I don’t like something in the code, or if I find a bug, is it legal for me to change it myself and contribute it to the open source community ?
Programmers who enjoy working on the Linux kernel do so for the satisfaction of sharing their work and of having made a significant contribution to the open source community. It is this same pride that entices other computer enthusiasts to contribute their own additions to an open source project, but there are a few things to consider before donating changes or improvements. First, contributors should consider whether a certain code is licensed to allow changes. Although open source is-by definition-open to the public, most codes fall under one of several different types of licenses, including the BSD-Style Copyright(which allows users to alter the code on the condition that you give credit if you try to sell it), the Mozilla Public License (Which requires that any changes are released under the same copyright as the MPL, which makes it available to the original project) and the GNU Public License(Which says that changes that incorporate GPL’d code also fall under the GPL) used by Red Hat, among many others.
Aside from licensing issues, anyone who wants to change or improve a Linux kernel should consider whether those changes would be of value to other developers of the same project. Competition to have a specific patch or improvement accepted into the open source community is tough (and financially unrewarding), but many novice developers take pride in having their work appreciated, despite the lack of compensation for their time.
Credit : Mimos Open Source