Ian Murduch goes to Sun

Ian Murdoch is (and has been) the lead for the Linux Standard Base (LSB) effort which attempts to standardize Linux APIs and ABIs for applications. Also, as a result of the merger between the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) and the Free Standards Group (FSG), Ian was briefly the Chief Technology Officer for the resulting Linux Foundation.

Ian was snatched up by Sun this week. There are numerous rumors about what Sun might get out of this, including LSB branding for OpenSolaris on x86-64, addition of Java to the LSB, or certification of Sun's Java as an LSB certified application. Sun has a mixed history of working with Open Source, with positives being OpenSolaris and more recently choosing to license Java under GPLv2.

Ian's move obviously creates an opening at the Linux Foundation for a CTO. That position will likely be filled quickly to aid with the continuing/ongoing transition to the newer, more streamlined model that LF will be using for protecting, promoting, and standardizing Linux.