As Linux turns 34 this year, we’re celebrating not only the technology itself but also the people whose careers have been shaped by it. One of them is Philipp Storz, Co-Founder of Bareos, who has been working with Linux and open source software for nearly three decades.
“I first came into contact with Linux around 1995 during my computer science studies,
we programmed on a Unix system, and in order to run these programs on my own PC,
I tried Linux for the first time.”
Philipp recalls
His first Linux distribution was SUSE Linux.
“SUSE Linux was already a very user-friendly distribution back then, allowing you to get a working system even without too much Linux knowledge.”
That early experience led to a career-defining decision. Shortly after graduating, Philipp applied for a job at SUSE and has been working primarily with Linux and open source software since then. Today, he uses Fedora Linux, appreciating its balance between stability and up-to-date packages – a combination that works well for running enterprise backup environments.
Open source remains central to his professional and personal life.
“It gives people the freedom to manage their own data and hardware as they see fit. The opposite is true for closed-source software, where users can only do what the manufacturer allows with their own hardware and software, which ultimately leads to a lack of freedom.”
When asked what he would thank Linux for, Philipp doesn’t hesitate:
„Linux has shown that open source software has the potential to change the world. Today’s digital world would be unthinkable without the free availability of powerful open source software.“
As for his daily workflow, he prefers the terminal over the GUI for its efficiency – proof that some habits are worth keeping.
Philipp’s journey is just one example of how Linux has shaped careers and inspired innovation. We’d love to hear your Linux story – feel free to share it in the comments below or get in touch with us directly.
And don’t forget: our next Bareos Expert Circle is happening on September, 18. It is a great opportunity to exchange knowledge and connect with other open source professionals.
If you’re not yet familiar with Bareos, this is the perfect time to try it out: download