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the point being that there was a time (some greybeards might remember) where contributing to the linux kernel wasn't "work" but a fun hobby

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Sure, but that time was nearly 30 years ago. Linux has been "mainstream" since at least August 1999.

Why August 1999? Seems quite specific?

RedHat's IPO. Seemed like as good a date as any to anchor "when Linux went mainstream". I'm sure there are other dates that are arguably at least as good here.

Ah right, that roughly tracks. Just wasn't obvious where "August 1999" came from.

Kind of amazing timeline in hindsight by the way; Linux was "only" 8 years old at that point.

people like me contributed their freetime afterwards still

People still do. I think the point he's making is that the bulk of the kernel's source coming from people paid to do it has been a thing for probably over 20 years.

Any data for this?

Yes, here for example https://lwn.net/Articles/915435/

Appreciate it! I tried, but couldn't come up with the right search term.

So, total being between around 60%!

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