Final answer:
Linux is an example of an open-source operating system. It disrupted the high-tech economy by offering a cost-effective, customizable alternative to proprietary systems and has been incorporated into everything from personal computing to supercomputing.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the video, Linux is an example of an open-source operating system. This type of system, which started with Finnish graduate student Linus Torvalds' creation, revolutionized the high-tech economics by providing a free and configurable alternative to commercial operating systems. As a result, Linux and similar open-source software undermined the economic model of companies that relied on proprietary systems, such as Sun Microsystems and SGI, making it much cheaper to run servers, workstations, and eventually, supercomputers.
Open-source software like Linux quickly spread in popularity because it allowed for wide-scale collaboration, freedom in customization, and a reduction in costs for users and manufacturers. Linux became a viable option for companies like IBM and Dell to offer, breaking Microsoft's previous monopoly on operating systems. The readily configurable nature of Linux also meant it could power a variety of devices and systems, leading to its use in everything from personal computers to the world's top supercomputers.
The development of open-source operating systems like Linux fundamentally altered the landscape of high-tech, transforming the dynamics between freely available resources and commercial enterprise. It led to a decrease in costs for both building and maintaining computer infrastructure, and provided users with robust alternatives to proprietary systems, thereby fostering innovation and competition within the computing industry.