Re: [Ghm-discuss] Main Topic for 2012

[Rick C. Hodgin]

True.  Yet every speech RMS gives on GNU and free software he brings up 
the kernel history, and explains that it's still not working yet.

To me, I would suggest the following be discussed in their entirety as 
primary topics:

1)  Is it worth completing the HURD?  If not, do we abandon it and go 
monolithic?
2)  Once our kernel is complete (or abandoned), what will our GNU 
Distribution be called?
3)  What is our time frame for completion?

If I could attend, I'd be happy to present on all of these.  They are 
the overall state of GNU in everybody's eyes.

I can't tell you how many people I've discussed the GNU project, its 
inception, RMS's goals, etc., and I get to the point where the kernel 
was begun in 1991 and it still isn't finished.  Most everybody 
immediately turns their head or averts their eyes as if to say "Does not 
sound like a good project.  It's how many years later and their 
core-most feature still isn't working?  Scary."

The kernel should be re-evaluated into a very, very high priority for 
GNU's reputation and the completion of RMS's original goals.

And, FWIW, I think you'll find the FSF doesn't list the kernel as a high 
priority any longer because it's failed so many times and RMS has 
essentially given up on it because nobody seems to be able to make it 
work properly.

Best regards,
Rick C. Hodgin

On 06/02/2012 03:29 AM, Neal H. Walfield wrote:
> At Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:42:13 -0400,
> Rick C. Hodgin wrote:
> > Well, it's not a joke, Neal.  And I'm not to be harsh or mean.  But GNU
> > is incomplete without the HURD.  Linux works, but it's not GNU.  It's
> > GNU plus Linux, or GNU/Linux.
> The FSF doesn't employ anyone to work on the Hurd.  Thus, work on the
> Hurd is completely driven by volunteers in their free time.  Although
> there are some people who actively work on the Hurd, there are not
> enough to realize your vision in the very near future.  This lack of
> volunteers suggests that there are not a lot of people who share your
> vision.  Indeed, even the FSF does not include the Hurd on their list
> of high-priority projects.
>
> Neal