Re: [Fsuk-manchester] GNU/Linux and free speech

[Andy Halsall]

Dave Crossland wrote:
> On 09/01/2008, Matthew Edmondson <address@hidden> wrote:
> > I am not sure if it
> > helps us play together nicely and get on with promoting FS.
>
> I'm pretty sure that calling the OS GNU+Linux promotes software
> freedom more than calling it "Linux."
>
> > Maybe we do need
> > to have these kinds of interactions in order to determine who is the alpha
> > geek? meh.
>
> I don't think that is what is happening in the GNU+Linux naming discussions :-)


I'm pretty sure bickering over what we call software doesn't benefit 
anyone.  We should aim to be accurate, call GNU/Linux systems GNU Linux 
(attribution where its due) but don't call something that isn't GNU GNU.

Oh (addressing an earlier inference) and using a GNU compiler to compile 
software does *not* make it GNU software, it doesn't even mean the 
compiled software will be free!

Lastly, IM(NS)HO the most important thing is to make sure people are 
aware what 'Free Software', 'Copyleft' and 'Open Source' mean, there are 
enough organisations out there muddying the waters (see the issues 
surrounding ODF) without adding to it.

Oh and Matt, you win a prize for the least subtle initiation of a 
(rather poor in my opinion) flamewar I have seen in ages, no-one so far 
partially posted in ALL CAPS, and the number of exclamation marks used 
has so far been disappointing!!1!!!!