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Re: [gNewSense-users] Email address for Linus Torvalds?


From: Kevin M. Dean
Subject: Re: [gNewSense-users] Email address for Linus Torvalds?
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 08:55:47 -0400
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I think Linus has a huge ego; my statement was quasi-sarcastic. But to
criticize Linus for being egotistical, and then turning to see
Stallman's eccentricities as a strength kind of implies something
not-so-fair.

I think Linus' ego defines him, and I think historically it may have
played a part in the creation of the kernel Linux itself. Who knows how
well it may have developed had Andy Tanenbaum not given Linus someone to
"prove wrong". Software has this ability to pull in strong personalities
like iron filings to a magnet.

His ego shines with statements like the one you quoted.

For all he wants to say that it wasn't (and isn't) a Free Software
project... It's GPL, and GPL is free. Claiming Linux is not free
software is as incorrect as claiming the Windows NT kernel is. The
license of Linux says "Free Software" a LOT stronger than Linus says
it's not.



Matthew Flaschen wrote:
> Kevin M. Dean wrote:
>> Linus has an ego? 
> 
> Everyone has an ego, thank god.  I don't think Linus's is huge,
> /despite/ having a kernel (and by semi-accidental extension, an entire
> OS) named after him (which wasn't originally his idea, though he acquiesced)
> 
>> Hrm. We'll, it's a good thing our figurehead, Richard
>> Stallman isn't a nutcase.
> 
> He's definitely a bit extreme sometimes, and I don't agree with him on
> everything, but I respect him a lot.
> 
>> As to being apolitical, it's not possible. Inaction causes ripples just
>> as great a actions. He might go on saying he's against it, but at the
>> end of the day, he does nothing but make the most popular Free Software
>> kernel better.
> 
> I do appreciate very much his (and others') work on the kernel, which
> has helped realize a quality free OS.  However (I'm not sure if this is
> your point), not caring about free software does somewhat support the
> proprietary status quo.
> 
>> I don't agree with Richard Stallman about everything, and there are
>> Linux kernel developers who don't care what Linus thinks. Linux is Free
>> Software, even if it wasn't created to be. Neither was the Solaris
>> kernel, or Java.
> 
> Yes, and Open Source software.  Linus happens not to agree ("Well, you
> do have to realize that Linux has never been an FSF project, and
> in fact has never even been a "Free Software" project.")
> 
>> As to why he began writing the kernel in the first place, or how well it
>> worked out for him... Well, Eben Moglen has made a nice profit out of
>> his name.
> 
> Has he really, compared to most lawyers?  I think both of them started
> for non-financial reasons (again, maybe that's your point; it's late).
> 
>> I don't think going somethign for fame, or status, or money or
>> some really cute girl are bad things. It's when you begin walking over
>> and taking advantage of people that the pursuit of those things becomes
>> a problem.
> 
> Exactly, which is why I'm glad to give money to free software developers.
> 
>> Anyway, it's the voice of the million little people that matter more
>> than the shouts of one man.
> 
> Agreed.
> 
> Matt Flaschen
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> gNewSense-users mailing list
> address@hidden
> http://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnewsense-users
> 

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