Messages in this thread | | | Subject | GNU/Linux vs Linux debate | From | Jonas Oberg <> | Date | 30 Mar 1999 12:42:28 +0200 |
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"Hi there!" he said enthusiastically. "I havn't been around much lately because my Linux-based systems just won't crash."
It has come to my attention that there has recently been a discussion about the GNU/Linux vs. Linux issue in which an essay I wrote some time ago has been used. Unfortunately, it was quoted slightly out of context so I feel it's time for me to explain myself.
These discussions have no place on this list however, so I suggest that all further communication is done via personal email.
In my essay I write; "To help everyone understand this, I have made it a habit of calling my system a Linux-based GNU-system, in short a GNU/Linux system. [...] By calling it a GNU/Linux system I give credit to every program which are part of--or has been adopted by--the GNU project."
I would ask that you pay attention to the 'I'. This is how -I- look at it. You might look at it in another way. In fact, you might even take the same argument and turn it around, thus enabling you to call your system a "Linux" system. There are nothing "right" and nothing "wrong" in a discussion like this because it all depends on how you look at the matters at hand.
I also write; "The specific name is not really important, though some people might want to think so. The importance is to give credit to the GNU project where credit is due. One way to do so is by calling the system a GNU/Linux system, but there are many more ways to do it and only your imagination will limit them."
Thats the core of my essay regarding the GNU/Linux vs Linux debate. When the FSF tells people to use the name GNU/Linux instead of "Linux", that is a suggestion, not a "MUST". Someone suggested to me that crediting GNU in the system bootup messages or in the motd would be a good idea, and that's perhaps something to think about.
I will continue to call my system a "GNU/Linux" system because thats the best way I can think of to credit the GNU Project. If you have found a better way, or a way that better fits you, I suggest you persue that course of action. Noone would be happier than me if we could stop this bickering between ourselves.
If we're going to take over the world, we've got a lot of software to write and this discussion is taking too much time away from more important matters like "How should bug foobar be fixed?", "Could we add foo in the bar driver?" and "foodp".
Happy hacking!
Jonas
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