Comments on: The Linux Foundation’s Big Lie: ‘Linux’ is 22 Years Old http://techrights.org/2013/09/20/wilful-omissions/ Free Software Sentry – watching and reporting maneuvers of those threatened by software freedom Fri, 25 Nov 2016 09:41:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.14 By: Michael http://techrights.org/2013/09/20/wilful-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-137689 Sat, 21 Sep 2013 20:15:00 +0000 http://techrights.org/?p=71846#comment-137689 It is relevant because it is likely the largest reason the Linux folks do not speak much of Stallman. The fact that he is a dishonest extremist focused on “exclusion and hatred” turns people off. Now he is on the end where he is being “excluded” and he does not like it. I cannot say I feel badly for him at all.

With that said, when the topic of the GPL comes up I do think it makes sense to make sure people know where it comes from and to show thanks toward Stallman. Yes: Stallman has many repulsive and even reprehensible qualities, but that does not mean his work on the GPL has not changed the world in a positive way. As much as I have no respect for him as a person I have immense respect for his work there… and I think Linus and most who use Linux would agree.

]]> By: Needs Sunlight http://techrights.org/2013/09/20/wilful-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-137688 Sat, 21 Sep 2013 18:13:10 +0000 http://techrights.org/?p=71846#comment-137688 That’s simply the old argument of freedom for the first iteration of developers versus freedom for the end users arbitrarily out. It is also known as the BSD versus GPL debate. it’s not relevant here.

]]> By: Michael http://techrights.org/2013/09/20/wilful-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-137687 Sat, 21 Sep 2013 17:42:31 +0000 http://techrights.org/?p=71846#comment-137687 I do not think Linus is against the GPL… why would he be? It is great and he is very happy he uses it (as am I). Not sure why you went off on that tangent.

But Stallman gets shunned because as great as the GPL is (and some of his other work) he is an extremist focused on exclusion and hatred, as so many of Stallman’s followers do. It is very cult-like.

Stallman has specifically stated that his ideal would be to have choices and freedoms limited by the law – so that developers would lose rights to protect their work as they wish. He is very, very much *against* real freedom, which is the right to protect your property how you wish – not just how *he* approves. This is not to say in any way the GPL is not a great choice. Again, not sure why you went off on that tangent.

]]> By: Needs Sunlight http://techrights.org/2013/09/20/wilful-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-137686 Sat, 21 Sep 2013 17:31:02 +0000 http://techrights.org/?p=71846#comment-137686 Richard Stallman only shocks people because he drops the f-word a lot — Freedom. A lot of people can’t handle that. Others can’t get over the fact that he doesn’t wear a tie either. As far as Linus Torvalds’ support of RMS goes, he is very happy with his choice of the GPL for his project and has said so on multiple occasions:

http://meta.slashdot.org/story/12/10/11/0030249/linus-torvalds-answers-your-ques
tions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MShbP3OpASA

Look at about 30:45 in the video. Though he dances around the F-word, it is clear that he chose the GPL for a reason.

Also one of the founders of OSI brings up the F-word:

Now that the world is watching, it’s time for us to start teaching them about Free Software. Notice, I said Free Software, _not_ Open Source.

http://news.slashdot.org/story/99/02/18/0927202/bruce-perens-resigns-from-osi

]]> By: Michael http://techrights.org/2013/09/20/wilful-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-137685 Sat, 21 Sep 2013 16:45:42 +0000 http://techrights.org/?p=71846#comment-137685 Part of this comes from Stallman’s extreme and distasteful views. Linus Torvalds has said:

There are ‘extremists’ in the free software world, but that’s one major reason why I don’t call what I do ‘free software’ any more. I don’t want to be associated with the people for whom it’s about exclusion and hatred.

He is clearly speaking of Stallman and his dishonest claims about wanting freedom (while also saying he would love if laws were passed to restrict choice and freedom).

]]> By: Needs Sunlight http://techrights.org/2013/09/20/wilful-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-137684 Sat, 21 Sep 2013 12:04:48 +0000 http://techrights.org/?p=71846#comment-137684 LinuxCon North America just came and went. The presentations are online, but there was no real nod given to the GNU project in spite of the upcoming anniversary. Between the GPL and the GCC, there has been very high beneficial impact on the world. The list of major tools and projects built with gcc is quite long. That includes many of the popular higher level languages that we now take for granted.

]]> By: Michael http://techrights.org/2013/09/20/wilful-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-137681 Sat, 21 Sep 2013 01:15:52 +0000 http://techrights.org/?p=71846#comment-137681 Linux is the age it is.
Other projects are different ages.

For those who work on Linux to note its anniversary is not a “lie” in any way, shape, or form.

]]>