Open source -- non computer topics

From: Doc <doc_at_mdrconsult.com>
Date: Wed Apr 24 10:42:11 2002

On Wed, 24 Apr 2002, Ryan Underwood wrote:

> It's not just "garbage". There is a reason for it, that the majority
> of the Debian community agrees with, or it wouldn't be done. Plain and
> simple. I'm sure you are already aware of the reasons, but reject them.
> What you label "garbage" are the very attributes that many Debian members
> hold dear.

  Speaking as a Debian user and part of a very strong Debian userbase in
Austin:

  "Bah!"

  Richard M. Stallman not only didn't invent open software, he didn't
coin the term. He DID provide a very critically imporatant rallying
point and a charismatic front for the computing/coding community.
Nobody wants to deny or minimize that. Most of us recognize that he has
become an egotistical, inflexible loon.

  The entire world has voted. The name is "Linux", not "GNU/Linux".

  The entire Unix world recognises RMS's contribution to our daily
compfort, yet he spurns the recognition and the honors given him in
favor af a semantic point he'll never make.

  If it sounds like a raw nerve, it is. The UT Linux SIG group just
asked RMS to speak this year. Hed he turned us down because of the
group's name - SIGLinux as opposed to SIGNULinux, even though the
registered name is "SIGLinux: The UT ACM's GNU/Linux Users Group" - I'd
have been miffed but not offended. That's his call, and I'm sure he
gets more requests than he can handle.

Quote from RMS's letter to SIGLinux:
However, I have a policy that if a GNU/Linux User Group asks me fo
give a speech, I will do so at the first convenient opportunity.
So if your group picks a suitable name now, I will come then.
End quote.

  That's extortion. That's rampant egotism, trading on his popularity
and his desirability as a guest to enforce his whims.

> If you don't like Debian, you are free to either attempt to improve it,
> or join the ranks of others who use a different system. It's a personal
> choice. Debian is different for a reason.

  I simply expunge vrms.

        Doc
Received on Wed Apr 24 2002 - 10:42:11 BST