> To David, the Guix developers had the intention to call the system just GNU, > and distribute it as GNU (Guix is a GNU project after all), but RMS didn't > agree, so it was decided to use the GuixSD name and call it "A distribution > of GNU", and not "THE distribution of GNU." [1]
First I appreciate all the work done by members of GNU project or any other free software project. I don't object to calling guixsd THE GNU operating system, because that means that guixsd is an operating system called GNU and is a project from the GNU organization. If we call it A GNU operating system then it requires additional explanation. We can not expect people to know what the criteria is for an operating system being A GNU operating system. I've spent a considerable amount of the last 8 years learning about computers and I don't find it clear (as I mentioned in an earlier email there are multiple possible interpretations of what a GNU system is). If it is explained somewhere then it is not a problem. I also think that supporting Hurd also as a kernel does not make guixsd not a Linux distribution, but makes guixsd both a Linux and a Hurd distribution. I find it sensible to empathize the "better known" one, but I don't have any attachment to a particular name or kernel. What to call something is ultimately a marketing issue and not a technical issue. If I had to sell red bananas, I'd call the product a banana. Saying it is not a banana it is a red banana, and that the main thing about the banana is the fact that it's red so I'll market my product as simply red isn't a sound decision in my opinion. If I ask someone do you want to buy a banana they might say mmh yes I'm hungry, I'd like a banana thanks. Oh cool it's a red banana! On the other hand if I go and say do you want to buy some red? I'd expect to get a less positive response. No thank you I don't need red.