* Michael Brailsford <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [2004-02-02 15:39:27 -0600]:
> On Mon, Feb 02, 2004 at 09:34:53PM +0000, Arlie Capps wrote: > > * Michael Brailsford <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [2004-02-02 15:18:03 -0600]: > > > > > Having just read "Just For Fun", I take exception to GNU/Linux term > > > being applied to Linux. RMS didn't create Linux, he just wants GNU > > > to get some name recognition by piggy-backing on the work of Linus. > > > This is because Linus used GNU tools to create Linux. > > > > Linus Torvalds did indeed use GNU tools to create Linux, and you use > > GNU tools (just about) every time you use the Linux kernel. The only > > system I know of that uses the Linux kernel _without_ using GNU tools > > and utilities is Debian/NetBSD (there might be embedded OSs out there > > as well that don't use GNU software). > > So? Just because a tool is used doesn't mean that the name of the tool > has to be recognized. And the fact the GNU/Linux term didn't come from > some uninterested party makes it a bit shady. Agreed, for tools. But my point was that the GNU software is much more important than "just a tool". As well, Linus is just as interested as RMS when he uses the name "Linux" to name a kernel. > > > My point > > > is, so what? Just because I an HP laptop to create my projects, > > > do I need to call anything that I create HP/<whatever>? Or if I use > > > Stanley tools to build a house, do I need to include Stanley in the > > > name? > > > > Different. You can't use Linux without using GNU software (except for > > aforementioned rare exceptions). > > Ok, how about lumber. Or nails. Do you have to include the name of > Georgia-Pacific if you use their wood? Intuitively, the wood doesn't have enough of an independent character. It becomes part of the product. glibc and GNU Emacs are certainly not part of Linux, but they are important enough to be considered part of the OS. > > > I mean we all know RMS to be a lot on the fringe, but it sounds a > > > little despicable to call it GNU/Linux because he thinks he deserves > > > some credit. I guess no one has ever denied RMS's ego. > > > > The ego of RMS is indeed huge, but I'd say he, and the GNU project in > > general, deserve a lot of credit. > > Yeah, I agree. But that doesn't make it ok in my book to pull an end > around like this. > > > GNU/Linux often because I'm lazy, but it is correct to refer to the > > kernel as Linux, and the OS as GNU/Linux. > > Why? Is most of the OS made up of GNU tools? No, most of it made up of > tools that are not related to the FSF or GNU project except for their > use of an open set of tools from the FSF. Well, true, but lots of the very important parts are written by GNU. > -- > Michael > Anyway, the Fugals already made the important parts. -- Arlie Capps CS student at BYU
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