Here is an interview with Richard Stallman about a range of free software topics including GPLv3 and comment on the Microsoft patent issue. Stallman has a go at Linus Torvalds even suggesting that if people want to keep their freedom they better not follow Torvalds. From the interview: "The fact that Torvalds says "open source" instead of "free software" shows where he is coming from. I wrote the GNU GPL to defend freedom for all users of all versions of a program. I developed version 3 to do that job better and protect against new threats. Torvalds says he rejects this goal; that's probably why he doesn't appreciate GPL version 3. I respect his right to express his views, even though I think they are foolish. However, if you don't want to lose your freedom, you had better not follow him."
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Member since:2007-07-13
> Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but DOS shipped on the first batch of IBM 5150 PC's in 1981. It was written by MS then, too. Gates had already been of the mindset that software should be a commercial product which customers pay to use.
GNU was never formed to oppose Microsoft. IIRC, Stallman started it because a company (which I shall not name) donated his lab a printer but later refused to give him source code to a printer driver so that Stallman could repair it himself. The company then gave source to one of his colleagues with the proviso that that colleague not share it with Stallman. Stallman realised then that something was needed to protect all users from those who could remove support at a whim.
Member since:2007-03-20
The company was Xerox.
http://sharealike.org/20_Berkeley_Tech_L_J_443.pdf
Why would you go out of your way to omit that?
Member since:2006-09-27
If Mr. Stallman goes out of his way to call ordinary household objects by their true names, e.g. facial tissues instead of Kleenex, cotton-tipped sanitary swabs instead of Q-tips, etc.
I understand, and to a degree can sympathize with his cause, but he must realize that people are not deliberately throwing his philosophy in his face when they call GNU/Linux "Linux" - it's simply easier to say, and everyone knows what you're talking about, to the degree they understand or care. As much as it apparently makes his blood boil, there *are* people out there, myself included, that consider functionality paramount, with philosophical ramifications secondary. Plus, he should have picked a less awkward-sounding name than GaNoo if he wanted people to use it in their daily language. Linux just rolls off the tongue nicer than GaNooLinux. Linux may be just a kernel, but its name has become synonymous with everything that sits atop it as well.
Edited 2007-09-12 08:06
Member since:2006-03-12
Member since:2006-09-27
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Member since:
2006-09-27
Its a bit of a stretch, esp considering that in 1983 when GNU started Microsoft didn't even release DOS till 1986.
Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but DOS shipped on the first batch of IBM 5150 PC's in 1981. It was written by MS then, too. Gates had already been of the mindset that software should be a commercial product which customers pay to use.