Torvalds: Multiple Distributions "Absolutely Required"
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 4th Feb 2009 14:11 UTC
Linux With Linux traditionally coming in many, many flavours, a common call among some Linux fans - but mostly among people who actually do not use Linux - is to standardise all the various distributions, and work from a single "one-distribution-to-rule-them-all". In a recent interview, Linus Tovalds discarded the idea, stating that he thinks "it's something absolutely required!"
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jabbotts
Member since:
2007-09-06

My understanding is that BSDs differ by kernel where Linux distros differ by user space. The BSDs may draw from the same package library but the kernels can be very different.

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DHofmann Member since:
2005-08-19

It's kind of ironic that he wants multiple distributions, but "people who argue for splitting desktop kernels from server kernels are total morons, and only show that they don't know what the hell they are talking about." http://kerneltrap.org/node/14019

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Lunitik Member since:
2005-08-07

Well, there are certainly different compile options that would benefit a desktop vs a server... that is perfectly fine, because the usage of a desktop vs a server is entirely different...

The whole is still the same codebase though, so its sort of irrelevant what you choose to compile into your kernel.

Again, one size doesn't fit all, so choices are provided.

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Delgarde Member since:
2008-08-19

It's kind of ironic that he wants multiple distributions, but "people who argue for splitting desktop kernels from server kernels are total morons, and only show that they don't know what the hell they are talking about." http://kerneltrap.org/node/14019


Not really. The post you refer to simply notes that at a kernel level, there's little difference between server and desktop, and thus no real benefit in splitting the kernel into server and desktop branches.

In contrast, this article is about the layers where meaningful differences *do* exist - whether a distro is optimised for administering servers, or if it's a Gnome-based or KDE-based desktop, or something else. Quite different subjects, and no irony at all.

Reply Parent Score: 2