Linus Torvalds on requiring the root password for mundane tasks. "So here's a plea: if you have anything to do with security in a distro, and think that my kids (replace 'my kids' with 'sales people on the road' if you think your main customers are businesses) need to have the root password to access some wireless network, or to be able to print out a paper, or to change the date-and-time settings, please just kill yourself now. The world will be a better place." Yes, it's harsh (deal with it, Finns don't beat around the bush), but he's completely and utterly right. While there's cases where it makes sense to disable certain settings (public terminals, for instance), it is utterly idiotic that regular home users have to type in their root password for such mundane tasks.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2006-05-23
Have to agree on that. His statement re Linux distros is (IMO) correct, but recommending suicide on the internets is stupid - you never know what nutcase/zealot/idiot/gossip might be listening.
Not sure that this has any impact on FOSS usage though. I mean, Steve Jobs was an epic screwball and people still bought (and continue to buy) tons of Apple shit. *whistles*
Member since:2008-06-24
Member since:2006-12-05
"Am I the only one who is getting tired with all of his rants and with the attention they get?"
Maybe not, but I enjoy them quite a bit myself... and he raises some good points.
"However, does that gives him the permission to call other people 'morons' and 'mentally diseased' ALL THE TIME."
Why not? He can say whatever the hell he wants. Whether you agree or disagree, fine, argue if you want. But there's no reason to bitch about his choice of language.
"Worse yet, asking them to kill themselves?"
I honestly doubt that he meant that in a 100% serious, non-joking way. If anyone is getting pissed because they really think he is being completely serious, maybe they need to quit jumping at conclusions or consider anger management. Chances are, you're getting mad over nothing.
Does anyone else feels the same way?
I only have seven more words to say: shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits. 
If that gets you mad, go smoke a bowl and relax.
Member since:2007-07-27
Anyway, I think we all can agree that Linux Torvalds has some attitude problems. I mean, why would you call OpenBSD developers for "masturbating monkeys" because they think security is important?
With a big ego such as Linus T, I doubt he would let anyone govern over his creation. I mean, if I created something, would I let someone else decide the name? Hell no.
There is no chance that "Linus T friend decided to call it Linux". With such a big ego, it was Linus T that decided to call it Linux.
As Stallman said: "I am not the one who calls GNU for Stallmanix" - implying that to name a creation after yourself requires some ego.
Member since:2006-03-05
You're not the only one. I'm getting just as tired, especially because he's setting an example and people seem to think that it's okay to behave like that everywhere.
It's what leads to posts like this:
http://stormyscorner.com/2012/02/its-scary-to-join-an-open-source-p...
Member since:2006-03-22
It's a pity, that due to his fame, and more importantly other people apparently blindly following and agreeing (or not blindly, but taking a considered view, and agreeing), and with news sites further highlighting his views, that he should be censored, and would not be allowed the same freedom as you or I.
Why is it, that I could say that, yet he can not?
Yes yes, fame, moral responsibility (and advocating shooting one's self is a bit extreme, but it's obviously meant in humour), however I don't think this is at all extreme, it is, as he said, a simple rant.
Member since:2006-09-01
So, the Xbox One disaster continues. Microsoft's policy for dealing with the used games market has reportedly leaked - and it's a clear and direct attack to destroy the used games market. Prices for used games will be set at the retail value of a new game, and retailers have to hook into Microsoft's computer systems and comply with Microsoft's terms and conditions.At an event earlier today, Microsoft unveiled the next Xbox - the third model, but confusingly named Xbox One. The big focus was TV, integrated Kinect, and all the other stuff we all expected to be forced down our throats. I think it took them 25 minutes to actually come to what should be the core of the story: gaming. Nothing groundbreaking in the gaming department, except for how Microsoft intends to handle the used games market and borrowing games from friends: pay up, buddy!
The day has finally come! Jolla has finally announced the launch device for its Sailfish operating system - and by god this is a looker. It's decidedly different from other phones out there, but it has good specifications and carries a relatively reasonably price tag - EUR 399, and it's up for pre-order today, shipping in the fourth quarter of this year.
Why does Google get so much credit in the technology industry? Why, despite the company's many obvious failings, do many geeks and enthusiasts still hold a somewhat positive view on the all-knowing technology giant? A specific talk at Google I/O this week provides the answer.
OSNews is a sponsor of this year's O'Reilly OSCON in Portland, Oregon, USA. A lucky OSNews reader will win a free three-day pass, including two tutorials days. To win the pass, post a comment on this story saying something about Open Source Software or OSCON. We'll pick a winner at random next week. If you don't have an OSNews account, you may email us your entry. Part of the conference is the 9th annual Open Source Awards, and today the 16th is the deadline for nominations. If you'd like to nominate an outstanding open source contributor, do it here. Read on for more information about OSCON. Update: The 20% discount code for OSNews readers is "OSN."
"Windows is indeed slower than other operating systems in many scenarios, and the gap is worsening." That's one way to start an insider explanation of why Windows' performance isn't up to snuff. Written by someone who actually contributes code to the Windows NT kernel, the comment on Hacker News, later deleted but reposted with permission on Marc Bevand's blog, paints a very dreary picture of the state of Windows development. The root issue? Think of how Linux is developed, and you'll know the answer.
This is one of those news items that's fun to write, fun to read, fun to comment on, and where no one will be able to say anything unkind. It's all just one big ball of awesome fluffiness. TuneTracker, the BeOS radio automation software, has just released something very special: TuneTracker System 5, the first version designed entirely and specifically for Haiku. In fact, it actually includes Haiku in the software package. Better yet, TuneTracker also unveiled several system-in-a-box products - which have Haiku and TuneTracker pre-installed.
Exactly twenty years ago, a document was published that played a huge role in establishing the web as we know it today. Twenty years later, and this simple and straightforward document is proof of an irrefutable fact: while closed technologies can change markets, open technologies can change the world.Oh multitasking. That staple of computing that got thrown out the window with many modern smartphones. We got some rudimentary thing in its place - but even as multitasking on phone and tablets improves, its user-visible side remains cumbersome. Windows 8 has a neat implementation, and now it's time Android follows in it footsteps.They're here! Whether that excites you or not remains to be seen, but the Galaxy S4, which will most likely become the best selling Android smartphone of the year by a huge margin, has been reviewed by all the major sites, and there's lots of interesting conclusions in there - although I think most of you will get the gist.
Member since:
2010-04-09
Am I the only one who is getting tired with all of his rants and with the attention they get?
He may be a smart person and he might be right about what he is ranting about. I'm also grateful for Linux and Git, and I kinda feel sorry for his daughter.
However, does that gives him the permission to call other people "morons" and "mentally diseased" ALL THE TIME. Worse yet, asking them to kill themselves?
I don't know but this is getting old, it causes too many issues in FOSS and people get negative and fight all the time.
Does anyone else feels the same way? *sigh* :-(
Edited 2012-02-29 00:07 UTC