Linux based GNU system--NOT!!!

Hubert Bahr (hab@ece.engr.ucf.edu)
Sat, 9 Mar 1996 15:06:24 -0500


I personally only see a disadvantage to trying to "unify" the Linux and GNU community
by using the "Linux based GNU system" as the generalized description of Linux. The primary disadvantage
is the RMS viewpoint as expressed here.

>People using almost the same collection of software have defined two
>different community identities--"GNU user" and "Linux user". And the
>people in one community tend not to make an effort to cooperate with
>those in the other. This suggests that the real root of the problem
>is in this social structure, not in the individuals concerned. To
>have more cooperation, we need to change the structure. We need to
>pay more conscious attention to our ties and common interests, and to
>the larger community that includes all of us.

>To effect a change, we have to do something different from what we
>have done in the past.

>I've proposed the term "Linux-based GNU system" as a way of doing
>this, because I think it is an accurate description. Other people
>have suggested the term "GNU-based Linux system". That too would
>promote cooperation, if people use it often. Both terms emphasize the
>relationship rather than implying separation and isolation.

Specifically "This suggests that the real root of the problem is in this social
structure, not in the individuals concerned. To have more cooperation, we
need to change the structure." and "Both terms emphasize the relationship
rather than implying separation and isolation."

As a long time GNU user (I bought my first tapes in 1988) and a
long time Minix then Linux(0.12) user I have been a member of both
communities for a long time. My personal observation is the lack of
cooperation has primarily existed on the GNU side as it encompasses
the FSF "ideology" that can get in the way of fully useful systems. And
if the above description encourages the cooperation of the GNU community
use it in that community, but do not insist on it for the total Linux community.

The Linux community has long recognized the value of the GNU
toolset and welcomes with open arms FSF use of the Linux kernel in it's
system. However the Linux community includes and embraces those who
use Linux with commercial software as well. The terms I use for the OS
are highly dependent on my audience. In discussions about multitasking
OSs it is Linux. In discussions about windowing systems it is X-11R6 over
Linux. In discussions about total environments it is Linux with Bash, Gcc
X-free-86, MapleVr3, LaTeX, BSD networking and Vi. A key term in all of
these descriptions is the OS kernel Linux which allows all the other elements
to use the hardware.

When I chose Linux over SCO, SunOS, USL, MACH, OSF-1, BSD,
Concurrent and Minix it was based on Xfree-86 and GCC compatibility. The cost
and Source code availability were a plus. Note that GNU products are
important to me but Linux in now more important because Hurd did not
make it when I needed it.

The key term that must not be under emphasized is Linux. It
the Kernel is the most distinguishing feature.

Hubert