GNU/Linux Naming Controversy

[Cabhan]

Um... I'm not sure if that's sarcasm or not, but I'm gonna reply:

GNU hardly got the shaft: anyone who knows anything about Linux's history knows about their contributions. Most (if not all) Linux developers and programmers know about their contributions (gcc = GNU Compiler Collection; glibc: GNU Standard C Library). Anyone who has GPL'd something knows about them.

My point is that they are hardly unknown as being a major part of Linux. As I've said before in another thread on this topic: anyone who cares to know about GNU probably already does, and people who don't aren't going to just because someone calls it GNU/Linux.

[ImNeat]

Um... I'm not sure if that's sarcasm or not, but I'm gonna reply:

No it wasn't sarcasm - just an attempt at an outsider’s point of view. Sure nearly everyone here knows the history of GNU/Linux and the importance of the developers.

My point is this: ask someone on the street if they've heard of Linux. I'm confident they'll say yes. Ask the same person if they've heard of GNU. I'm confident they'll say no. To the average person Linux is a familiar name whereas GNU is a foreign term.

Even me for example - I have been using GNU/Linux for over 6 months. I knew very little about GNU until this thread. For me "Linux" was just known but "GNU" had to be taught. I bet that's pretty common.

In that sense, which is based on personal perception and experience, I say GNU got the shaft. For that I can understand why RMS and others like him are upset with the way things unfolded. I would be too.

[daacosta]

I agree with all the views that have been posted about this important matter in this thread and look forward to learning more about the correct etymology of the name of the operating system that has a Linux kernel developed with GNU tools by Linus...

Many thanks!

[d38dm8nw81k1ng]

well, the reason HURD didn't get heavy development (according to stallman) is that they wanted to use the mach kernel instead, but had trouble acquiring it. personally, i think RMS has too big an ego to just let it be called linux. yes, linux uses GNU's tools, but it also uses X, apache etc. i know it isn't dependant on them, but it isn't dependant on the GNU either so to imply this is just wrong.

[DThor]

Actually, I agree the GNU team(and lest Stallman forget - it's a BIG team, not just Stallman) got the short end of the lollipop as far as street cred goes. How would Gates like it if people only talked about the apps and not the OS? Well, he wouldn't allow it. The average non-tech equates Linux with the desktop, the apps, the shell - just about everything except what it actually *is*. And non-techs are the people that are hearing about "Linux" in the media - they're the new users.

Since all these developers aren't making billions personally with this venture, what else is there but cred? It's unfortunate, IMHO. However, given that, there's two ways you can take it - the high road, and Stallman's approach.

DT

[daacosta]

I agree with all the views that have been posted about this important matter in this thread and look forward to learning more about the correct etymology of the name of the operating system that has a Linux kernel developed with GNU tools by Linus and further improved with other software such as Apache, and X...

Happy now?