Re: Which packages should I use?
On Wed, Jul 24, 2002 at 08:36:10PM +0200, Alfred M. Szmidt wrote:
> Simon Law <sfllaw@engmail.uwaterloo.ca> writes:
> > I like talking about GNU when I talk about GNU operating
> > systems. This way, there is no need to differentiate. However, if you
> > are referring specifically to the GNU system on the Linux kernel, then
> > GNU/Linux is not that difficult to say. It is as easy to say as
> > Microsoft Word, and even one syllable shorter than Microsoft Windows.
>
> There is only one GNU operating system, this is the operating system
> that will be based on GNU/Hurd and there already is one release of it
> (GNU 0.2). GNU/Linux is a GNU derived system. It is not GNU, it
> cannot be GNU. Calling all systems that are based on GNU spreads a
> lot of confusion.
I would prefer not to argue with you on naming issues, as you
are extremely critical of this topic. I appeal, however, to authority:
Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system
(18k characters) every day, without realizing it. Through a
peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used
today is more often known as ``Linux'', and many users are not
aware of the extent of its connection with the GNU Project.
There really is a Linux; it is a kernel, and these people are
using it. But you can't use a kernel by itself; a kernel is
useful only as part of a whole operating system. Linux is
normally used in a combination with the GNU operating system:
the system is basically GNU, with Linux functioning as the
kernel.
-- Richard Stallman
http://www.gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html
If you do not agree, that is fine by me. I will continue to
refer to a GNU/Linux system as a GNU system, because it merely
substitutes one small part of the GNU system with another.
Simon
P.S. Please do not CC me on list replies. If you do, I will be
forced to feed you to Branden.
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