Re: A GNU Distribution

[Brandon Invergo]

On Sat, 2012-04-07 at 18:20 -0400, Richard Stallman wrote:
> If we're going to release a system called GNU, it shouldn't be
> aimed only at hackers.  It should be for everyone, so we can
> say to everyone, "Please use the GNU system".
> 
> Working on a distro specifically for hackers can be a useful activity,
> especially if it enables making free software do that better.  But
> the goal of our 28 years of work is broader than that.

Understood. But then I suppose it returns to the question of what would
set a system released by GNU apart from, say, Trisquel? True, making
getting one's hands dirty in the code some sort of near requirement on
the user could be counterproductive. Granted that, it seems to me that
the philosophy behind the project would lead such a system to be in a
good position to at least encourage the user through its design to
realize that she not only has the ability but also the right to dig into
the code. 

So, going the route that I outlined in my previous email might be too
extreme and could use a lot of revision. Nonetheless, I think it would
be great if one could develop a system for everyone that not only offers
the full functionality set out as the practical goal of GNU but still
manages to really communicate through its design the philosophy behind
the project as well.


Brandon Invergo