On 20:45 23/06/05, Matthew Dempsky wrote:
Isn't this just a bit of an understatement? UIM, more often
than not,
Linus and RMS aren't even looking in the same general direction.
Fine, it's irrelevant either way though.
It is, isn't it?
As for OpenSolaris, well... If its source would
be made available using a free versioning system, stayed away from
including proprietary hardware drivers, and was licensed under
any of
the licenses the FSF considers free, then it *will* fit the
spirit of
the FSF's goals better than Linux.
That's a big if. Wouldn't it be better to just use a BSD kernel?
Debian has demonstrated this is feasible.
As you've noticed, it *is* feasible; it has proven to be feasible,
because efforts at coming up with a GNU/FreeBSD system is already
well
under way. A GNU/Linux system is also feasible; the fact that
hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of individuals and groups
already use a derivative of the base GNU/Linux system is more than
enough proof.
Personally, I don't want a GNU/*BSD system, or, at least, I'd still
like a purely GNU system. It's simple enough, really: I'm
selfish. I
don't want proprietary software developers to keep on doing what they
have for decades: taking BSD-licensed software and using it to
enhance
their own. I only want to share with those who'll share with me, as
well.