Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2000 00:03:23 -0500 From: Technical Information <tech_info@threespace.com> To: FreeBSD Chat <chat@freebsd.org> Subject: Re: What Linus said about FreeBSD Message-ID: <4.2.2.20000207233110.0337dd70@mail.threespace.com> In-Reply-To: <Pine.BSF.4.21.0002080148330.38853-100000@dogma.freebsd-uk. eu.org> References: <4.2.2.20000207163850.00cf03c0@localhost>
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I don't think that Torvalds' comments necessarily hit the nail on the head, but I don't think that he exactly pulled them out of his butt either. The development model and community of Linux have tremendous and easily identifiable advantages in the development process. And as with anything, there are disadvantages too. All those eyes and hands reviewing and adding to the codebase make for some of the most rapid, breakneck development the software world has ever seen. It also creates a high amount of noise at times and takes some work to get all the pistons firing at once. That's not necessarily the case with a team like the Core Group, but it may keep some would-be developers from feeling like part of the "club." I often wonder whether or not Torvalds himself ever tried to contribute to the Project (or any other BSD for that matter). If not, I can't really think that his opinion is based on anything but distant observation and hearsay rather than empirical events. Like you, I've had no problems in "fitting in" with the FreeBSD group. (Then again, maybe I'm a more likable guy than Torvalds. ;-) ) But the growth of Linux, regardless of what percentage luck and what percentage of the-time-has-come, has proven to be beneficial to the free/open source community at large. As they say, a high tide causes all ships to rise. I heard of FreeBSD largely because of my investigation into Linux, and I think there are others out there on the list who also had similar experiences. The development model was never a factor for me personally because I had no desire to write code. As far as I'm concerned, if Greenman and Hubbard et al say that it's good enough for them, then by jove it's good enough for me. The simple point is that no one tool works for all jobs. Linux has it's place, the BSDs have their place, Windows has it's place, and so on. Anyone that claims that his tool is the best for everything is either a liar or doesn't really understand his tool very well. (No innuendo was intended here either, but I guess it applies nonetheless.) If FreeBSD is "progressing" too fast for you, move to OpenBSD (or stop upgrading which would probably be simpler). If Linux doesn't run all the hot games you want, install Windows. You make your bed and then lie in it. But given the number of messges to this list that are written with Outlook Express, most people probably already know this. Either way, Linus Torvalds is just one man. He's not the Messiah. But if I really try to imagine all the pressure that goes with being in his position, a position in which every statement of opinion is taken as policy, I have to say that I don't think he's doing such a bad job. Like I said, we all stand to benefit here, so let's all stay focused on the goals. K.-- At 09:01 PM 2/7/00 , you wrote: >I think the BSD community is small and closed, but friendly and >welcoming. However, i must say I have noticed that BSD users tend to >be far more traditional and less interested in change. I just had >someone send me a private email about FreeBSD vs OpenBSD, and how >FreeBSD was changing far too fast and radically, and how much of a >mistake BSD's development model was. I also found out this gentleman >never ran X, never *wants* to, thinks X is for beginners, thinks BSD >is only for fileserving, and measures programs in CPU cycles and >keystrokes. > >I realize BSD, unlike Linux, does not treat users like idiots nor >does it try to find the lowest common denominator. But that allows >power users to have more control over their installation and OS. >functions. Also, i haven't seen any installation programs since 3.2, >so i don't know if they have become more user friendly. But i think >overall that is one lesson we can learn. If anything good came out of >the Windows monopoly it was this: computers CAN be used by the average >person, and then they can grow in knowledge over time. BSD requires >more basic skills than Linux to get started, and that isn't so bad. >But BSD cannot go on calling itself the 'Power to Serve' OS. That's >not what a lot of people want. That's not what Linux users want. >They want a solid OS that encourages productivity. > >-=> jm <=- > >"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long, and you have >burned so very, very brightly." > > > >To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org >with "unsubscribe freebsd-chat" in the body of the message To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-chat" in the body of the message
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