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DateThu, 7 Mar 1996 10:49:16 -0600 (CST)
Fromlilo <>
SubjectRe: Linux isn't an operating system
isn't there an advocacy newsgroup for gnu software?  this is pretty clearly
off-topic.  speaking from my own experience, it's very easy to get caught up
in an advocacy thread, even when that thread is clearly off-topic.  :) i
also suspect that it will continue to generate flames as long as the
originator keeps pursuing it here. ;)


lilo

On Wed, 6 Mar 1996, Richard Stallman wrote:

> I think I should explain the difference between "GNU software" and
> "the GNU operating system".  It would be inaccurate to say that a
> system such Slackware consists mainly of GNU software, but correct I
> believe to say it is mostly the same as the GNU system.
> 
> I started the GNU project in 1984 with the aim of making a complete
> free Unix-like operating system.  I wrote some parts myself--GCC,
> Emacs, GDB, and other smaller ones.  Other people wrote other
> components for the GNU project.  These programs are GNU software.
> 
> We also added to the GNU system some programs like X Windows and parts
> of BSD which were written by other projects.  These programs are not
> GNU software, but they are parts of the GNU system (and parts of other
> systems as well).  When Linux was written, the GNU system was almost
> complete, but lacking a kernel.  Putting the incomplete GNU system
> together with Linux realized my dream of a free operating system.
> 
> In principle, there's no reason why a system based on Linux has to be
> a variant GNU system, and perhaps some of them are not.  But as far as
> I know, most of them currently are.
> 
> To speak of "Linux Based MIT X Windows/GNU/BSD/MIT systems" would be
> correct.  But people may find it impractical.  The term "Linux-based
> GNU system" is also correct, and it is practical.
> 
> By using this term, we can help encourage people to work together
> instead of dividing themselves artificially into "Linux users" and
> "GNU users".  This solves an important practical problem.
> 
> 
> 


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