News about Free Software, the GNU project and GNU applications

 Open source guru wants Linux renamed, Sep 27, 2002

(Webmaster's Note: I wonder what RMS's reaction to being called an 'open source evangelist' will be?)

The Free Software Foundation (FSF), headed up by open source evangelist Richard Stallman, has called for Linus Torvald's operating system to be renamed 'GNU/Linux', rather than just plain old 'Linux'.

GNU Bayonne 1.0 is part of the GNU Enterprise, an effort to develop a host of free enterprise-level software programs. GNU Bayonne runs on popular distributions of GNU/Linux and FreeBSD.

OfB: What are some of the advantages of Free Software for businesses?

RMS: Free software means you control what your computer does. Non-free software means someone else controls that, and to some extent controls you. Non-free software keeps users divided and individually helpless; free software empowers the users. All these reasons apply just as well to business users as to individuals.

For a business, there is the added advantage that support for a free program comes from a free market. Support for a proprietary program is usually a monopoly, since only the company that owns the program can change it either to fix a bug or add a feature. If you are willing to pay for support, you will usually get better support for your money when you use free software.

RL: What is your philosophy/attitude with regards to open source software in general, and linux in specific?

Goldberg: In my opinion, developing in an open environment enforces much higher standards on the quality of the code developed, compared to proprietary applications. Look at the amount of code review taking place. However, it also removes the direct accountability that forces people to work on more mundane aspects of a project. A fair amount of discipline is required to ensure that the core of a project is solid, and you are not just adding "neat" features.

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