Linus on kernel management style [LWN.net]

Linus on kernel management style

Posted Oct 7, 2004 16:02 UTC (Thu) by AJWM (subscriber, #15888)
In reply to: Linus on kernel management style by mmarq
Parent article: Linus on kernel management style

Interesting point -- and Linux (or rather, free/open source software) is the only entity that could get away with a slogan or "vision statement" like "World Domination". Think of the negative reaction to any commercial outfit that espoused that.

Linux can get away with it simply because there is no power to coerce, no underhanded bait'n'switch, no hiding crap under a polished cover. The only way(*) it can achieve "world domination" is by being the *best*, so good at what it does that no sane person would choose anything else. That latter is more like the vision statement that marketing come up with (and even then it's a bit strong). The phrase "world domination" appeals because it has an element of "ha ha, only serious" to it: nobody *really* takes it seriously, but wouldn't it be neat if...

(*)Most free software proponents would be horrified at the thought of achieving that domination by, say, getting laws passed that *mandate* only Linux, etc, be used -- although a few might like the idea.

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Linus on kernel management style

Posted Oct 7, 2004 22:45 UTC (Thu) by mmarq (guest, #2332) [Link]

" Linux (or rather, free/open source software) is the only entity that could get away with a slogan or "vision statement" like "World Domination". Think of the negative reaction to any commercial outfit that espoused that. "

When Linux was getting on fire, it was 'parodied' in magazines like 'BYTE' of 1997, of being something of fanatic religiuos guys... there wasen't any relevant commercial entity involved... even Red Hat wasent much more than a dream, i belive,...

Linus on kernel management style

Posted Oct 7, 2004 22:59 UTC (Thu) by mmarq (guest, #2332) [Link]

On better look...

" Most free software proponents would be horrified at the thought of achieving that domination by, say, getting laws passed that *mandate* only Linux, etc, be used -- although a few might like the idea. "

Come on... you are obviously distorting the reality here... what is that you are so affraid... or so against ?

'World Domination' happens to be quite naive, if you happen to have any clue of how is the world dominated... that is why it, maybe, could have a chance !...

And 'World Domination' wasent obviously sorted from a marketing department... never was intended for mass selling... Microsoft used 'Windows everywhere',... but they dont used best software tactics to get there.