Didn't once, does now [LWN.net]

Didn't once, does now

Posted Oct 2, 2005 2:46 UTC (Sun) by huffd (guest, #10382)
In reply to: Didn't once, does now by maney
Parent article: Mercurial loses a developer

From the Panglossian perspective, it has resulted in a truly great example of the problems that can arise when you're at the mercy of an unethical proprietary software vendor, no?

Well, yes of course but hindsight shows us there might have been a better incentive than just optimistically helping a friend. Consider this, had public opinion played out a little differently, anyone who worked on the kernel might have had to cough up the money for a license, had the outcry of wrong doing not hit a fever pitch. Linus could have said, fine, it's a great product we aren't changing, we'll pay.

Which may have been the plan all along.

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Didn't once, does now

Posted Oct 2, 2005 16:13 UTC (Sun) by jstAusr (guest, #27224) [Link]

> Which may have been the plan all along.

Linus has stated that he doesn't like getting involved in political issues. Turning that into a conspiracy is just ludicrous. I think its just a matter of him thinking that spending time with such efforts adds nothing to producing a proper kernel. You seem to forget that he layed the foundations for git within days after the Bitkeeper problem.

RMS has stated that he doesn't like dealing with political issues but that they are important and someone needs to do it. The truth of the need for his efforts seems to be proved over and over by the likes of SCO, Bitmover and many others.

Linus may not see eye to eye with the goals that RMS has, but I do hope that he will see that it is an effort that just can't be avoided and be glad that RMS is doing it.