Remove the GNU C library and then report how much of that software runs. [LWN.net]

Remove the GNU C library and then report how much of that software runs.

Posted Jun 1, 2011 14:45 UTC (Wed) by vonbrand (subscriber, #4458)
In reply to: Remove the GNU C library and then report how much of that software runs. by Zack
Parent article: How much GNU is there in GNU/Linux?

I guess the BSD folks will be thilled to hear that they did build the GNU system too (all free, license is right, so it's GNU, right?)...

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Remove the GNU C library and then report how much of that software runs.

Posted Jun 1, 2011 15:23 UTC (Wed) by Zack (guest, #37335) [Link]

>I guess the BSD folks will be thilled to hear that they did build the GNU system too

They should be! If they managed to build a completely free operating system succesfully they would have no reason not to be thrilled at the completion or success of such a monumental task.

I don't think they will call it GNU though. The BSD folks also go a long way back when they set out to write a free operating system. But the set of values they wanted to achieve are different than those of the GNU project.
There is no reason, historically or otherwise, to call their operating systems "GNU", although I think most of the various forks do retain the name "BSD" in their project name.

That said, I'm sure I run various bits and pieces of BSD software on my GNU/Linux system, since, as you write, "[the] license is right."

Remove the GNU C library and then report how much of that software runs.

Posted Jun 3, 2011 14:35 UTC (Fri) by vonbrand (subscriber, #4458) [Link]

Exactly. The BSD folks won't be thrilled because they don't agree with the FSF stance.

I for one would like it better if people just agreed on thanking for (software) gifts, wherever they come from (be it public domain, TeX, X, BSD, GNU, ...), and take their political views elsewhere. In particular, please don't insist on slapping your campaign flyer on everything that comes your way.