Linux for Suits: Grass Roots vs. Giant Roars (Linux Journal)
Even if CELF eventually does produce a working distro, it reminds us in the meantime that Linux is fundamentally a grass-roots phenomenon. It's bottom-up, not top-down. I don't mean to discredit IBM, HP, Novell, Oracle or any of the other BigCos that promote Linux, support its development and fly the penguin flag. I do mean to credit the little guys who not only develop Linux, but deploy it in the marketplace. Especially the ones who deliver and not merely promise."
Posted Dec 2, 2004 15:28 UTC (Thu)
by sepreece (guest, #19270)
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Instead of focusing on specifications and an integrated tree, CELF is now working on the asumption that bottom-up projects are the way to effect change in Linux. CELF is hosting an archive for CE-related patches and the organization is working to identify existing projects that address CE needs so that member efforts can be channeled through them, whether by supplying code, resources, or validation. Today, at least, such support is at the member level; the CELF itself is not providing funding or direct assistance to projects.
The Forum is also working to build awareness in the Linux community of the issues that are important for CE-product builders, in the hopes of providing enough experience and demand that the maintainers will pay more attention to CE needs.
[Disclaimer: I work for a CELF member company and am active in the Forum, but I these comments reflect my own opinions. I do not speak officially for the Form.]
The CELF never intended to do a "distribution" per se; the primary goal was always to move CE-relevant enhancements into the mainstream kernel. To that end, and recognizing that the approach taken in the Forum's first year of operation had had limited impact on the mainstream, the organization has recently refocused its efforts, in ways consistent with Doc's observation.Linux for Suits: Grass Roots vs. Giant Roars (Linux Journal)