Re: [libreplanet-discuss] What do you think about calling free systems as "GNU" systems (even if there is no GNU or Linux-libre)?

[Alexander Berntsen]

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I find myself unable to comprehend what the discussion is about. Free
systems are systems that preserve your four freedoms. GNU
distributions are distributions that use GNU software. Linux
distribution are distributions that use Linux. If there is no GNU or
Linux, then there isn't any GNU or Linux, and that's that. Why would
you call it GNU or Linux if it isn't?

In general, I find that being as specific as possible is useful. If
you are talking about Gentoo, say Gentoo, don't say GNU, Linux, or
GNU+Linux.


As an aside, the problem of "the GNU+Linux operating system" (or as
some say, which to me is nonsensical, GNU/Linux) is further
complicated by disagreements on what constitutes an operating system.
In school, and in all operating systems literature I have read as part
of courses, Linux is an operating system. Not GNU. Not GNU+Linux.
Linux is the operating system. But there's a big group of people who
think that "Linux by itself doesn't do anything, so it isn't an
operating system". However, this is in conflict with what academia
means when they say "an operating system". Both groups would however
likely agree that saying "Linux" to refer to Gentoo would be useless.
But so would saying GNU, when there's tonnes of GNU distributions.
Even GNU+Linux isn't good enough, since Gentoo can run with other
kernels than Linux (and with enough hacking, probably without GNU too).

So to sum up: Say Gentoo. Say Replicant. Say Android. They are all
free distributions, and referring to them as GNU is doing them and GNU
both a disservice.
- -- 
Alexander
alexander@plaimi.net
https://secure.plaimi.net/~alexander
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