"...It is a failure of the GNU project and of the free software movement that there is so much emphasis on monolithic distributions and binary package distributions. It is a failure of the GNU project and the free software movement that one so often encounters distros that offer to not install source trees and even offer to not install development environments. These developments systematically and by design deprive users of incentive to actually *exercise* their software freedom as individuals. These developments encourage a *de facto* (even if not licensing-based) ceding of software freedom to distribution projects like Debian or any of the commercial distros [...]
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Balzac
16 years 11 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago
Thomas Lord's Outburst
I wonder if Mr. Lord is aware that the lack of adherence to standards is due in part to people like himself who like to make a stink rather than a calmly spoken proposal.
Social issues are at the root of software incompatibility and lack of standardization.
Another thing he neglected to mention - freedom. Regardless of the lack of uniformity of all the parts of GNU/Linux, at least it is available under a license which self-respecting people can embrace.
If the GNU Project is going to be rebooted, it won't be done by a temperamental outburst such as this one.
Many problems are obvious to many people, but they won't agree on a solution unless a framework for cooperation is generally accepted.
can.axis
16 years 11 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago
Off-list discussion
There's an interesting debate between RMS and Mr. Lord...
- RMS: http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2008-07/msg00647.html
- Mr. Lord: http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2008-07/msg00648.html
Balzac
16 years 11 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago
Lord was obnoxious.
Now I don't think it will be easy for others to assimilate his ideas.
More often than not, there are many ways to implement functionality, and more than one qualified person to do it.
I wouldn't want his help if it began with a public scolding for not living up to his expectations.
aboutblank
16 years 11 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago
When people scold
When people scold, it's usually because they believe that the fault could be in better state than its current and that a correctly worded reprove would convince people to make things better. I believe that Mr Lord intended to see some positive action out of his rant as opposed to ranting for the sake of nagging criticism.
Balzac
16 years 11 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago
We'll see if he follows through.
I hope he's willing to make a sustained effort after using such discouraging language. I won't hold my breath though.