Re: When can we expect a version 1.0 of the GNU Operating System?

[Bruno Félix Rezende Ribeiro]

Em Sat, 22 Nov 2014 18:49:42 +0100
address@hidden (Ludovic Courtès) escreveu:

> I also dislike of that tendency to replace “distro” by “operating
> system” (and that applies to pretty much all GNU/Linux and
> Linux-and-no-GNU distros out there.)  Hopefully, hackers and engineers
> understand the technical difference.

I also don't like it.  There is one case, however, where it's
justified: for the GNU project's distribution of the GNU operating
system.  Technically, we can do that, because the operating system
being distributed is developed by the GNU project (analogous to the
*BSD cases).  Strategically, non-tech people expect to find references
to "operating system" rather than "distribution.  


> At the same time, BSD means “Berkeley Software Distribution”, so the
> distinction between “operating system” and “distribution” has probably
> always been a bit fuzzy.

That's particularly the case because, practically, there is no
compelling reason to differentiate both when the organization
distributing it is the same as the organization developing it.

 
> Regardless, the question we should ask ourselves is what the goal of
> the GNU project is.  My understanding is that it is to deliver an
> operating system in the technical sense of BSD, rather than a mere
> collection of loosely-integrated packages.

That's for sure! +1


-- 
 ,= ,-_-. =.  Bruno Félix Rezende Ribeiro (oitofelix) [0x28D618AF]
((_/)o o(\_)) There is no system but GNU;
 `-'(. .)`-'  GNU Linux-Libre is one of its official kernels;
     \_/      All software must be free as in freedom;