Re: [SLUG] Is Linus killing Linux?

[Dean Hamstead <deanh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> So what's the solution? Of course it's to bring critical functionality
> in house, even if that means you duplicate work that is being done
> externally. This is what happened with Nvidia, for example, producing
> inhouse kernel modules for driver support. If you can't afford to do
> this, you are possibly screwed, and it doesn't matter whether you are
> developing for Linux or Windows. I don't see where there's a substantial
> criticism of linux in this point. You can also easily be USCWAP
> developing for Windows.

The great thing about linux is if you do make a driver (or some form of 
kernel addition), once its in you dont have to maintain it (or so i 
hear). So grab the latest devel kernel, write a driver well and submit 
it. Reiser managed to do it, surely something like a NIC or Video Card 
would be substantially less difficult (no flames, just an example).

Nvidia is a good example i think, although i know 3com released GPL
drivers which were pretty poor as far as duplication (From AC's fingers 
himself). I recall Rasterman listing reasons why nvidia chooses closed 
modules. If you care, we have archives ;)

> > the problem here is that linus is a "central point of failure" - hes
> > good - but as anyone knwos -a  central point of failure is bad.
> > corporations at least have lots of people and thus no central point.
> > they can re-assign mantinence when people go on holidays, its more
> > dependable for them. thats they point the article was making. they have
> > a very good point.
>
>
> There are "central points of failure" in every company I've ever worked
> for. But you make it sound like if Linus went under a bus tomorrow
> (heaven forbid) that would be the end of Linux. I don't even think it
> would be a terribly large hiccup. There'd be some reshuffling, but there
> also would be if key people were lost in any commercial enterprise. In
> fact I think Linux would be less vulnerable (in terms of work getting
> done) to a failure like this than many private companies would be.  Alan
> Cox would presumably fill Linus shoes as an interim measure immediately,
> and work would continue. There are "lots of people" working on linux as
> well, and a bit of reshuffling wouldn't be such a big problem.

Gates is to MS as Linus is to Linux, (although linus hasnt sworn to 
destroy his competitors). If Gates dies MS will go on, if (when) Linus
dies (and i really hope he doesnt) then i think the kernel devel people
would suffle around and get on with it. Linux is a kernel yes, but 
theres more to a linux box than the kernel, many interlocking projects 
run by many different teams.

Unfortunately an OS is now *everything* you see at boot time (thanks MS)
to the media and all the plebs out their anyway.

Comparing linux to competivite business is silly, since its written by 
people who love it. No doubt other OS developers do also, but linux is 
for the people, by the people. Companies can market and sell it sure, 
but at the end of the day its reason for existance is Linus's desire for 
an OS. If it isnt a feasible business model who cares? If it cant play 
with the big boys or whatever... who cares? I know i dont.

These little raves which seem to get mass media prove nothing and 
achieve nothing.

Linux's "fast movement" is simply because patches are available, authors 
put up software "works for me, YMMV". Commercial vendors will sit on 
their current product and make money out of it (whilst developing) then 
release their next product when the graphs start to slump.

dont "reply to all please" one copy from to:slug is enough for me to read

Dean