undefined | Better HN

0 pointsmikegerwitz9y ago0 comments

> The fact that the GNU project has implemented a lot of the tools used in most distribution does not mean is has the right to lay claim to the title anymore than the Apache Foundation or Python Software Foundation.

GNU is a fully free Unix replacement---an operating system; it is more than a bunch of GNU software:

https://gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html

0 comments

Delmania9y ago

This is where there is a division between the way the FSF presents itself, and the way the software is used. Without a kernel, the claims that GNU is a replacement for UNIX is disingenuous. GNU Hurd is not production ready. It is a series of tools, some of where adhere (mostly) to the POSIX standard, and some of which provide other functionality.

If we're going to start naming systems based on the tools, then I use a ZSH/MS/VIM/PSF/Linux distro. There are other providers than GNU.

mikegerwitzOP9y ago

> Without a kernel, the claims that GNU is a replacement for UNIX is disingenuous.

GNU/Linux has a kernel---Linux. It forms a fully free operating system.

No free replacement for Unix existed until GNU provided one---that involves much more than just writing utilities. I encourage you to read about the history of the project to understand why:

Summary: https://gnu.org/gnu/thegnuproject.html

More detailed: https://gnu.org/gnu/thegnuproject.html

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse