this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2023
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Interesting perspective by Drew DeVault on where the FSF fits in the current landscape of FOSS and what it needs to do to stay relevant.

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[–] pingveno@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago (5 children)

I would love to see the "but it's GNU/Linux!" shouts ended. In days of yore there was a case that you really were using the Linux kernel with a predominantly GNU user land, true. But now other projects like browsers, desktop environments, and office suites make up a much greater share of the code in a given system and the GNU portions can usually be swapped out. Insisting that GNU be put on a pedestal does a disservice to the rest of the ecosystem. Also, GNU/Linux just sounds clumsy, unlike Linux. Something that rolls off the tongue is its own virtue.

[–] Zach777@fosstodon.org 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@pingveno @KelsonV Honestly I think that is just an old joke at this point lol.

[–] pingveno@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

For the most part yes, but there are still adherents to "GNU/Linux" that will talk your ear off if you give them the air and an excuse.

[–] beyond@linkage.ds8.zone 5 points 1 year ago

Insisting that GNU be put on a pedestal does a disservice to the rest of the ecosystem.

Interestingly, this is the exact same argument I make against putting Linux on a pedestal.

[–] ozamidas@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago

While it does sound clumsy, it also doesnt sound like a brand, and i appreciate that.

The part that i appreciate the most about free software is its community. I think GNU/Linux highlights that more than pronouncing the name of a single project.

[–] m532@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Just GNU. GNU is the OS. They don't call android Android/Linux either.

[–] kilgore_trout@feddit.it 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This does not concern at all the posted article.

[–] pingveno@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

From the article:

Hammering on about “GNU/Linux” nomenclature

[–] jiangshanghan@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 year ago

This is a bit of an exaggeration

[–] pollocks@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Title: FSF is dying

Article: FSF is too niche

[–] fluffery@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

Meant to get clicks, I personally think they're trying too hard

[–] Sagar@sopuli.xyz 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's a bad article. RMS is perfect in his thinking even today.

[–] salarua@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

it's not about his thinking, it's about his public image and how it reflects on the FSF. he's controversial, and a controversial leader is exactly not what the FSF needs

[–] Sagar@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Media prints what it is paid to print.

If truth is controversial, be it. We're with RMS.

[–] salarua@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

i'm not saying RMS is wrong at all. all i'm saying is that if the FSF wants to reach more people, a certain amount of pragmatism is required. RMS, his ideology aside, has a tarnished reputation. the FSF should keep his ideals of course, but have a new champion, one who more people can identify with and who doesn't have all the baggage that RMS has

[–] Sagar@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 year ago

Baggage, lol! Yes, I agree with you that RMS is less pragmatic. He requires things to be just as they would ideally be for the transition.

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