RMS Replies to "The Stallman Factor"

Ryan Amos writes "RMS has replied to the article "The Stallman Factor," as posted on Slashdot about a week ago. In specific, his replies deal with the University of Texas SIGLinux naming fiasco and Bitkeeper. As always with RMS, an interesting read."

Comments

Summary and prediction

[ctid]

A summary of this issue:

1. Stallman is invited to speak at a user group
   
2. He declines and explains why he declined, namely the issue of calling the OS Linux or GNU/Linux
   
3. He gets called to task by Joe Barr for his explanation, not for declining to speak at a particular location.
   
4. Stallman responds to Barr's article and cites the Bitkeeper situation as an example of the difference between people in our community who see things like him and people who are more pragmatic
   
   And a prediction:
   
   
5. Furore on Slashdot
   

I drew up this list because I know I'm going to get annoyed at the RMS-bashing that will surely follow. Many of the bashers won't even bother to read the article, because it is long and requires some effort to follow. I present this summary so that people understand that it is not just about RMS seeking credit. He makes a cogent and logical distinction between his point of view and (eg) Linus's point of view, and gives an example of why he thinks his own principles are important. You don't need to agree with him, but simply insulting him is unacceptable if our community is to continue to move forward.