Marcelo Tosatti on UnitedLinux (And More)

PDAJames writes "There's a new interview with Marcelo Tosatti online. He talks about what it's like to be kernel maintainer after nine months on the job and identifies the biggest problems with the kernel now. He also defends UnitedLinux against Mandrake's criticism. He would, since he works for Conectiva..."

Comments

Unfounded criticism

[RocketJeff]

"He also defends UnitedLinux against Mandrake's criticism. He would, since he works for Conectiva..."

Yes, I know it from the submitter (not an editor), but it's still a dumb comment.

Just because you're an employee doesn't mean that you can't have opinions and express them. If anything, I'd think an employee of a company dealing with Open Source software would be more likely to express dissatisfaction when warranted. I suppose PDAJames (the submitter) only says nice things about the company he works for?

Heh

[GigsVT]

There are some simple problems that non-technical users might have with Linux, such as installing new software, or finding certain files that they need in the system. What's the solution to that?

Why do people keep insisting on asking kernel maintainers questions that only related to user level apps? What's the point? That's like asking the Gaim team about the newest block device code.

Re:Heh

[freuddot]

Why do people keep insisting on asking kernel maintainers questions that only related to user level apps?

If you accept these two facts (er. assumptions):

a) The kernel is not the UI and as nothing to do with usability
b) The main thing keeping Linux out of the desktop market is that Joe Public is unable to USE it.

Then, you must accept that the main reason why Linux doesn't work on the desktop market has nothing to do with Linux itself, but rather is an usability problem.

If you don't accept that, then you must assume that kernel maintainers have something to do with Linux success, and by extension with the UI / UserLand.

To answer your question, how about people on /. are not ready to accept this ?

Re:Heh

[CarrionBird]

How about hardware drivers?

For example: To a convert who's used to one WDM driver working (to a degree) for 98, me, 2k, xp, WhatEver, It doesn't make much sense that his video driver must be recomplied for every version of every distro. Methinks people from the MacOs side would think the same thing.

It may not be a big deal for a developer type person, but someone who's just want's to try Linux out & isn't a programmer will have a hard time getting his 3d card going. So, a lot of guys walk away thinkng "Well Linux can only do 3d if you have X card with Y distro and stand on one foot, so I'll just stick with Lameos 99 which at least will support XYZ card.".

Even if you don't care about the unwashed masses, we're all affected by the lack of vendor support that results.

Re:Heh

[mark_lybarger]

guess what... windows cd-burning software also uses scsi emulation. that's what the atapi is all about on those cd-rom drives. it give software developers a common interface to program to.

which "upper level" are you referring to? to my understanding the (scsi) emulation layer is an upper level. this makes all the code common. as others have mentioned, most big distros will recognize your cdrw and load the scsi modules on boot. launch xcdroast and your in business.

Wise words from a young man

[red_dragon]

This bit really stood up, IMO:

It's just technology, so why do these clashes come up, do you think?
Because people are there. Egos show up.

And it could not be explained any more simply than that.

Marcelo

[MrHat]

I just try to be as technical as possible. It is very important to me... People do not use the right words some of the time. Starting a fight is really easy. But instead of saying, for example, "You are full of shit," you can just say, "I don't think you are really right." You have to use the right words.

Slashdot could learn a lot from this guy.

Re:Not allowed in the US?

[sofar]

Damn, I wish this would happen to Bill Gates, or maybe George Bush, or how about...

Attitute Problem?

[blancolioni]

He also defends UnitedLinux against Mandrake's criticism. He would, since he works for Conectiva...

Marcelo was polite and reasonable throughout the interview, and gave clear reasons for his position. What's with the bitchy editorialising?

Re:Attitude Problem?

[blancolioni]

Hello, AC, you big wuss you,

It's perfectly valid to make the point that he has an interest in promoting United Linux, since he does work for Conectiva.

There are ways and ways, my son. "He would, since he works for Conectiva" suggests that Marcelo is incapable of making a technical case for UnitedLinux. This is far from the truth. By all means point out the connection, but lets not dismiss anybody's opinions merely on the basis of who their employer is.

Re:Can't go to the U.S.?

[4of12]

He said he got turned back at the border once for having a B1 visa when he needed a B2, and now he can't go back. What's the deal here?

Uhm, you haven't been following the earlier posts which clearly explained how Marcelo was much wiser for his years in terms of dealing with people and personalities as well as being a technically adept kernel hacker and having the ability to think about a huge number of diverse kernel patches being applied to a production system used by millions worldwide.

Shoot, if the United States were to start letting people like Marcelo into the country there's no telling what kind of mess we'd be in!

Now, if he were slyly willing to work off the books in a meat packing plant or a demolition site for forty dollars a day he might have a better chance...