Ian Murdock: Linux is a Process, Not a Product

Posted by michael on Friday August 1, 2003 @07:07AM from the apt-get-install-clue dept.

securitas writes "Debian founder Ian Murdock says that Linux is a process, not a product. He also says that the product mentality 'misses the entire point of Linux and the open-source development model.' Because Linux is made up of many different components developed on independent timeframes, Murdock posits, to refer to Linux as a product is to strip it of its dynamism and closes its inherently open nature. Instead, he says that Linux should be viewed as a shared platform and infrastructure technology, and that business models should reflect that or else Linux risks becoming proprietary, closed and just another cookie-cutter piece of software."

4 of 284 comments (clear)

I can see Darl McBride typing now... by RevMike · 2003-08-01 07:09 · Score: 4, Funny

#kill -9 Linux
Hey SCO? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-08-01 07:16 · Score: 3, Funny

How do you sue a process?
Corporate Inroads? by JUSTONEMORELATTE · 2003-08-01 07:33 · Score: 4, Funny

He might be on to something here:
Linux should be viewed as a shared platform and infrastructure technology
"So you see, Boss, we're not buying a new product, we're buying a shared platform and infrastructure technology."
It's synergrrific!

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Re:Left field! by MuParadigm · 2003-08-01 08:09 · Score: 3, Funny

"If SCO really does have their way, are we going to run something called SCO-GNU/McLinux?"

No. It will be called: MS SCO Linux GT (Gnu Technology).