Stephen Fry Helps GNU Celebrate 25th Birthday

Virgil Tibbs writes "The GNU operating system is turning 25 this year, and the Free Software Foundation has kicked off its month-long celebration of the anniversary by releasing 'Happy Birthday to GNU,' a short film featuring the English humorist, actor, novelist and filmmaker Stephen Fry. In the five-minute film, Fry compares the free software operating system to 'good science' and contrasts it with the 'kind of tyranny' imposed by the proprietary software produced by companies like Microsoft and Apple that it replaces. He encourages people to use free GNU/Linux distributions like gNewSense and free software generally, for freedom's sake."

Comments

No, the GPL is fine for what it is

[pem]

But Stallman does seem to think he's directly responsible for any and all software which is released under the license. 25 years old my a**.

Re:No, the GPL is fine for what it is

[Virgil Tibbs]

The Podcast, Freedom Socks, has released an interview with Matt Lee, FSF campaigns manager, on the subject of the Stephen Fry video.
It's interesting, the hosts put some interesting questions to him about the video.

Is HURD out yet?

[filesiteguy]

I figure, if we're celebrating a 25th anniversary of the GNU OS, then I should've seen an announcement for HURD.

Am I wrong?

GNU is not an OS

[markdavis]

>"The GNU operating system is turning 25 this year" Hate to break it to you, but "GNU" is not an operating system. You can make one with lots of GNU tools and after many years with no kernel, you could even use HURD. But the 25 years is a celebration of a PROJECT, not an OS. If they had a compelling kernel all those years ago, then it is likely Linux would never have existed. In any case, I am very glad GNU exists! Happy birthday!

Re:What OS now?

[mea37]

Ah, I see I've drawn a "-1 don't agree with you" moderation. How unexpected.

... and Apple that it replaces.

[psergiu]

Can someone tell me what GNU free software replaces what Apple proprietary software ? Thinking at the Apple software catalog i don't seem to find too many GNU alternatives.

Thanks.

Re:Sigh, feeding the trolls

[meringuoid]

the fact that GNU tools are an essential part of linux, BSD, OS-X.

I thought BSD generally used their own Unix tools? GNU's not Unix, after all. And I'm sure you must have seen more than one licence flamewar in your time here over whether the BSD or GPL licence better preserves freedom.

Re:Stephen Fry...

[Yer Mum]

Possibly, but you can't see it.

Or so I've read; I can't see it either, I'm on my work computer and Ogg's a no go.

I could see it at home but I'd have to install the Ogg codec. The question is... am I really bothered?

If the FSF want people to come to them, they're going to have to at least make some attempt at bringing their message to the people they want to convince.

Re:Sigh, feeding the trolls

[Angostura]

I suppose is most accurate to say that GNU OS in an operating system that has been in the process of being written for 25 years and may be released in usable form some time in the next 25.

Re:gNewSense makes no sense

[Bragador]

Hello, thanks for trolling.

Anyway, the FSF doesn't order us to do anything. They just say "If you want to be free to do what you want, this is the path to follow. Otherwise, someone will have control over things you own and that could eventually stop you from doing stuff like copying your movies, music and what not."

Re:Right, so you wish to claim linux is 25 this ye

[Virgil Tibbs]

The Podcast, Freedom Socks, has released an interview with Matt Lee, FSF campaigns manager, on the subject of the Stephen Fry video.
It's interesting, the hosts put some interesting questions to him about the video.

Re:No better patron and spokesman

[Virgil Tibbs]

The Podcast, Freedom Socks, has released an interview with Matt Lee, FSF campaigns manager, on the subject of the Stephen Fry video.
It's interesting, the hosts put some interesting questions to him about the video.