Torvalds Rejects One-Size-Fits-All Linux

Barence writes "Linus Torvalds has rejected the argument that Linux developers should pool their resources behind a single distribution. 'I think multiple distributions aren't just a good thing, I think it's something absolutely required. We have hundreds of distros, and a lot of them are really for niche markets. And you need that — simply because different markets simply have different requirements, and no single distro will take care of them all.' The calls from the Linux community have been growing due to Linux's failure to show significant market share growth."

Comments

Re:No its just that :

[FlyingBishop]

There's no such thing as 'one size fits all.'

I just put Ubuntu on a ~7 year old laptop. Gnome is too much for the thing, much less Compiz. I ripped out most of the default stuff and replaced it with my custom Fluxbox configuration, Emacs, and Epiphany in place of the increasingly bloated Firefox.

Not to mention the modern ultracheap, ultralight ARM machines we will be seeing soon. One size fits all assumes infinite computing resources. Efficiency is a big deal.

Linus is absolutely right

[tbannist]

Multiple distributions are a necessary part of the Open Source ecosystem. Competition keeps the ecosystem healthy, selective pressures keep Linux evolving. Windows is built according to the direction of the Microsoft Holy Profits.

Linux grows according to what the people developing need and want. There will always be the question of which matches more closely what the average user wants and needs, but much of the strength of Linux comes from the existence of multiple distributions.