Linux Developers Asked To Distance Themselves From RMS

A supposed Linux kernel developer has called upon Linus Torvalds and other kernel developers to take action against Richard Stallman and the GNU/Linux naming controversy.

Liam Lindholm, who calls himself a "Linux Kernel Hacker" but no Git commits for his name or email can be located nor any other kernel activity within Google, has expressed discomfort with a presentation by Richard Stallman calling for Linux-based operating systems be called "Lignux" as an alternative to the rarely-used GNU/Linux name. The Lignux name itself isn't new and was Stallamn's original proposal for Linux operating systems comprised of GNU software atop the Linux kernel.

In citing this RMS presentation of "GNU's Not Linux: A Primer On Nomenclature", the polarized mailing list post notes, "Stallman suggests that we trash our existing name recognition and all common sense to adopt his academic linguistic exercise in masturbatory politics that represents the kernel's license and some poorly-built utilities that no one uses anymore."

Lindholm recommends, "We should not give in to the wailing demands of this zealotry. Mr. Stallman clearly needs a break from promoting an increasingly irrelevant software platform. Perhaps that means banning him from LKML, or asking Linus to suggest some vacation therapy for poor Mr. Stallman and his zealotry, or having the Linux Foundation issue a press release distancing themselves from RMS, GNU, and the Free Software Foundation."

Of course, it's a very one-sided, extreme view, but is sure to spark an interesting conversation in the forums about the continued GNU/Linux naming controversy. Those wanting to see the original mailing list post can see it on the kernel mailing list from this fellow "Linux kernel hacker."