Thanks for clarifying those points. I know my knowledge of the history of Linux and the associated GNU-ness is lacking.

I should have learned from my experience with the Mac/Linux comment on an earlier show to just shut up when I don’t know what I’m talking about, but apparently I didn’t. I have to tell Kelly to stop asking me things that I don’t know anything about :)

I have to admit that I find the whole GNU/GPL thing kind of confusing, but you’re points help out a lot.

I’m also going to post your comment in the ‘Correct Jon’ board on the show forums (link on right side of main blog page).

Thanks again!

Jon

(1) Linus did not make Minix. Minix was his original model for Linux, but he was not it’s creator. It was written by Andrew S. Tanenbaum for educational purposes, essentially so that he could use it as an illustration for his book “Operating Systems: Design and Implementation” (which Linux owned).

(2) GPL stands for “General Public License” (not “GNU Public License”). It is the GNU GPL.

(3) “GNU” in “GNU/Linux” does not refer to the license it is released under. It refers to the fact that “Linux” is only a kernel, and as RMS (reasonably) argues, a kernel is not a complete operating system.

Linus used the developing GNU system (RMS’s attempt to create a free operating system) - the GCC compiler, the standard system utilites, etc - along with HIS kernel to make a complete operating system. The kernel was essentially the missing piece of the OS puzzle.

The name “GNU/Linux” is meant to show respect where it is due - both the the kernel development crowd (including Linus and others) and the GNU people who gave us nearly everything else.

So, yes, using the name “GNU/Linux” may be a little tedious for everyday use, but it is respectful for use in formal situations (like the decription and name of the Debian project).

Thanks for the kind words.

The easiest way by far is to subscribe to the show’s RSS feed with some podcatching software like iPodder. There are RSS link buttons on the right side of the blog. Subscribing will ensure that you get ALL the shows - past, present, and future.

If that’s not something you want to do, then you can click here.

There’s no archive per se, but clicking on that link will display only the show blog entries that contain podcasts, or podcast related notes. That’s about as narrowed down as I can get it. Each blog entry contains a direct link to the show named LISTEN HERE.

Thanks again!

Jon

I must agree with the deletion though. I mean, Kelly Pengiun Girl rocks, no doubt - but you have to be pretty damned famous to get your own page on Wikipedia.

I’ll tell her though, she’ll like the idea :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Penguin_Girl