Bruno Félix Rezende Ribeiro <oitofe...@gnu.org> writes: > Em Mon, 05 Jan 2015 09:40:48 -0500 > Felipe López <felipe.lo...@openmailbox.org> escreveu: > >> I still think that calling the Guix distro "GNU" would have been >> better, and I don't see how calling it "Guixotic - the reference >> distribution of GNU" is any different from calling it "GNU", since >> saying "the reference distro" implies the same issues RMS and others >> saw in calling the distro "GNU". > > I agree. In fact calling it "GNU's reference distribution" could even > worsen the problems seen by RMS, because of the explicit goal > attributed to the distribution of being used as a canonical template. > To me the purpose of the GNU project is more ethical and symbolic than > technical: to provide the mythical --- entirely free --- GNU system > and not necessarily to make a distribution for technical reference. > IMHO, the GNU project is missing the point. > > Needless to say, I'll continue to call it simply "GNU". I invite > everyone else to do the same. Given that the GNU+Linux operating > system has gotten the wrong name "Linux" by habit and popularity, > maybe we could make "Guixotic" (or whatever) get the right name "GNU" > by a similar practice.
When "GNU" refers exactly to that partially intangible system you describe, which is found not only in concrete distributions but also in Apple OS X and Android, then we need a separate name to refer to this concrete distribution. There seems to be agreement on that this name will be de-emphasized --used as kind of a technical code name only-- in contrast to all the "brand" names such as Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, etc.. So we will say that we use GNU, and that it's Guixotic will be a technical detail. There's still the danger that, since most GNU/Linux discussion happens in technically savvy circles, people will most often use this technical code name, so it will look like a brand name to onlookers of such discussions. I think it's our responsibility to be careful about this danger and clarify as often as needed, but I don't see us getting around giving *some* concrete name, that isn't "GNU", to the distribution. Hope this perspective helps. :-) Taylan
