Revolution OS

The Evolution of Open Source and Linux

• The open information and technology exchange revolution began in the 1980s with the Free Software Movement, the GNU project, and is now associated with Linux and the Open Source Movement.
• Linux, a computer operating system developed by hundreds of programmers collaborating on the internet, is challenging Microsoft Windows NT and is popular for its speed with 12 million users.
• The creator of the Linux kernel, Linus Torvalds, explains that an operating system's purpose is to help programs run, and it only acts when programs request resources or connections.
• Open Source allows people to collaborate on software without intellectual property issues, contracts, or lawyers, sacrificing some intellectual property rights for global software use.
• Richard Stallman is the founding father of the Free Software Movement, creating the legal, philosophical, and technological foundation for the movement and influencing the evolution of Linux and Open Source.
• Stallman joined the M.I.T. Artificial Intelligence Lab in 1971, contributing to the development of an operating system and embracing the playful spirit of hackers.
• The introduction of passwords at M.I.T. led Stallman and other hackers to subversive acts, like decoding passwords and encouraging others to use simple passwords, leading to a fifth of users adopting this approach.
• Open Source began with the start of computers, but in the late 70s and early 80s, software started closing up, with Microsoft being a pioneer of the proprietary software model.
• The HOMEBREW COMPUTER CLUB, formed in the mid-1970s in Silicon Valley, played a role in the evolution of software distribution, with Bill Gates advocating for proprietary software in the club's newsletter in 1976.

Linux and GNU: The Story of Collaboration

• Linus Torvalds used a monolithic approach to develop the Linux kernel, while the GNU project chose a more advanced, but challenging design with the GNU HURD kernel.
• The advanced design of GNU HURD, which divided the kernel into smaller programs communicating asynchronously, led to years of debugging and delays.
• Linux was developed independently of the GNU Project, but it was later integrated into the GNU system, filling the gap in the GNU system.
• There is a symbiotic relationship between Linux and GNU programs, with Linux serving as a platform for the programs, while the programs take advantage of Linux.
• The GNU C compiler played a crucial role in the development of Linux and other open programs.
• Linux uses the GPL and aligns with the philosophy behind it, despite the complexity of the GPL document.
• By the early 1990s, Linux had gained traction, with an increasing number of users finding it a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional Unix workstations.
• The name "Linux" was initially chosen by Linus Torvalds as a working name, and it became widely adopted, leading to the widespread use of the GNU/Linux Operating System.
• Linus Torvalds initially hesitated to publicly call it "Linux" due to concerns about appearing egotistical.
• Despite the widespread use of the GNU/Linux Operating System, many users are unaware of its GNU origins.
• Linus Torvalds believes that naming a distribution of Linux after GNU, such as "GNU/Linux," is justified, but he finds the general term "GNU/Linux" to be ridiculous.
• The story of Linux and GNU showcases a collaborative effort, with Linux integrating into the GNU system and forming the widely used GNU/Linux Operating System.

The Birth of Open Source: The Story of Netscape, Linux, and Free Software

• Netscape announced the release of its source code and the free distribution of Communicator on January 27th, bringing public attention to Free Software and Open Source.
• The term "Open Source" was coined at the VA offices in Mountain View, California, where a group of individuals, including Larry Augustin, Ph.D., Eric Raymond, and Christine Peterson, discussed the need for a new term to replace "Free Software."
• The term "Free Software" was deemed to have negative associations, leading to the creation of the concept of Open Source to emphasize the availability of source code.
• The Open Source Movement was focused on practical advantages and the ability for a community of users to cooperate on improving software.
• Richard Stallman, a key figure in the Free Software Movement, emphasized the importance of freedom to cooperate with others and its impact on society's quality of life.
• Bruce Perens, a proponent of Open Source, highlighted the importance of commercialization in mainstreaming the software and expressed the need for both free and non-free software to co-exist.
• The Open Source Definition, derived from the Debian Free Software Guidelines, was created to define the term Open Source and provide a meta-license.
• The Open Source Definition includes nine rights, such as Free Redistribution, Source Code Availability, and the Permission for Derived Works, to ensure the liberty of software usage and distribution.
• The term "Open Source" was chosen to reflect the idea that source code is open and available for access and modification.
• Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, was consulted about the concept of Open Source and expressed interest in the new term.
• The birth of Open Source was a pivotal moment that brought attention to the Linux Operating System as a prominent example of Open Source software.
• The creation of the Open Source Definition aimed to clarify the rights and principles of Open Source software, emphasizing liberty and accessibility over price.

Open Source Movement and Free Software Debate

• Nick Moffitt and Chris DiBona met at a Denny's outside Foster City's police jurisdiction, adopting a "Dukes of Hazzard" method to avoid police interference.
• The open source community gathered at Microsoft's offices, demanding refunds for unwanted software pre-installed on computers.
• Approximately 150 people, half with signs, protested outside Microsoft's offices, where they were ultimately denied entry.
• The protest resulted in positive press and led Toshiba to offer laptops without pre-installed operating systems.
• Richard Stallman emphasized the importance of sharing and community in the context of software licensing and piracy.
• Stallman argued that the freedom to have a community is more important than profit motive, countering the idea that rampant piracy would eliminate the profit motive.
• Eric Raymond and Michael Tiemann debunked the notion of open source being communist, highlighting its basis in community and value delivery.
• Tiemann stressed that labeling the open source business model as communist or capitalist is irrelevant, focusing on the value and scalability it delivers.
• The free software movement was compared to communism, with a visit from a Russian institute director highlighting concerns about its compatibility with Russian society.
• The open source movement was defended as non-coercive, with Bruce Perens emphasizing the existence of commons before communism as a philosophy.
• The open source movement was described as a revolution, with Linux's growing popularity highlighted by the LinuxWorld event.
• Linus Torvalds humorously responded to LinuxWorld being labeled as "Linux's coming out party," questioning if Linux was gay.