It Official Linus stole Linux (Microsoft FUD)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/040514/234/71e7q.html ^ | 05/17/2004 | Yahoo

[N3WBI3]

Torvalds claim to "invent" Linux probably false, says new study

Fri May 14, 5:49 PM ET

Washington, DC (FeatureXpress) May 14, 2004 - Popular but controversial "open source" computer software, often contributed on a volunteer basis, is often taken or adapted without permission from material owned by other companies and individuals, a study by the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution finds. Among other points, the study directly challenges Linus Torvalds (news - web sites)' claim to be the inventor of Linux (news - web sites). In one of the few extensive studies on the source of open source code, Kenneth Brown, president of AdTI, traces the free software movement over three decades -- from its romantic but questionable beginnings, through its evolution to a commercial effort that draws on unpaid contributions from thousands of programmers. Brown's account is based on extensive interviews with more than two dozen leading technologists including Richard Stallman, Dennis Ritchie, and Andrew Tanenbaum.

[N3WBI3]

And nobody is saying they did not revolutionize the idea of portable operating systems. But to say the made things work and are still probably the best server OS on the market.

UNIX was defiantly the inspiration for Linux but I think you do a disservice to both when you call Linux *UNIX* it was not until kernel 2.4 / 2.6 that Linux has become a truly enterprise system. And the development model most assisted by Linux (opensource) has produced many applications which UNIX takes advantage (nmap, cvs, ...) Many old unix apps were released into this model and became more viable dynamic due to the model..

[jpsb]

see 36, Unix wasn't the "inspiration" it was the blue print.

[Publius6961]

Scholarly organizations are "institutes;" an "institution" is a mental health facility.

So?
Are you simply citing this article as a rare example of accurate reporting?

[TechJunkYard]

I suspect that Stallman, et al, have been misquoted in the "study"; it's happened before. I think we'll see several rebuttals in the coming days.

Another problem may be with the word "invent".

the study directly challenges Linus Torvalds' claim to be the inventor of Linux..

I don't know of any instance where Linus claimed to "invent" Linux. But the Internet has a long memory, and it's clear that Linus originally developed the Linux kernel.

.. based on extensive interviews with more than two dozen leading technologists..

Which is typical for ADTI. Very little research, just interviews, after which words are cut and pasted to fit the agenda.

We'll have to see what comes out on the 20th, but I doubt that this source will be taken seriously based on past history.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt = FUD

[Bogey78O]

Fud means what?

[Bush2000]

Hey, look. It's the usual rogue's gallery of Mac/Linux bigots. Why do you guys even bother to respond to these kinds of articles? Just setup a macro or auto-responder to spew your usual bile: "It's MS FUD" ... blah, blah, blah. It would save you time.

[Havoc]

I was pretty cautious in picking my words. But I think I said it wouldn't surprise me. Were you disappointed by my restraint and in need of bile? I don't much like bile; but, if you need some, pretend to be anti free trade and go to one of those threads, you'll have more bile than you know what to do with.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It would save you time.

The plan is to make that aneurism in your tiny little noggin explode so we don't have to bother with you any more.

[OneCardRoyal]

Hey, look. It's the usual rogue's gallery of Mac/Linux
bigots. Why do you guys even bother to respond to these
kinds of articles? Just setup a macro or auto-responder to
spew your usual bile: "It's MS FUD" ... blah, blah, blah.
It would save you time.

Pot. Kettle. Black. Head. Go boil. Thanks in advance.

[Woodman]

Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt = FUD

[N3WBI3]

Ahhh in the world of Bush2000 the fact MS funds an institue is not important but the political orientation of Linus's Father are..

What color is the sky in your world bush??

[Woodman]

Look I know you're getting into the Bush200 cage match now, but by "funds" does that mean $100 or $100,000,000 a year? It's really important to the argument and many on this thread have implied that this ORG is a 100% MS Subsidiary. I want proof if that claim is going to be made, not a dozen links to the same interview where an MS employee states that they have contributed (which is a long way from funding) to the ORG.

[antiRepublicrat]

"It's MS FUD" ... blah, blah, blah. It would save you time.

Except while you claim instant reaction and conspiracy theory, Microsoft has a documented history of using FUD against its competitors, starting with DR. DOS on to present. Likewise, I'm sure you take anything coming from the DNC with a grain of salt due to their history of lying.

[Bush2000]

The plan is to make that aneurism in your tiny little noggin explode so we don't have to bother with you any more.

You're welcome to try. But I think you're in for a little disappointment. I'm probably in better physical condition that most of you trolls...

[Bush2000]

Except while you claim instant reaction and conspiracy theory, Microsoft has a documented history of using FUD against its competitors, starting with DR. DOS on to present. Likewise, I'm sure you take anything coming from the DNC with a grain of salt due to their history of lying.

Oh, puh-lease. With you guys, practically every other sentence contains the term "MS FUD". It's your substitute for a rational response.

[antiRepublicrat]

that most of you trolls...

Hey Bush, they're having a thread about you. In specific, those who label any disagreement as trolling.

[Bush2000]

Ahhh in the world of Bush2000 the fact MS funds an institue is not important but the political orientation of Linus's Father are..

Woodman said it well: Before you argue that this foundation is bought-and-paid-for, I'd like you to produce an accounting of how much was actually contributed by MS. Otherwise, you're blowing smoke. Tons of people and companies donate money to various causes -- and that doesn't automatically turn those organizations into mouthpieces for their benefactors.

[Bush2000]

Hey Bush, they're having a thread about you. In specific, those who label any disagreement as trolling.

Wow, I'm so hurt [NOT].

[antiRepublicrat]

Oh, puh-lease. With you guys, practically every other sentence contains the term "MS FUD". It's your substitute for a rational response.

As I said, to make it a way you can understand, think "Democrat lies." When Dims start spewing something against Bush, you can pretty much bet it's so full of slant, half-truths and innuendo to make the whole package one big lie.

Microsoft does the same thing to Linux all the time. Don't tell me you don't remember the DR. DOS episode that was the beginning of their FUD.