Re: [question to candidates] GNOME OS

[William Jon McCann <william jon mccann gmail com>]

Hi Richard,

(we are not candidates and shouldn't derail this thread but just a
quick response)

On Thu, May 26, 2011 at 1:36 AM, Richard Stallman <rms gnu org> wrote:
>    I really think the GNOME OS idea is a very good one, that is, making
>    GNOME provide access to configuration and features of the underlying OS,
>    so that it is a complete desktop that can deal with everything the users
>    would ever need from a desktop.
>
> The idea is fine, but calling it "GNOME OS" is confusing since GNOME
> was designed to be part of the GNU operating system.  Someone else
> suggested "GNOME Desktop System" -- that avoids the confusion.

I see what you are saying but I don't think this reflects the view of
the people most actively involved in this project.  It certainly
doesn't represent the view of the people I work with while designing
GNOME.  The conversation you are taking part in is related to
acknowledging that we have been designing GNOME as an operating system
for quite some time.

>    But at the same time we have people from OSes other than Linux
>    interested in using GNOME,
>
> Linux isn't an operating system, it's a kernel.  I think you're
> talking about the GNU system but calling it "Linux".
>
> That's a big misunderstanding.  GNOME has no special relationship
> with Linux but does have one with the GNU system (see gnome.org).

It is true that Linux is just a kernel.  However, GNOME does have a
special relationship with Linux.  A GNOME OS very likely would be
built from Linux and many GNU tools.  I think you will see that this
will be a very effective way to advance the reach of free software.
So, I don't think this is a point worth debating.

Anyway, let's not derail this thread.  I'd prefer to listen to what
the candidates have to say. :)

Thanks,
Jon