3 ms·

could everyone who makes up GNU who don't like RMS just fork it and work on that instead?

• gwd 7y ago
  > could everyone who makes up GNU who don't like RMS just fork it and work on that instead? Three possibilities: 1. RMS steps down. The project stays together but loses one pesron who "...does not write software...does not design software, or systems." 2. RMS refuses to step down. People who don't like his leadership stop developing on their current projects entirely. -2a. This is a relatively small number of people; the project continues, but they have at least a dozen fewer people who do actually write and/or design software. -2b. This is a large number of people; the GNU project is crippled or becomes untenable. 3. RMS refuses to step down. People who don't like his leadership fork the project. -3a. This is basically everyone. This is similar to 1, (or a combination of 1 and 2a), but with a branding change (similar to OpenOffice -> LibreOffice, or Xfree86 -> Xorg). -3b. This is about half the people. Both projects subsequently struggle to find the labor to continue operating; this is similar to 2b. -3c. This is a minority of people; the new project struggles and eventually dies. This is similar to 2a. Even though 3a would work, it's sub-optimal; but there's a significant risk of 3b. 1 is the best option if possible, so it's obviously the option to try first.