Just last week, due ignited "for the defense of sexual assault" event, RMS departure from the Free Software Foundation and MIT.
Local time on September 28, RMS announced on his personal website to exit the GNU project: "I hereby resign from the person in charge of the GNU project duties , effective immediately."
And just two days ago, RMS also declared himself through mailing lists currently still the head of the GNU project , namely chief GNUisance.
About GNU- free software - open source software
GNU is a Unix-like operating system, which is a collection of programs consisting of multiple applications, system libraries, development tools and games. GNU development began in January 1984, called the GNU Project, GNU's many programs released under the GNU project, called GNU packages .
"GNU" is the name "GNU's Not Unix" is a recursive acronym.
Unix-like operating system, a program for resource allocation and management of hardware called a "core," typically used by GNU kernel is Linux, the combination is called GNU / Linux operating system. The official stressed that GNU Linux can not be called "Linux", should be called "GNU / Linux", because it is integrated into many GNU Linux program.
GNU beginning actually has its own kernel: at The Hurd , and it began to develop in 1990, even earlier than Linux.
GNU fact, is the product of the free software movement and the free software movement is initiated by the RMS, and he also serves as Founder and Chairman of the Free Software Foundation.
Free software means that users have to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, the software free software gives users four basic freedoms :
- For any purpose, the freedom to run the software (freedom 0).
- There are study how the program works and adapt it to (freedom) of the software. Obtaining the software source code is a precondition for this.
- The freedom to redistribute copies so you can take your neighbor (freedom 2).
- Has released free (freedom 3) improved version of the software to the public, so that the entire community can therefore benefit. Obtaining the source code is a precondition for this.
"Open source software" is derived from "free software movement" , both open source software and free software are essentially different, open source is concerned that the actual development of a project, in collaboration with the functional evolution, which they see development projects; and basic theory of free software is for all mankind to use and how to use the right to freedom of software, which is related to a moral movement. But both practical suggestions about the same, they think the enemy is proprietary software, adhere to the " open source software ."
RMS argument about the origins of open source is this:
Since 1983, we have to maintain your computer user name of freedom rise of the free software movement. In 1984, we initiated a program to develop a free operating system, and named this system as GNU. Take this system, we would not have to depend on non-free operating system, arbitrary deprivation of liberty is no longer sit by and watch their users. In the 1980s, we have developed vast majority of components of the system. To protect users' freedom, we designed the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL), the license is issued and to most of the components.
Not all free software users and developers are in favor of target free software movement. In 1998, some members of the free software camp split up, and to "open source" in the name to continue its activities.
related news:
RMS from the Free Software Foundation and MIT departure
RMS retiring, Red Hat FSF urged to appoint more diversified Chairman
Resigned as Chairman of the FSF's GNU RMS is still the person in charge of the project