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Idea #20455: Linux is a Kernel, GNU is an Operating System

Written by meoblast001 the 28 Jun 09 at 21:38. Category: Others. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: New
Rationale
Ubuntu Linux means that Ubuntu is some variant of the kernel Linux. The name Ubuntu Linux portrays some bad ideas. It removes the original meaning of the GNU project (software that provides freedoms to it's users) and makes people think that Linus Torvalds wrote the entire OS.
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Solution #1: Rename Ubuntu Linux to Ubuntu GNU/Linux
Written by meoblast001 the 28 Jun 09 at 21:38.
The original system was named GNU. Because Linux is not a GNU project, the system is GNU/Linux or GNU + Linux. Some even call it simply GNU. I'm not suggesting that we force everyone to say GNU/Linux or GNU. I'm just suggesting we change the official name.
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Solution #2: Rename Ubuntu Linux to Ubuntu
Written by cyberix the 1 Jul 09 at 12:55.
Ubuntu was originally called "Ubuntu Linux" because no-one had heard of Ubuntu, while most people had heard about Linux. Now that the situation is turning around[1] we should considered dropping the "Linux" part as most people couldn't care less about which kernel Ubuntu is running on top of.

[1] http://www.google.com/trends?q=ubuntu%2Clinux

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Dim wrote on the 29 Jun 09 at 13:17
Check the facts before posting. "Ubuntu" is called "Ubuntu", not "Ubuntu Linux" as you say. See ubuntu.com. So there's nothing to rename.

tolga9009 wrote on the 29 Jun 09 at 13:49
meoblast001 = Richard Stallman? Don't make it more complicated than it is. Ubuntu Linux is enough. It has accomplished in the crowd, so personally, I don't see any reasons to change the name and confuse people. I guess, most people even don't know what GNU means.

Ssdg wrote on the 29 Jun 09 at 14:41
If I remember correcly, Ubuntu linux isn't free-enougth to be called Ubuntu GNU/Linux.

Gnewsense is.

McIvor wrote on the 29 Jun 09 at 22:06
I personally prefer the way Ubuntu does it, without the name, as it avoids the politics. Linux is a kernel, GNU is a project. But Ubuntu is the OS. Ubuntu is not part of the GNU project, it just uses some programs developed by it. GCC is GNU, as is GNOME. But KDE is not GNU, nor is Apache, nor is X. Windows is not Vista/NT, neither is the Mac operating system OS X/Mach. (Ok, so technically its that's not accurate, you get the point. The kernel is only one part of the whole OS.)

yzarc wrote on the 30 Jun 09 at 14:57
Ubuntu ? I heard about it, people says it's easy, I might try it.

Linux ? No thanks, it's a system for IT professionals or geeks.

GNU/Linux ? what ????

AndrewLuecke wrote on the 1 Jul 09 at 03:27
I agree with Yzarc. Imagine saying "you using Ubuntu GNU Linux" to everyone. It doesn't flow well..

Its not as though Apple is going around saying "and this is OSX Darwin Mach 10.5".


andruk (Idea reviewer) wrote on the 4 Jul 09 at 09:12
Agreed with AndrewLuecke and yzarc. Don't confuse users seems to be the basis of UI design, and should be the basis of naming conventions as well (and on that note, why did they name it GIMP - it's a terrible name/acronym!).

ushimitsudoki wrote on the 4 Jul 09 at 11:03
Just "Ubuntu" is fine. It's a strong brand and a recognizable - if slightly odd - name.

Linux has enough marketing problems without complicating the name further - and I'm a pretty avid supporter of most things GNU.

Dustie wrote on the 4 Jul 09 at 15:13
... Calling Linux GNU/linux is like referring to the USA as England/USA."

bryonak wrote on the 4 Jul 09 at 17:38
If Ubuntu were called "Ubuntu Linux", both would be good proposals.
But it's just "Ubuntu", albeit it has the catchphrase "Linux for human beings". I think we can leave it at that ;)

meoblast001 wrote on the 22 Jul 09 at 00:32
Actually, it is named Ubuntu, but the slogan is "Linux for Human Beings." Perhaps that should be changed to "GNU/Linux for Human Beings." or "GNU+Linux for Human Beings."

cyberix wrote on the 22 Jul 09 at 21:58
How about "software for human beings"?


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