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From: Mirian Crzig Lennox <mirian@xensei.com>
To: Todd Whitesel <toddpw@best.com>
Cc: hpeyerl@beer.org (Herb Peyerl), netbsd-advocacy@NetBSD.ORG
Subject: Re: Sun jumping on Linux bandwagon
References: <199812181428.GAA28132@shell17.ba.best.com>
Original-Sender: mirian@xensei.com
Organization: The Cosmic Computing Corporation of Alpha Centauri
Date: 18 Dec 1998 14:55:41 -0500
In-Reply-To: Todd Whitesel's message of "Fri, 18 Dec 1998 06:28:51 -0800 (PST)"
Message-ID: <m3af0lusw2.fsf@trantor.cosmic.com>
Lines: 29

Todd Whitesel <toddpw@best.com> writes:
> 
> I'm talking about public relations and image building here, and it involves
> a lot of details being consistent with the big picture people are expected to
> to buy into. NetBSD's outward image screams "purist cathedral" compared to
> Linux and FreeBSD, and that is what I'm trying to find ways to change, not
> drastically, but enough to keep it from slowing the growth of the Project.

If you consider it a problem that NetBSD doesn't seem to be attracting
new talent at the same rate that some other freenixes are, I think
you're right; the problem is much more one of image than substance.
That doesn't make it any less of a problem, though-- image'll KILL ya.

It bothers me that so many of my friends who I KNOW are good coders
have complained about having had their efforts rebuffed or ignored.
I've heard the charge enough that I consider it a problem whatever the
underlying reality is.

Another thing that Linux has that seems to be fairly unique is people
like Linus Torvalds and Alan Cox who I SWEAR must be snorting coke
because they don't ever sleep; in addition to coding a steady stream
they take the time to respond to almost every kernel patch that gets
posted by almost anyone to linux-kernel.  It's hard to compete against
that kind of fanaticism, unfortunately. :)

-- 
Mirian Crzig Lennox                                Systems Anarchist
          "There's a New World Order coming every minute.
                      Make mine extra cheese."