Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
Pop!_OS Lead: Linux Developers are “Patronizing Pedantic Megalomaniacs”
System76’s Principal Engineer doesn’t “even try to contribute to the Linux kernel anymore.”
August 29, 2024
post photo preview

The Principal Engineer of System 76 (and the lead developer of System 76's Pop!_OS Linux distribution) has declared the Linux kernel is run by "patronizing pedantic megalomaniacs" and that he doesn't "even try to contribute to the Linux kernel anymore."

While, at first glance, these statements read like yet another round of "Open Source Drama" -- the Open Source world and "Drama" certainly go hand in hand -- the fact that the lead maintainer of one of the most prominent Linux distributions is refusing to have any involvement with the Linux kernel itself... is absolutely fascinating.

And this all seems to stem... from Rust.

Seriously.

Rust & Linux Conflict

Yesterday (August 28th), Wedson Filho (a developer working on migrating some Linux code to Rust) sent the following email to the Linux Kernel mailing list:

 

 

"I am retiring from the project.  After almost 4 years, I find myself lacking the energy and enthusiasm I once had to respond to some of the nontechnical nonsense, so it's best to leave it up to those who still have it in them."

As an example of the reason he is retiring from the "Rust for Linux" project, Wedson included a clip of a YouTube recording from the Q & A portion of a presentation on Linux Filestyems at Linux Foundation  event.

 

 

During that presentation, it was suggested that developers of Linux File System support (currently in C) needed to do significant work to accomodate developers who wanted to migrate Linux File System support to the Rust programming language.

One of the audience members disagreed with that -- saying "you're trying to convince everyone to switch over to the religion" of Rust.  Which he followed up by saying, "that ain't gonna happen".

The discussion went back and forth for a few moments and then the presentation moved on.

In short: Developers working on existing Linux kernel functionality (in C), want to continue working on their code.  Rust developers want them to either port the existing code to Rust, or spend time helping others to port it to Rust.

This, by itself, is an interesting debate as it could have rather sweeping ramifications to the Linux kernel (and related code).  But then something truly strange happened...

Enter: System76 & Pop!_OS

That's when Jeremy Soller, the Principal Engineer of System76 (a laptop and desktop PC company focused on shipping computers with Linux, specifically with their in-house developed Pop!_OS distribution), chimed in with his thoughts over on X.

 

 

"This kind of treatment is exactly why I started Redox OS from scratch and written primarily in Rust.  There is a lot of resistance to even minor beneficial change in Linux and related projects.  I don't even try to contribute to the Linux kernel anymore."

 

It's that last line that caught my eye.  "I don't even try to contribute to the Linux kernel anymore."

The lead of software engineering at a company which ships Linux hardware... refuses to work with the Linux kernel?

How utterly peculiar.  This would seem to be a massive problem (certainly an inconvenience) for System76.

But then Jeremy Soller continues... by directly, personally attacking Linux kernel developers (and, seemingly, Linus Torvalds and the rest of the Linux kernel maintainers).

 

 

"There are projects where you will inevitably have to get your changes past patronizing pedantic megalomaniacs and while the Linux kernel is not only developed by this personality type it is overwhelmingly controlled by it."

 

Patronizing pedantic megalomaniacs.

Not exactly mincing words.

Putting aside wether the System76 lead is right or wrong about any of that... it would seem to be a bizarre business strategy to directly attack and insult the people building the software which your own product relies upon.  Especially when you refuse to work on that same software.

Again, here's what we are seeing:

  • System76 ships an OS (Pop!_OS) with the Linux kernel.
  • System76 ships hardware with the Linux kernel.
  • System76 leadership refuses to work on the Linux kernel.
  • System76 leadership insults the people who do work on the Linux kernel (including the leadership of Linux).
  • That conflict appears to be originating from Rust advocates unhappy when C programmers refuse to work on Rust.

While the Open Source and Linux world is certainly no stranger to drama and conflict... this goes beyond mere "drama" and into the realm of having a significant impact on the business of System76 (both in terms of engineering and public perception).

Likewise, what does this mean for the Pop!_OS Linux distribution?  If the lead on that project (funded and run by System76) refuses to work on Linux -- and personally insults Linux kernel leadership -- what impact will that have on that particular distribution?

And all of this appears to be rooted in an anger that Rust developers have towards C programmers working on the Linux kernel.

An anger so strong... engineering leadership at System76 is willing to significantly harm his company over.

Utterly bizarre.

community logo
Join the Lunduke Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
45
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
The Stallman Report - A Hit Piece on the Free Software Founder

An anonymous author. Strong political bias. Dubious motivation. Canceling an old man with cancer because he makes controversial statements.

00:49:07
October 14, 2024
Debian Linux Doesn't Want Straight White Men

Want to be a paid intern for Debian? Everyone is welcome! (Except Straight White Men. And Asians. Debian really doesn't want Asians.)

00:19:56
October 14, 2024
The Road to Skynet: Nuclear Powered, CAPTCHA Solving AI

Teach Al systems to beat CAPTCHAs and pretend to be people, then give them nuclear reactors. What could go wrong!?

00:12:02
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

I know The Register attacked Lunduke, but they have an interesting article about switching customers from Linux to BSD. https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/08/switching_from_linux_to_bsd/

6 hours ago

On this week in privacy, let's explore web apps and convenience.

Web apps are cool

Web apps are applications that run inside web browsers. As you probably already know, web apps have been around for years, most notably with in the form of electron apps, and have had varying levels of success. Whole frameworks like React and Vue are designed specifically to turn an ordinary web page into an interactive app that runs offline.

There are advantages and disadvantages of web apps. On the plus side, unless you allow notifications, they turn off when the browser is closed. There's no secret spying. They're also compatible with every operating system with a decent browser. On the negative size, native apps can be more feature rich, and better handle touch controls.

We can install web apps from the Brave menu. This creates a link on the app screen. Alternatively, we can just bookmark the site. Either works.

Logging in every time sucks

One of the biggest advantages of web apps in a secure browser is ...

PSA for the morning: I'm still getting this Ubuntu system set up and went to install Joplin which is an AppImage. Turns out 24.10 (maybe it's a thing in older version too, but I don't know) is missing a dependency for AppImages to work. In case anyone was going to move to Ubuntu 24.10 and run AppImages, install fuse2 first.

apt install libfuse2t64

October 14, 2024
post photo preview
Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Oct 6 - Oct 12, 2024)
GNOME Layoffs! Woke Software Alternatives! Internet Archive Hacks! Facebook Censorship Portal!

Whew!  Last week was another crazy one!

GNOME Foundation layoffs, Google breakup by the government, Facebook's custom developed web portal to help Biden censor Americans... oh, and that crazy Internet Archive hack (which is still going on!).  Wild times.

But, if you're going to watch just one show from last week, I would make it the one about LEGO parts on laptops.  Because that one made me smile.

The Shows

The Articles

Read full Article
October 13, 2024
post photo preview
Funny Programming Pictures Part LIX
Buckle up, Buttercup.

One of these is my favorite.  Youn know which one it is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read full Article
October 11, 2024
Today is the last day new Lifetime Subscriptions are available!

Whew!  It's the end of an era!

Today is the final day that new Lifetime Subscriptions to The Lunduke Journal can be picked up.

No rain checks.  No extensions.  These really and truly are the last few hours they will be available.

If you've ever wanted one, now is literally your last chance.

  • Lifetime Lunduke Journal Subscriptions are only available until Friday, October 11th, 2024.  That's... today!

  • Lifetime Subscriptions are discounted to $200 for these final hours.

  • Today is also the last day any subscription can be obtained via Bitcoin.

  • Obviously, all existing Lifetime Subscriptions (including those picked up in the final moments) will be honored.  For life.

You can find all of the details in this article (or this video) -- including the reasons why no new Lifetime Subscriptions will be offered after today, and details on the new Lunduke Journal Affiliate Program.

If you have picked up a Lifetime Sub in the last few hours and days, you will be receiving an email shortly (if you haven't already) with confirmation.  If you have questions, feel free to email me (bryan at lunduke.com).

How To Get a Lifetime Subscription

All the benefits of a Standard Monthly subscription... but pay once and never need to pay again.  $200.

  • Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  • Select "Give Once".

  • Enter "200" into the amount field.

  • After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status.

How To Get a Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin)

You can also obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin.

  • Make sure you have a Lunduke.Locals.com account (a free account works just fine).

  • Send $200 worth of Bitcoin (or more) to the following address:

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com.

Here's a handy-dandy QR code you can scan that also has a Bitcoin Wallet Address for The Lunduke Journal:

102127_2uuarwwiqcds5s2.jpeg
 

 

 

 

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals