Topic: Operating Systems

Windows 7's latest fan: Linus Torvalds

Summary: Linus Torvalds, pictured at an unidentified Yodobashi store in Tokyo, Japan. Source: Chris Schlaeger (click to enlarge)I was determined to not write about Windows 7 today, because any analysis I wrote would get buried in all the other news.

By Jason Perlow for Tech Broiler | October 22, 2009 -- 17:40 GMT (10:40 PDT)

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Linus Torvalds, pictured at an unidentified Yodobashi store in Tokyo, Japan. Source: Chris Schlaeger (click to enlarge)

I was determined to not write about Windows 7 today, because any analysis I wrote would get buried in all the other news. I was going to wait to deliver my "last word" sometime next week. But then a co-worker emailed me the photo above, clearly of Linus Torvalds at the software counter at Yodobashi, a Japanese consumer electronics store in Tokyo in front of a huge display of Windows 7 boxes, giving it the international sign of recognition: Thumbs Up. I HAD to post that.

Of course, if you happen to be Japanese, the custom is to make the "V" sign rather than a "Thumbs Up" when you are being photographed, but I won't criticize Linus for his trivial knowledge gap.

Click on the "Read the rest of this entry" link below for more.

However, what I do think is significant here is that Linus has a sense of humor, and has no interest in being caught up in the Free Software nonsense where one of the major sticking points in their ideology is a hatred of "Unethical" software companies in which Microsoft is the poster child -- and in utter contempt and protest the products they release, which includes a recently started campaign against the "Sins" of Windows 7.

Do I actually believe Linus was endorsing Windows 7? No, he was in town for the Japan Linux Symposium. But it shows he has a clear sense of humor, understands tolerance, and knows how to lighten up when his Free Software counterparts are frothing at the mouth during one of the most important software launch days in Microsoft's history.

So is Linus Torvalds the latest entry on the Free Software Foundation's and Richard Stallman's "Traitors" list for daring to appear in front of a pile of Windows 7 boxes without lighting them on fire first? Talk Back and Let Me Know.

Topics: Operating Systems, Microsoft, Software, Windows

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106 comments

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Linus is great....

He appears to have his feet on the ground than most tech icons.

While I can't stand Richard Stallman, Balmer, Jobs, I always will slow down and read about Linus. A nerd of the 1st class.

JoeMama_z
22 October, 2009 19:09

Reply Vote
- I totally agree
  
  Linus always struck me as someone who just wanted to make a great OS. And he (and millions of his helpers), succeeded. Jobs is an egomaniac who just wants to steal as much money as can by telling lies on TV (see Mac vs PC for an example) and Stallman is an idealogical freak who would cut off his own nose just to spite his face.
  
  I would actually enjoy reading a review of Windows 7 by Linus because, unlike frothing at the mouth posters on ZDNet, I believe Linus would be able to put most of his bias aside and actually give it a fair review.
  
  NonZealot
  22 October, 2009 19:17
  
  Reply Vote
  - Bit much coming from you!
    
    I don't mean to offend, but having read an awful lot of posts on the 'interesting' comment boards at ZDnet, it's a bit rich to read this comment from you.
    
    [i]unlike frothing at the mouth posters on ZDNet[/i]
    
    Ladies and gentlemen of the jury I present this;
    
    http://talkback.zdnet.com/5208-17932-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=70749&messageID=1360106&tag=content;col1
    
    and
    
    http://talkback.zdnet.com/5208-17932-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=70749&messageID=1359791&tag=content;col1
    
    While I agree with what you are intemating, I'd count you among the "mouth-foamers" that make ZDNet a bit of a laughing stock amongst my colleagues an me.
    
    I take it you know Jobs personally to qualify your ad hominem attack? Can you prove this as fact? I doubt it, certainly no more than any entrepreneur out there. That would make your slurs libelous and the ZDnet editor should really treat it as such and remove it. You are of course entitled to your opinions, as am I. I look forward to your inevitable accusations of being some sort of fanboy.
    
    A none mouse Cow Herd
    23 October, 2009 05:55
    
    Reply Vote
    - You have to look at the idiot I was responding to
      
      That stalker deserves no respect. I am far more respectful to people who deserve it. I won't apologize for that and if you think less of me for it, so be it. Luckily I don't base my self worth on your opinion of me. :)
      
      NonZealot
      23 October, 2009 10:18
      
      Reply Vote
      - Here is the thing.
        
        You do it un-provoked! Any give article about Apple, you are there trolling! I agree that Apple aren't as great as they'd like people to think! Neither are Microsoft. They are BUSINESSES! They exist solely TO MAKE MONEY! My point is this. You are [i]no better that those that you accuse.[/i] I've been reading these threads for a short time, mainly for entertainment as the reporting and commenting is National Enquirer level. You stand out as an individual that seems to revel in "taunting fanboys". Don't get me wrong, they need keeping in check [b]on all sides[/b], but your rhetoric is Windows/Windows Mobile is the best! Both you and those you taunt are wrong. They are [i]different[/i]. Arguing the merits of your preferred OS is fine, as is expressing your views, but understand that your views aren't FACT and that hypocrisy and name-calling is unnecessary. It cheapens any actual valid points that you make. It's great that you don't base your 'self worth' on my opinion. I didn't ask you too. I couldn't give a toss what you think, given your hypocracy.
        
        A none mouse Cow Herd
        25 October, 2009 05:00
        
        Reply Vote
    - It's a good thing you
      
      aren't a lawyer, since you have no clue what constitutes libel.
      
      sackbut
      26 October, 2009 13:03
      
      Reply Vote
  - the main thing is choice
    
    Well said, I too think linus would give Win 7 an honest evaluation and call it as he sees it.
    
    I get frustrated with the ideologues who rave on about how their "religion" is superior and how all of the others will lead you to computing Hell.
    
    Use what you like, use what works and lighten up............Linus does
    
    tom@...
    23 October, 2009 08:22
    
    Reply Vote
Good Job Linus Torvalds

Not only does he have a sense of humour, but as a true techie I'm sure he'll buy a copy, appreciate the elegance of parts of it, and sleep soundly knowing he can more than hold his own against it.

That's more that the Linux fan boys can do. Windoze this, and Micro$oft that... everything is a learning opportunity and there is stuff to admire about Windows 7.

croberts
22 October, 2009 19:37

Reply Vote
- Too bad
  
  ZDNet doesn't have a 'Liking' system Facebook does.
  
  But I agree. Well put.
  
  The one and only, Cylon Centurion
  22 October, 2009 20:23
  
  Reply Vote
- RE: Windows 7's latest fan: Linus Torvalds
  
  @croberts
  
  You can find accordingly lot of grounds for <a href="http://www.shoppharmacycounter.com/m-582-xanax-zoloft-anti-anxiety.aspx">xanax online</a> headed for not approve along with you.
  
  zolof_1
  22 August, 2011 10:45
  
  Reply Vote
Seriously

What is wrong with proprietary operating systems?

It has its ups and downs, but then again... so does open source!

The one and only, Cylon Centurion
22 October, 2009 20:22

Reply Vote
- Tagged as good
  
  Tagged as good
  
  bitsmythe
  26 October, 2009 14:15
  
  Reply Vote
- Nothing is wrong
  
  Exept the perception by the Cult of Stallman that Microsoft and Apple are the creation of the devil.
  
  Same thing goes for the Cult of Jobs since they also seams to think that Windows is the devil's child or something.
  
  PS: IMO, tech is the religion of the new millenium.
  
  Ceridan
  28 October, 2009 08:00
  
  Reply Vote
In the end, it's an OS.

In the end, it's an OS. A tool on the toolkit. Geez, yeah, I'm gonna have to agree - we do tend to get all wrapped up and defensive about them, even myself. Good to see there are senses of humor out there, I think we all need more :).

CobraA1
22 October, 2009 21:19

Reply Vote
- Well Said!!!
  
  Cobra,
  
  We all need more humor in our lives! :-) Isn't laughter the best medicine?
  
  I think that the fact the creator and founder of Linux, Linus Torvalds, to which the an amazing OS is named after - that being Linux, is showing his "thumb-up" for 7 shows :
  
  1. He has a good sense of humor
  2. He understands that "it's an OS"
  3. An OS is a "tool on the toolkit"
  
  So many people these days get "defensive" and caught up an the "OS Wars", of which is better, etc. They like to defend their "preference".
  
  I have installed and used Linux, Windows, MacOSX, BeOS, etc. If there is anything I have learned is that all of them do one thing in common :
  
  Install Software Applications.
  
  Each of them provide a GUI to use the app,
  in some shape or form, and that's it. Some look better than others too. But the simple fact is this:
  
  Computers are made to run software. They are tools to do things. That's why we have them.
  
  Hey, even Apple has issues and problems with their products, just like Windows PCs, and there's even issues with Linux apps too. Trust me i know. I hate "dependency issues". The point I am making is :
  
  Nothing is perfect! Everything has problems.
  Sometiems it's hardware, or software. or both.
  
  And I do want to point of that Linux is a success story of the determination of the human spirit to produce something that works. I give kudus to Linus and his ideal to make an OS that would work, and to all the millions of people who helped produce it!
  
  My preference now is Ubuntu Linux. But I could easily change over to something else. I don't care about what is better. I care about if it works!
  
  The thumbs up by Linux shows that he understand that is just a tool, an OS. We all should realize this! Anyhow, just my "tidbits".
  
  thorpedonj
  23 October, 2009 23:05
  
  Reply Vote
Knowledge gap?

"Of course, if you happen to be Japanese, the custom is to
make the ?V? sign rather than a ?Thumbs Up? when you are
being photographed, but I won?t criticize Linus for his trivial
knowledge gap."

Maybe not, what's thumbs up mean in Japan (particularly if
moving upwards)?

Richard Flude
22 October, 2009 21:41

Reply Vote
- Not an insult in Japan.
  
  Australia it is taken as a serious insult.
  
  In Japan it sometimes indicates "Boyfriend". So actually if you take it into context...
  
  http://tinyurl.com/yfmfwkf
  
  It also is used less frequently by the younger generation to say "Good", but not necessarily to the extent it is used in the US.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LeNRI2XdhI
  
  jperlow
  22 October, 2009 21:45
  
  Reply Vote
  - Boyfriend
    
    Oh boy, Torvald and Ballmer have finally been outed as the love-birds they really are!
    
    JasonJD48
    22 October, 2009 23:08
    
    Reply Vote
  - not really an insult in Australia
    
    Not that ive ever noticed anyway, a "thumbs up" (to me an Australian), just means.
    
    "good" "right" "OK" "yes" or "approval".
    
    Thumbs down, like most cultures (I guess) just means "no", of a vote against something.
    
    ("to give something the 'thumbs down')
    
    Linus is a pragmatist, im sure he will be trying out Win 7. And im sure he would have no issues with as he has said in the past.
    
    "Using what does the job for him".
    
    It's sad that people like Boycottnovell try to spin this into an attack of RMS or OSS.
    
    Aussie_Troll
    23 October, 2009 00:53
    
    Reply Vote
    - Thumbs Up vs Thumbs Down...
      
      In Ancient Rome, the thumbs up and thumbs down signs had quite different meanings.
      
      Thumbs down in the gladiatorial arena meant put your sword down while the thumbs up signal (usually with a swipe across the neckline) meant to execute your opponent.
      
      So his only saving grace in the eyes of the foaming at the mouth followers of Stahlman would be to say in the picture that Windows 7 must be destroyed...
      
      Yeah... That's the ticket...
      
      Wolfie2K3
      23 October, 2009 02:16
      
      Reply Vote