this post was submitted on 07 Dec 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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The project is open source so it would keep going, at worst case people could fork it or whatever. They would just lift up one of the maintainers to take Linus' job. I don't know how this would apply to the Linux foundation, but I think he still would be replaceable, it's all designed that way, because IT sector wouldn't have all it's eggs in one basket that might break if one guy leaves or dies.
Whooooooooboy, that has not been my experience in tech!
I've worked with both kind of companies. Current one doesn't really care about Bus factor, but currently, for myself personally, that's just a bonus as after every project it would be even more difficult to onboard someone to my position. And then I've worked with companies who hire people to improve bus factor actively. When done correctly that's a really, really good thing. And when it's done badly it just grinds everything down to almost halt as people spend their time in nonsensical meetings and writing documentation no-one really cares about.
Balancing that equation is not a easy task and people who are good at it deserve every penny they're paid for it. And, again just for me, if I get overrun by a bus tomorrow, then it's not my problem anymore and as the company doesn't really care about that then I won't either.
Glad someone finally mentioned Bus Factor.
On topic, I wonder if Linux technically has a bus factor problem. In theory, anyone could fork, take all the source give and start making Johnix, Tomix, or Whosix. Everything is documented and all the code is available.
In the real world, you have multiple teams and individuals submitting code from all over the world. Sure you've got the Linux Foundation, but who would have the respect and authority to keep everyone contributing instead of forking off?
With Linux the scale alone makes it pretty difficult to maintain any kind of fork. Handful of individuals just can't compete with a global effort and it's pretty well understood that the power Linux has becomes from those globally spread devs working towards a common goal. So, should Linux Foundation cease to exist tomorrow I'd bet that something similar would raise to take it's place.
For the respect/authority side, I don't really know. Linux is important enough for governments too, so maybe some entity ran by United nations or something similar could do?
It is impossible for an individual, barring a very niche case. And why waste labor provided by someone else? So far as I know, edge is base on, but not a fork of chromium. If that is microsoft's approach, I can't imagine anyone doing differently. Except for maybe a government "forking" by close sourcing a "fork". (Which someone has definitely done). What's going to come of that? The FSF suing the US department of defense? I'd support it, but good luck.
Google soft-forked Linux for Android (maintained in parallel IIRC) but re-merged into the mainline, presumably because why maintain a whole operating system?
In theory the Linux Foundation would keep Google, Microsoft, AMD, whoever playing nice with each other for mutual benefit and maintenance of Linux, but like you said, and the source of my worry, is who else would have Linus' combination of prestige, principles, and perseverance?
I'm sure there are others who could fill the role, but even Linus is still bullying Nvidia with only partial success. The most vital role Linus probably has had for some time now is leadership. But even someone who might have superior soft-skills wouldn't have the history, which certainly contributes to his authority.
It has absolutely never happened before that one guy had to spend some time in a government facility. No. Not at all.