Software patents, in particular, are very ripe for abuse. The whole system encourages big corporations getting thousands and thousands of patents. Individuals almost never get them.
Linus TorvaldsRead
I've felt strongly that the advantage of Linux is that it doesn't have a niche or any special market, but that different individuals and companies end up pushing it in the direction they want, and as such you end up with something that is pretty balanced across the board.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Linux's strength lies in its adaptability and strong community contributions, ensuring a balanced development.
In this quote, Linus Torvalds highlights the unique advantage of the Linux operating system, which thrives not by targeting a specific market niche, but by being shaped by diverse contributions from individuals and companies alike. This collaborative effort allows Linux to evolve into a versatile platform that meets a broad range of needs, ultimately leading to a more balanced and robust operating system.
Themes
LinuxCommunityCollaborationTechnologyAdaptability
In practice
Example use cases
In a tech presentation about the benefits of open-source software.
More from Linus Torvalds
All quotes βI often compare open source to science. To where science took this whole notion of developing ideas in the open and improving on other peoples' ideas and making it into what science is today and the incredible advances that we have had. And I compare that to witchcraft and alchemy, where openness was something you didn't do.
Linus TorvaldsRead
I'm sitting in my home office wearing a bathrobe. The same way I'm not going to start wearing ties, I'm also not going to buy into the fake politeness, the lying, the office politics and backstabbing, the passive aggressiveness, and the buzzwords.
Linus TorvaldsRead
Avoiding complexity reduces bugs.
Linus TorvaldsRead
Most of the good programmers do programming not because they expect to get paid or get adulation by the public, but because it is fun to program.
Linus TorvaldsRead
I have an ego the size of a small planet.
Linus TorvaldsRead
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