Torvalds: Free OS X Is No Threat To Linux 314
jfruh writes "Apple is now offering upgrades to the latest version of OS X for free. When Linux inventor Linus Torvalds was asked whether this threatened Linux (presumably by someone who had only a passing knowledge of all the things 'free' can mean when applied to software) it gave him an opportunity for a passionate defense of open source. Torvalds also says that he'll keep programming until it gets 'not interesting,' which hasn't happened yet." The newest version of OS X may be gratis for Apple hardware buyers, but it's notably far from the original, (literally) un-branded sense of "mavericks."
Re:Linus Ducks Real Issue (Score:3, Interesting)
The real issue, which he completely ignores, is the genuine threat to Linux provided by Microsoft's release of a free Windows 8.1 upgrade.
ROFLMAO
Only free to users of win 8, who got a raw deal having to use win8. :)
8.1 may not yet be perfect, but its a huge improvement. Right clicking the new start button gives you direct access to control panels, device manager, event viewer, computer management, powershell, add/remove programs, shutdown/restart... I hadn't realized this until a couple days ago as everyone had said the new start button is just brings up the win8 start screen. Even on the 8.1 preview -- it hadn't occured to me to right click it.
I now officially overall prefer the new start button/start screen more than windows 7 start menu, and think the start8/classic shell crowd are missing the boat.
I'm still not a fan of metro, but that's optional to use. And I still like the win7 start menu search widget for typing based "quick launch" -- and would like to see a powertoy for that; or even just to see that autocomplete/search functionality added to win+r.
Anyhow... as to Linus being afraid of a free 8.1 upgrade, or even OSX upgrades... it's absurd. OSX isn't free. Its a free upgrade for recent Macs. That's it.
Re:the second dose is free (Score:4, Interesting)
No, the expensive hardware is bundled with it, not the other way around. You can go to the store and buy a copy with no hardware whatsoever, then install it on some used $200 Macbook from craigslist. I have one six or seven years old that runs it happily.
Re:How anyone would think it's related to Linux? (Score:5, Interesting)
They only offer UPGRADES for free? Then nothing changed, really. You'd still need to buy a Mac to use it legally. In fact it's kinda stupid OS updates were paid for in the first place.
Yea, the question really wasn't that insightful since OSX and Linux really don't compete for the same user base; it's really a marketing shot at MS as well as a way to get people onto the new OS so as Apple decides to move in certain directions that can be assured much of their user base is on the latest OS.
Oddly enough, Apple has come full circle from its early Apple ][ days when every OS release was free; it wasn't until MacOS came out did they eventually start charging. I forget what release was the first paid update. Of course, many programs were the same way, HyperStudio for example let any user upgrade to the latest version for free. I wonder if Apple is thinking it is better to tie users into the least versions and to your software by giving it away so that you can make money on devices and services; and they're betting that keeping everyone up to date will bind them even tighter into their closed ecosystem.
Re:the second dose is free (Score:3, Interesting)