Torvalds switches to Apple

Linux creator Linus Torvalds is now running an Apple Macintosh as his main desktop, largely for work reasons but also because he's not one to pass up a bargain.

Torvalds, who initially created Linux for the Intel x86 platform, revealed to the Linux Kernel Mailing List in February during a discussion on kernel size reduction that his main desktop machine no longer featured an x86 processor. Hence, Torvalds said, a patch specific to the x86 platform that he was submitting to the list for consideration was totally untested.

ZDNet Australia was intrigued by this remark and sought to question Torvalds on why the man who helped revolutionize the use of Unix on the x86 platform would move away from it, and where he had moved to.

Torvald's response came quickly and succinctly. "My main machine these days is a dual 2GHz G5 (aka PowerPC 970)--it's physically a regular Apple Mac, although it obviously only runs Linux, so I don't think you can call it a Mac any more ;)" he wrote.

"As to the why...Part of it is simply that I wanted to try something else, and I felt like there were enough people testing the x86 side that it certainly didn't need me. Part of it is that I personally believe there are two main architectures out there: Power and x86-64 are what _I_ think are the two most relevant ones, and I decided that I had to at least check the other side of it out seriously if I really believed that," he wrote.

But the kernel guru sought to stop any potential accusations of favoritism in their tracks: "And don't read anything really deep into that--Linux supports 20+ architectures, and the fact that I personally think that two of them are more likely to be the most relevant really doesn't mean all that much. It's just a personal quirk of mine."

As it turns out, this key figure behind the Linux insurgency is probably not all that different from any other technology enthusiast.

"Oh, and part of it is that I got the machine for free," said Torvalds. "I'm really a technology whore."

He did not specify who provided the computer.

Renai LeMay of ZDNet Australia reported from Sydney.

[bobby_brady]

So what!

eom

[unknown unknown]

Reply

This story falls in the category with celebrity weddings and divorces etc. It's trivial information. Just like there are people who are interested in celebrities from the movies, TV, and music; there are people interested in celebrities from the technology world (why I don't know).

[bobby_brady]

So what!

eom

[unknown unknown]

Reply

This story falls in the category with celebrity weddings and divorces etc. It's trivial information. Just like there are people who are interested in celebrities from the movies, TV, and music; there are people interested in celebrities from the technology world (why I don't know).

[Orion Blastar]

MacLinux

It does not run MacOSX, which Linus originally called "crap". Will Apple finally adopt and support Linux, now that Linus runs Linux on a Mac?

[Dibbs]

haha no!

oh come on! apple ignores bigger market forces than this. its why they, sadly, have such a small market share.

[Orion Blastar]

MacLinux

It does not run MacOSX, which Linus originally called "crap". Will Apple finally adopt and support Linux, now that Linus runs Linux on a Mac?

[Dibbs]

haha no!

oh come on! apple ignores bigger market forces than this. its why they, sadly, have such a small market share.

[Jonathan]

Slow news day...

n/t

[bobby_brady]

You got that right!

eom

[Jonathan]

Slow news day...

n/t

[bobby_brady]

You got that right!

eom

[mortis9]

no way! you don't say!

that's amazing. this article proves but one thing: even famous people like free stuff (don't we all wish someone gave us free computers???). <br /><br />but i'll tell you what: i wouldn't mind a free a computer, but i'd settle for buy one, get one free day at in-n-out. hell yeah!

[David Arbogast]

reduced value

A free Mac with free support would be nice. I bet Linus is refused support from Apple since he wiped out their software and installed Linux. Obviously, he also does not qualify for any type of Apple indemnification. Nothing like reducing the value of a gift to support an obsession. If somebody gave me a nice Mac, I'd probably keep OS/X installed. But a better question would be... why doesn't he have multiple workstations so that he can actually test his x86 patches?

[System Tyrant]

Funny

I notice that the richer or the more famous you are the less you have to buy. The rich and famous get free stuff because they, like us, are walking billboards for products. George Carlin said it best when he said we all gotta have stuff (if you haven't heard that joke you should).

[mortis9]

no way! you don't say!

that's amazing. this article proves but one thing: even famous people like free stuff (don't we all wish someone gave us free computers???). <br /><br />but i'll tell you what: i wouldn't mind a free a computer, but i'd settle for buy one, get one free day at in-n-out. hell yeah!

[David Arbogast]

reduced value

A free Mac with free support would be nice. I bet Linus is refused support from Apple since he wiped out their software and installed Linux. Obviously, he also does not qualify for any type of Apple indemnification. Nothing like reducing the value of a gift to support an obsession. If somebody gave me a nice Mac, I'd probably keep OS/X installed. But a better question would be... why doesn't he have multiple workstations so that he can actually test his x86 patches?

[System Tyrant]

Funny

I notice that the richer or the more famous you are the less you have to buy. The rich and famous get free stuff because they, like us, are walking billboards for products. George Carlin said it best when he said we all gotta have stuff (if you haven't heard that joke you should).

"Oh, and part of it is that I got the machine for free," said Torvalds.

oh man, whoever gave it to him couldn't sponsor a dual-2.5?? pretty weak i should say...

[rshimizu12]

What distro is Linus using

I think it's probably yellow dog or the new red hat distro for PPC. Hopefully this will spur the development of more distros on PPC..

"Oh, and part of it is that I got the machine for free," said Torvalds.

oh man, whoever gave it to him couldn't sponsor a dual-2.5?? pretty weak i should say...

[rshimizu12]

What distro is Linus using

I think it's probably yellow dog or the new red hat distro for PPC. Hopefully this will spur the development of more distros on PPC..

[ranqet]

My bet, IBM supplied the machine

I think IBM gave Linus the 'PowerPC' desktop to help encourage development of Linux on the PowerPC platform. While Apple might have some interest in the sale of more PowerPC desktops (presumably by Apple), IBM has a greater interest in the sale of more IBM PowerPC chips whether it be from Apple or maybe even IBM/Lenovo in the not so distant future.

[Dibbs]

file that under "corporate initiative"

hmm thats a thought. i cant see Apple being so thoughtful or generous. or strategic. it seems too humble for the almighty Apple computer corporation.

[ranqet]

My bet, IBM supplied the machine

I think IBM gave Linus the 'PowerPC' desktop to help encourage development of Linux on the PowerPC platform. While Apple might have some interest in the sale of more PowerPC desktops (presumably by Apple), IBM has a greater interest in the sale of more IBM PowerPC chips whether it be from Apple or maybe even IBM/Lenovo in the not so distant future.

[Dibbs]

file that under "corporate initiative"

hmm thats a thought. i cant see Apple being so thoughtful or generous. or strategic. it seems too humble for the almighty Apple computer corporation.

So WHAT!

This is a hugh NON-story.<br />This belongs in the gossip column.

So WHAT!

This is a hugh NON-story.<br />This belongs in the gossip column.

You've gotta respect Linus

at least he's honest when he says: <br /><br /> "Oh, and part of it is that I got the machine for free,' said Torvalds. 'I'm really a technology *****."

You've gotta respect Linus

at least he's honest when he says: <br /><br /> "Oh, and part of it is that I got the machine for free,' said Torvalds. 'I'm really a technology *****."

Linus Needs OSX

Linux on the desktop would ultimately be much better off if <br />Linus spent some quality time with OSX. Linux on the desktop is <br />still a huge pain. Ease of install, use, configurability etc. of all <br />distros are still way behind OSX. Behind XP even. I've tried most <br />distros on both i386 and PPC and they are just not worth the <br />hassle, especially if you've got a nice PowerMac sitting on your <br />desk.

Why should Torvalds use OS X?

I can't believe these posts that are questioning why Linus isn't using the OS/X that came with his Mac. C'mon people, the guy developed Linux and is testing Linux! Would you have expected Henry Ford to drive a Chrysler? Would you expect Steve Jobs to be using Windows?

[Kelson]

Not at the level Linus works on

At the kernel level -- the level where Linus works -- Mac OS X is basically equivalent to FreeBSD. We're talking mainly drivers and low-level operating system functions that most people will never even *see*. To use a car analogy, Linus works on the engine, not the dashboard, steering wheel, or interior.<br /><br />All the conveniences of Mac OS X -- the user interface, hardware configuration -- those are all built *on top* of the kernel. The people that need to study Mac OS are the ones who build the desktops, the installers, the configuration tools. That means the Gnome and KDE projects, distributions like Red Hat or SuSE, etc.

Linus Needs OSX

Linux on the desktop would ultimately be much better off if <br />Linus spent some quality time with OSX. Linux on the desktop is <br />still a huge pain. Ease of install, use, configurability etc. of all <br />distros are still way behind OSX. Behind XP even. I've tried most <br />distros on both i386 and PPC and they are just not worth the <br />hassle, especially if you've got a nice PowerMac sitting on your <br />desk.

Why should Torvalds use OS X?

I can't believe these posts that are questioning why Linus isn't using the OS/X that came with his Mac. C'mon people, the guy developed Linux and is testing Linux! Would you have expected Henry Ford to drive a Chrysler? Would you expect Steve Jobs to be using Windows?

[Kelson]

Not at the level Linus works on

At the kernel level -- the level where Linus works -- Mac OS X is basically equivalent to FreeBSD. We're talking mainly drivers and low-level operating system functions that most people will never even *see*. To use a car analogy, Linus works on the engine, not the dashboard, steering wheel, or interior.<br /><br />All the conveniences of Mac OS X -- the user interface, hardware configuration -- those are all built *on top* of the kernel. The people that need to study Mac OS are the ones who build the desktops, the installers, the configuration tools. That means the Gnome and KDE projects, distributions like Red Hat or SuSE, etc.

Torvalds switches to Apple

Well, ya gotta hand it to the guy... he's blatantly honest (re: "Oh, and part of it is that I got the machine for free," said Torvalds. "I'm really a technology *****.").

Torvalds switches to Apple

Well, ya gotta hand it to the guy... he's blatantly honest (re: "Oh, and part of it is that I got the machine for free," said Torvalds. "I'm really a technology *****.").