Torvalds calls Linux "bloated"

[Ceyfer √]

Has Linux become a victim of its own success?

At the LinuxCon conference in Portland this week, Linux creator Linus Torvalds dropped a bit of a bomb when he said that the open-source kernel had not become the “streamlined, hyper-efficient kernel I envisioned when I started writing Linux” and instead was now “bloated,” “huge” and “scary,” according to reports.

ZDnet
Cnet

[hellnoire]

Bah, Torvalds complained when they put a GUI in, he's a complainer though and though.

[safeguy]

He has the right to say what he thinks...After all, he is the creator. For him, it's getting bloated...for others, it's not...

However, we must remember that Linux is open source, people play around with the code...add in stuffs, remove stuffs, etc. Yes, perhaps some Linux distros are bloated but I don't think all of them are...there are very slim ones such as Puppy Linux, Damn small Linux, etc.

Linux may be bloated but it isn't as bloated as Windows

[YuMeng]

Of course Windows is more bloated than Linux. Windows 7 disc is about 2-3 GB, most of Linux distro CD is range about 600-700MB.

[hellnoire]

He has the right to say what he thinks...After all, he is the creator. For him, it's getting bloated...for others, it's not...

Ahh, but it doesn't mean he're right. After all...

we must remember that Linux is open source, people play around with the code...add in stuffs, remove stuffs, etc. Yes, perhaps some Linux distros are bloated but I don't think all of them are...there are very slim ones such as Puppy Linux, Damn small Linux, etc.

You summed it best yourself. There are the big ones, like the gaming ones, but there are also smaller ones like Zenwalk too. So for him to come outright and generalize is as bad as me doing that too.

[gene]

There is an interesting discussion on that subject on OSNews, where one could actually get some insight on the matter, and not to take "bloat" thing at face value:

Linus: Linux 'Bloated and Huge', Development Process Working

[hyena]

Biggest issue i find with Linux is to find info on how not to update a whole heap of crap I dont need. I've been a Linux user for three years, and find the Distros getting "bloated" through competition to get users, more than anything else.

Plus if you don't have the luxury of fulltime leisure most of us will accept a bloated distro rather than search for the answer from a forum full of newbies who know less than myself. Developers have to start teaching people wanting to learn usage of Linux Distros, pull their heads out of their over important asses and realise teaching is a noble Art.

Torvalds can call Linux what he likes, just like me or you. Fool gave it away 'cept for the Kernel so it is what it is, ... Kernel is very good though gotta admit

[gene]

It is not about any Linux distribution that the "bloat" remark has been made, but rather about the direction and manageability of the kernel.

[blackrose]

Who cares now what he thinks. I am sure that Linux is the best OS there is. Windows with all the crazy stuff and high price still windows bloated. Where as Linux is memory friendly on the other hand Windows does not satisfy its memory hunger always wants more.