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"'Talking in Different Languages'

"I get the distinct sense that Linus and Whitehurst are talking in different languages," Chris Travers, a Slashdot blogger who works on the LedgerSMB project, told LinuxInsider. "Linus says he wishes Linux was a hyper-efficient kernel, and I get the sense that he means this in an abstract, almost mathematical sense. In this, complexity is bad, and so forth."

"On the other hand, "Whitehurst is talking about practical utility," Travers explained. "To him, 'bloated' is not a term which is an abstract one but is measured by practical effects."

"Does that mean Linus is an idealist? "I suppose," Travers added. "Engineers tend to be idealists about form -- I know I am. However, when it comes to practical views such as defining 'bloat,' I think Whitehurst's comments are closer to the truth. One cannot evaluate whether Linux is bloated unless evaluating its utility for a specific task."

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