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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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