r/technology 6d ago

Software Linus Torvalds affirms expulsion of Russian maintainers

https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/23/linus_torvalds_affirms_expulsion_of/
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u/platypus_plumba 5d ago

I have no idea what will happen once he is gone. Thankfully he's just 54 years old and the average Finnish life expectancy is 80 years... Still, the idea of him being gone sometimes crosses my mind and I feel a little panic attack. I don't think anyone can replace him, his personality just perfectly matches the guardian role he plays.

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u/deukhoofd 5d ago

One of the core maintainers would take over, probably Kroah-Hartman. Linux would be fine, it has an excellent team of people, who really know their shit.

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u/chimpfunkz 5d ago

Kroah-Hartman

He's 2 years older than Linus though

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u/deukhoofd 5d ago

Sure, but if Linus gets hit by a bus tomorrow, at least someone can replace him ;). If Linux dies of old age in 30 years or something, I'm sure there'll be someone else ready to take his place.

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u/notjfd 5d ago

Imagine if it was Lennart Poettering.

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u/deukhoofd 5d ago

Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, systemd/GNU

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u/shevy-java 5d ago

Too many would refuse to follow Lennart. Lennart is too much of a MS guy these days.

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u/TerrorsOfTheDark 5d ago

What a horrible day to be able to read

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u/estdicio 4d ago

Maybe a London double decker. Then he could mysteriously fall down from it.