I, and many Gentoo users and fans, have just found out that the Gentoo Foundation ceased to exist a few weeks ago because the current trustees failed to renew and file mundane NPO paperwork in New Mexico. See this discussion on the Gentoo mailing lists and this blog post by Gentoo Founder and ex-Chief Architect Daniel Robbins (drobbins). Even more shocking is the fact that no hint of this monumental bungle is mentioned on gentoo.org.
And so, the non-profit foundation behind one of the most innovative and well-respected Linux distributions is dead because the leadership went MIA and neglected to file a few pieces of paper.
Fortunately, Gentoo Linux will outlive the Gentoo Foundation as long as the developers and users will it so. Many have cited the fact that Gentoo only made one official release in 2007 as a sign of impending doom. Some do not realize that Gentoo uses a rolling update system. Updates and improvements were made to Gentoo without pause throughout 2007. One “emerge -u world” updates a Gentoo installation to the most current version. Whereas most distributions like Ubuntu need new releases to implement drastic improvements, and encourage users to perform clean installs of new releases, Gentoo users never need an official release aside from saving time on fresh installations on new computers. Gentoo Linux might have slowed down and made mistakes that prevented a flashy 2007.1 release, but it is far from dead.
Gentoo Founder Daniel Robbins has offered to return and serve as President, a part-time leader of the Gentoo Foundation. There is no question that Gentoo Linux has suffered in terms of popularity and public opinion since Daniel Robbin’s resignation as Chief Architect. Perhaps Gentoo would be in better shape now if Daniel Robbins had remained the leader of the project. Perhaps Robbins’ strong guiding hand is just what Gentoo needs now. However, I’m worried:
- drobbins left Gentoo voluntarily; he obviously did not have the desire and/or ability to continue leading Gentoo. Is that different now?
- drobbins is only offering to return in a part-time capacity. Since the project has suffered from leaders and developers with different priorities going MIA, do we need yet another part-time leader?
- drobbins returned to Gentoo a few months ago as a regular developer. He left a day or two later over an argument on the mailing lists (satirical account here). Can he do any better this time around in managing a community in turmoil, with tensions running higher than ever?
- Some Gentoo developers and leaders seem to be very much against drobbins’ return. See Tsunam’s take on drobbins’ offer for example.
Nevertheless, I do hope drobbins’ offer is accepted. Call me a fanboy, but I believe drastic measures are needed to rescue the project quickly, and drobbins is best suited to serve as Gentoo Dictator (temporarily?).
Whether drobbins returns or not, reports of Gentoo’s demise are very much premature.
Good luck, Gentoo! You truly stand out in the crowded field of copycat Linux distributions. You captured my heart and that of countless others.
If you liked this post, please subscribe to my feed. Thanks for visiting!
