Richard Stallman
Richard Matthew Stallman (/ˈstɔːlmən/ STAWL-mən; born March 16, 1953), also known by his initials, rms, is a seminal figure in the free software movement. He is the founder of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and the GNU Project, both of which have played pivotal roles in the development and advocacy of free software.
Early Life and Education
Stallman was born in New York City and exhibited an early interest in mathematics and computing. He attended Harvard University, where he majored in physics while also working as a programmer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His experiences at MIT's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory profoundly influenced his views on software freedom.
The GNU Project
In 1983, Stallman announced the creation of the GNU Project, which aims to develop a complete Unix-like operating system composed entirely of free software. The name "GNU" is a recursive acronym for "GNU's Not Unix." The GNU Project laid the groundwork for many software tools that have become essential to the free software ecosystem, including the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) and GNU Emacs.
Free Software Foundation
In 1985, Stallman founded the Free Software Foundation (FSF) to support the GNU Project and promote software freedom. The FSF defines free software by four essential freedoms: the freedom to run the program, study and change the program, redistribute copies, and distribute modified versions. The foundation also produced the GNU General Public License, a copyleft license that ensures these freedoms are preserved in derivative works.
GNU Emacs
One of Stallman's most significant contributions is GNU Emacs, an extensible, customizable text editor. Initially based on Gosling Emacs, GNU Emacs quickly became a cornerstone of the GNU Project and remains one of the most popular text editors among programmers.
Philosophy and Activism
Stallman is not only a programmer but also a vocal advocate for software freedom. He has written extensively on the ethical and social implications of software ownership and intellectual property, which he often contrasts with the principles of the open-source software movement.
Impact on Linux and the Naming Controversy
While the Linux kernel was developed independently by Linus Torvalds, Stallman argues that the operating system should be called GNU/Linux because it combines the GNU system's tools and the Linux kernel. This naming controversy highlights Stallman's belief in the importance of recognizing the contributions of the GNU Project to modern computing.
Legacy
Stallman's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of software development, intellectual property, and digital rights. His advocacy for free software has influenced numerous projects and organizations, including the Free Software Movement of India and the free-culture movement.