The "Say Lignux" Campaign

GNU's Not Linux: A Primer on Nomenclature, a presentation by Richard M. Stallman. Part serious argument, part deadpan satire. Lignux (pronounced LIG-NUKES) is an anagram of GNU and LINUX.

What is "Lignux"?

Lignux is a compact term for the GNU/Linux operating system, coined as an alternative to writing the full "GNU/Linux" each time. It is:

  • An anagram of the words "GNU" and "LINUX"
  • Pronounced "LIG-NUKES"
  • Represents the GNU/Linux system and its use of the GNU platform, concisely
  • Takes no extra time to say or type compared to just "Linux"

The name was proposed by Richard M. Stallman (founder of the Free Software Foundation and the GNU Project) as part of a 2013 campaign to promote the full, accurate name of the operating system and the philosophy of software freedom behind it.

A note on tone: the presentation is deliberately satirical in places. The "(J) 2013" copyright notice means Joking, a play on the (C) copyright symbol. The arguments for saying GNU/Linux are genuine; the proposed campaign tactics are intentionally over-the-top. The slides work best read as both earnest advocacy and self-aware humour.

Why say GNU/Linux? (slides 3–6)

Stallman has advocated use of the name "GNU/Linux" since 1994. The presentation makes three core arguments:

It is disingenuous

Calling the OS only by the name of its kernel is misleading. Darwin's kernel is called XNU, yet nobody calls Darwin (or macOS) "XNU." Calling our system "Linux" ignores the contributions of free software and the GNU framework.

It fails to teach

Saying only "Linux" fails to teach people about free software. If you enjoy GNU/Linux and other free software, you must teach others its value. The name "GNU/Linux" is a direct pointer to that value.

Freedom requires vigilance

"If you can't take an extra second to say GNU/Linux, how did you have time to install GNU/Linux?" Freedom requires teaching. There is only one alternative to saying "GNU/Linux", and that alternative is silence.

"GNU/Linux" is pronounced "GNU slash Linux" or "GNU plus Linux." Not using it undermines understanding of what the system actually is and where it comes from.

The campaign projects (slides 10–14)

The "Say Lignux" campaign targets three areas, with tactics that range from earnest to deliberately absurd:

The Linux Kernel Mailing List

  • Convince LKML administrators to rename the list the "Lignux Kernel Mailing List."
  • Use of the term across 8,000+ subscribers will assure its propagation.
  • Send a point-by-point response to the list every time a user doesn't say "Lignux."

The media

  • Mass-mail media outlets with this presentation.
  • Refuse interviews or press coverage unless the writer agrees to use the term "Lignux."
  • Post this text as comments on news websites and forums until they agree to say "Lignux."

GNU/Linux distributions

  • Engage GNU/Linux distribution developers and staff directly.
  • Perform ad hoc "soapbox talks" randomly on the floor at GNU/Linux conferences.
  • Send point-by-point responses to mailing lists every time a user doesn't say "Lignux."
  • Mass emails to any relevant address that includes this text about saying "Lignux."

RMS's own tactics

  • Add this presentation to his repertoire.
  • Refuse to give other talks unless allowed to include the "Say Lignux" slot.
  • Use the term "Lignux" throughout all content: speeches, websites, everything.

If Lignux is not for you (slide 15)

If you cannot or will not say "Lignux," or simply don't favour the Linux kernel:

  • You may try to install and run the GNU Hurd kernel instead.
  • The Linux kernel is, after all, just a stopgap until GNU Hurd has been fine-tuned.
  • Migrate today.

GNU Hurd is the GNU Project's own kernel, a microkernel-based system that was the original target before Linux became available. Development continues; it runs on x86 hardware today.

Full presentation slides

All 16 slides from the original 2013 presentation. Share freely under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Slide 1: GNU's Not Linux: A Primer on Nomenclature, by Richard M. Stallman
01: GNU's Not Linux: A Primer on Nomenclature
Slide 2: Allow me to introduce myself: Richard M. Stallman, founder of FSF and GNU
02: Allow me to introduce myself
Slide 3: GNU/Linux nomenclature: why we advocate for the full name since 1994
03: GNU/Linux nomenclature
Slide 4: Why say GNU/Linux?: it is disingenuous to name an OS only by its kernel
04: Why say GNU/Linux?
Slide 5: GNU/Linux: pronounced GNU slash Linux or GNU plus Linux
05: "GNU/Linux"
Slide 6: So-called difficulties: it only takes an extra second; freedom requires vigilance
06: So-called difficulties
Slide 7: You may say Lignux: pronounced LIG-NUKES, anagram of GNU and LINUX
07: You may say "Lignux"
Slide 8: Lignux is too cryptic?: that doesn't matter, being right matters
08: "Lignux is too cryptic?"
Slide 9: Say Lignux: better than rejected alternatives GNULLIX, NIGLUХ, XINGLU
09: Say Lignux
Slide 10: The Say Lignux Campaign: advocate and promote use of the term Lignux
10: The Say Lignux Campaign
Slide 11: Say Lignux projects: Linux Kernel Mailing List campaign
11: Projects: Linux Kernel Mailing List
Slide 12: Say Lignux projects: media campaign tactics
12: Projects: The media
Slide 13: Say Lignux projects: GNU/Linux distribution outreach
13: Projects: GNU/Linux distributions
Slide 14: Say Lignux projects: RMS's own tactics
14: Projects: RMS's own tactics
Slide 15: If Lignux is not for you: install GNU Hurd instead; Linux is just a stopgap
15: If Lignux is not for you
Slide 16: Thanks for having me: (J) 2013 Richard M. Stallman
16: Thanks for having me | (J) 2013 RMS

STAY FREE, STAY FREE SOFTWARE!

Further reading