http://www.linux-mag.com/2003-01/kernal_01.html
One of the more metaphysical questions relating to Linux is: "what is it?" -- this because the only portion of the OS which is truly, madly, deeply Linux is the kernel. All of the rest of the supporting 'pariphernalia' represents Something Else -- almost universally GNU, but not necessarily. The sorts of users which Linux must serve if it is to become a viable desktop alternative to Windows will suffer severe M.E.G.O. in relation to such a debate, and this is worth hoisting inboard by Linux enthusiasts.
That said, and it certainly has been, by me at least, the Linux kernel development has some of the same flavour as watching WINDOWS open into new versions, in terms of a spectator sport, and this article discusses some of the kernel foundations and what directions are likely for its future development.
Posted by jho at January 15, 2004 10:16 AM