Linus Torvalds Quotes & Sayings

“If Microsoft ever does applications for Linux it means I've won.”

“By staying neutral, I end up being somebody that everybody can trust. Even if they don't always agree with my decisions, they know I'm not working against them.”

“There are lots of Linux users who don't care how the kernel works, but only want to use it. That is a tribute to how good Linux is.”

“Most good programmers do programming not because they expect to get paid or get adulation by the public, but because it is fun to program.”

“Once you start thinking more about where you want to be than about making the best product, you're screwed.”

“Software is like sex: it's better when it's free.”

“I often compare open source to science. To where science took this whole notion of developing ideas in the open and improving on other peoples' ideas and making it into what science is today and the incredible advances that we have had. And I compare that to witchcraft and alchemy, where openness was something you didn't do.”

“Microsoft isn't evil, they just make really crappy operating systems.”

“I want my office to be quiet. The loudest thing in the room - by far - should be the occasional purring of the cat.”

“I'd much rather have 15 people arguing about something than 15 people splitting into two camps, each side convinced it's right and not talking to the other.”