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'''Benevolent Dictator For Life''' or '''BDFL''' is a title given to a small number of [[open source software development]] leaders. The term |
'''Benevolent Dictator For Life''' or '''BDFL''' is a title given to a small number of [[open source software development]] leaders. The term was coined in 1995 to refer to [[Guido van Rossum]], creator of the [[Python (programming language)|Python programming language]].<ref name="origin">{{cite web|url=http://www.artima.com/weblogs/viewpost.jsp?thread=235725|title=Origin of BDFL|author=Guido van Rossum|date=July 31, 2008|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application-Development/Python-Creator-Scripts-Inside-Google/|title=Python Creator Scripts Inside Google|publisher=www.eweek.com|accessdate=2008-05-13|last=|first=}}</ref> The title originated shortly after van Rossum joined the Corporation for National Research Initiatives ([[CNRI]]). It first appeared on a follow-up mail by [[Ken Manheimer]] to a meeting trying to create a semi-formal group overseeing Python development and workshops.<ref name="origin"/> |
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| ⚫ | BDFL should not be confused with the more common term for open source leaders, "[[Enlightened absolutism#Benevolent dictatorship|benevolent dictator]]", which was popularized by [[Eric S. Raymond|Eric Raymond's]] essay [[Homesteading the Noosphere]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://catb.org/~esr/writings/homesteading/homesteading/ar01s16.html|title=Homesteading the Noosphere|author=Eric S. Raymond|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref>. Among other topics related to [[hacker culture]], Raymond elaborates on how the nature of open source forces the "dictatorship" to keep itself benevolent, since a strong disagreement can lead to the [[Fork (software development)|forking]] of the project under the rule of new leaders. |
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The term "benevolent dictator for life" was coined in 1995 to refer to Guido van Rossum.<ref name="origin">{{cite web|url=http://www.artima.com/weblogs/viewpost.jsp?thread=235725|title=Origin of BDFL|author=Guido van Rossum|date=July 31, 2008|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application-Development/Python-Creator-Scripts-Inside-Google/|title=Python Creator Scripts Inside Google|publisher=www.eweek.com|accessdate=2008-05-13|last=|first=}}</ref> The title originated shortly after van Rossum joined the Corporation for National Research Initiatives ([[CNRI]]). It first appeared on a follow-up mail by [[Ken Manheimer]] to a meeting trying to create a semi-formal group overseeing Python development and workshops.<ref name="origin"/> |
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== Examples of people sometimes referred to as Benevolent Dictator For Life == |
== Examples of people sometimes referred to as Benevolent Dictator For Life == |
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Revision as of 21:04, 30 May 2009
Benevolent Dictator For Life or BDFL is a title given to a small number of open source software development leaders. The term was coined in 1995 to refer to Guido van Rossum, creator of the Python programming language.[1][2] The title originated shortly after van Rossum joined the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI). It first appeared on a follow-up mail by Ken Manheimer to a meeting trying to create a semi-formal group overseeing Python development and workshops.[1]
BDFL should not be confused with the more common term for open source leaders, "benevolent dictator", which was popularized by Eric Raymond's essay Homesteading the Noosphere.[3]. Among other topics related to hacker culture, Raymond elaborates on how the nature of open source forces the "dictatorship" to keep itself benevolent, since a strong disagreement can lead to the forking of the project under the rule of new leaders.
Examples of people sometimes referred to as Benevolent Dictator For Life
- Guido van Rossum[4][5], creator of Python
- Patrick Volkerding, the creator of Slackware[6]
- Mark Shuttleworth calls himself the Self-Appointed Benevolent Dictator For Life, or SABDFL, and the Ubuntu community often uses this name to refer to him[7][8]
- Adrian Holovaty and Jacob Kaplan-Moss, for Django[9][10]
- Dries Buytaert founder and leader of the Drupal project [11][12]
References
- ^ a b Guido van Rossum (July 31, 2008). "Origin of BDFL". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ^ "Python Creator Scripts Inside Google". www.eweek.com. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
- ^ Eric S. Raymond. "Homesteading the Noosphere". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ^ "The Four Hundred--Next Up on the System i: Python". www.itjungle.com. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
- ^ Guido van Rossum "Benevolent dictator for life". Linux Format. 2005-02-01. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
- ^ http://www.slackware.com/about/
- ^ http://www.ubuntu.com/community/processes/governance
- ^ "Ubuntu founder defuses rumors of impending Microsoft deal". arstechnica.com. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
- ^ "Django committers".
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "DjangoCon Article". Retrieved 2008-09-09.
- ^ "Dries set to be married!".
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Urban Dictionary: BDFL".
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help)