Subject: Re: bug#12339: Bug: rm -fr . doesn't dir depth first deletion yet it is documented to do so.

From: Linda Walsh <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 06 Sep 2012 03:56:19 -0700

Jim Meyering wrote:
> Thanks for the patch, but it would be pretty rotten for GNU rm to make
> it so "rm -rf ." deletes everything under ".", while all other vendor
> rm programs diagnose the POSIX-mandated error.  People would curse us
> for making GNU rm remove their precious files when they accidentally ran
> that command. 
---

Just like people who ran "rm -fr * in /" and didn't get their POSIX
mandated behavior, would curse you?

You are playing Mommy, to people and not allowing them to do what
they are asking the computer to do.

You disabling rm's ability to function.  There is no way for it to
remove files in it's directory and not the current directory without
this patch.  It cripples the program.  To do the same job requires
use of auxiliary programs.

** Users would already be cursing those who deliberately crippled
** usability in the name of compatibility.

Unix didn't have Windows-ish mentality on the command line...
but wouldn't unix users curse those who brought such to the unix
command line?

"There needs to be someone willing to to step up for user
freedom, and Gnu used to be that... but it seems they are
becoming corrupt like every big organization" -- is that what
you wish to become Gnu's epitaph?  Users who saw Gnu as
a freedom supporting symbol will see this as "selling-out"
functionality in order to become respectable.

You are claim users would curse not being able to get an error message
for something they deliberately type in.

Whereas I describe users who curse due to you removing
functionality.   You really would rather support those
who are looking for error messages over those looking for
functionality?  I would question the wisdom of taking
that approach, especially when you've been clearly called on it.

GNU needs to be clear their priorities -- maintaining software
freedom, or bowing down to corporate powers...  POSIX isn't
a user group -- it's an enforcement arm of a Corporate
Entity that seeks to create a proprietary vision (it is owned
by them -- Unix, POSIX, The OpenGroup... are all owned by
the corporate entity who holds those as assets -- (see the legal
pages at their website:
like http://www.opengroup.org/content/legal-frequently-asked-questions).

Since when does Gnu put corporate interests before users?