Is it just me or is the main reason this is being upvoted so much is because Linus said something without a bad attitude? This isn't a rhetorical question, I honestly want to know.
Someone commented (not sure it was on HN) that Feynman also cultivated a different, more "rough", image in public than he actually was in the real life.
Anything that can motivate people to contribute to FOSS and to make it less intimidating, I like.
I didn't know it was Linus Torvalds response until I went in and read it - so that had little impact on my decision to read it. But it certainly was a contributing factor to me upvoting it. It's insightful and a well chosen response regardless of who wrote it though.
Every time I see a Linux rant making the rounds I think, "oh, what insult did he sling around this time?" It was nice for once to read something where he only insulted himself.
Pity that this is from 10 years ago. It would be nice to see more recent examples of this attitude from Linus.
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8363089
edit: as always, appreciate the downvotes without context! my comment ties together the stories in a meaningful way. or so I thought...