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About this quote

What does it mean?
Torvalds describes his early work on a personal hobby operating system intended for specific hardware, distinguishing it from professional projects like GNU.
In plain terms
He started making a small OS for his own fun on old computers.
What can you take from it?
Great projects can begin as personal hobbies.

Where it applies

  • starting a side project
  • explaining personal goals

Putting it to work

  • begin with personal interests
  • set realistic scope

Questions to consider

  • How do personal interests drive innovation?
  • What defines a professional vs hobby project?

Another view

The initial modesty contrasts with the eventual impact of the project.

More from Linus Torvalds

  1. I can (well, almost) hear you asking yourselves 'why?'. Hurd will be out in a year (or two, or next month, who knows), and I've already got minix.

    Permalink to quote #2

  2. Dijkstra probably hates me.

    Permalink to quote #3

  3. I have an ego the size of a small planet

    Permalink to quote #4

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