Controversy is nothing new when it comes to systemd. Many people find this new Linux init system to be inherently flawed in most ways, yet it is still gaining traction with major distros like Arch Linux, openSUSE, Fedora, and soon both Ubuntu and Debian GNU/Linux. The adoption of systemd for Debian 8 "Jessie" has been particularly fraught with strife and animosity.
Some have described the systemd adoption process as having been a "coup", while others are vowing to stick with Debian 7 as long as possible before moving to another distro. Others are so upset by what they see as a complete betrayal of the Debian and open source communities that there is serious discussion about forking Debian. Regardless of one's stance toward systemd, it cannot be argued that it has become one of the most divisive and disruptive changes in the long history of the Debian project, threatening to destroy both the project and the community that has built up around it.
(Score: 1) by canopic jug on Sunday September 28 2014, @02:36PM
Or DRM, to follow on with more speculation. There is no technical advantage to the architecture of systemd that I can see, only disadvantages -- unless. Unless the goal is to be a blob between the kernel and userspace and restrict and monitor all system components and data.
The part that I find particularly strange and unfortunate is the fact that it is being slammed through important distros like Debian. Getting it into Debian means it spreads to downstream distros like Ubuntu and Knoppix, to name just two. But it also means further disregard for healthy software engineering practices. I could have seen either phasing it in over several releases and/or offering it as an option along side Upstart and Openrc. However, just slamming it through reeks. It raises big red flags about the process and the people pushing systemd.
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