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Man of the Century: Linus Torvalds?

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 04 Aug 1999 08:03 BST

Time magazine, like every other publication in the world, is planning a top 100 important people of the century list. And at No. 15 is none other than the father of Linux, Linus Torvalds -- and that's his rank without the bulk of Linux fandom rallying behind him.

Can Torvalds catch and surpass No. 14 (Madonna)? Maybe. You might expect Linux fans, many of whom have never met a poll they didn't like, to be crowding into Time's virtual polling booth to push their man over the top.

So far, though, the Linuxites aren't rallying. Ultimately, some may. But in that speakeasy of the Linux world, Slashdot, many Linux users are taking the Time's Man of the Century survey seriously. Yes, Torvalds is great, they say, but there are greater people in the century.

This hasn't stopped other ballet box stuffers from pushing forward their own heroes. For example, is Yitzhak Rabin, a great martyred leader, really the most important person of the 20th century? According to the Time's poll standings at present, he is.

And what about Charles Aznavour, the "Frank Sinatra of France" coming in at No. 1 on the popular entertainer sub-list? A wonderful singer and actor, yes, but outside of Truffaut film festivals attendees and cabaret music aficionados, how many people even recognise the name?

Microsoft CEO Bill Gates currently is No. 17 on Time's list. That fact alone might inspire Linux participants. What Linux supporters wouldn't be pleased to see their man ranked above Mr. Windows?