Voting Station

Linus Torvalds

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Computer Tech

The Resume

    (December 28, 1969- )
    Born in Helsinki, Finland
    Developed Linux kernel, basis of the open source Linux operating system (1991)
    Coauthor of autobiography ‘Just for Fun: The Story of an Accidental Revolutionary’ (2001)
    Mascot is a blue penguin called Tux

Why he might be annoying:

    He says he was an ugly, ‘beaverish runt’ when a child.
    His parents were student radicals during the 1960s.
    He has been accused of plagiarizing software.
    His most common outfit is a free Linux polo shirt.
    He developed Linux mainly because he thought other operating systems were ‘crap.’
    Some felt he was selling out when he accepted a corporate job in California.
    His license plate reads ‘Coffee, chocolate, men: some things are better rich.’

Why he might not be annoying:

    He champions software that is free to all and can be modified by anyone.
    He has written about 2% of the Linux kernel and decides what new code will be added to it.
    He is embarrassed by hype presenting him as an idealistic alternative to Bill Gates.
    Linux may be the world’s biggest collaborative project ever.
    He turned down a position at a Linux affiliated company to maintain his objectivity.
    His wife (a Finnish karate champion) asked him out while enrolled in a computer class he was teaching.
    He says he is more interested in having a good time than becoming wealthy.

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 17 Votes: 5.88% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 15 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 8 Votes: 12.50% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 98 Votes: 46.94% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 18 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 95 Votes: 47.37% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying