Linux creator is taking time off, apologizes for ‘uncalled for’ behavior

Creator of open-source software Linux, Linus Torvalds, is taking time off and apologizing for his “unprofessional and uncalled for” behavior, Torvalds said in an email to members of the Linux community Sunday.

“I need to change some of my behavior, and I want to apologize to the people that my personal behavior hurt and possibly drove away from kernel development entirely,” Torvalds said. “I am going to take time off and get some assistance on how to understand people’s emotions and respond appropriately.”

Linux is the open-sourced operating system that’s the basis for other operating systems like Google ‘s Android for phones and ChromeOS for computers. Many credit Torvalds for creating the foundation for a lot of today’s modern operating systems.

It’s something of a striking self-reflection from a noted software giant, at a time when CEOs and corporate leaders are increasingly falling under outside scrutiny. Torvalds is still heavily involved in the Linux community, and has tapped developer Greg Kroah-Hartman to take over his responsibilities.

“This is not some kind of ‘I’m burnt out, I need to just go away’ break. I’m not feeling like I don’t want to continue maintaining Linux. Quite the reverse,” Torvalds said. “I very much *do* want to continue to do this project that I’ve been working on for almost three decades.”

Source: CNBC