Open source 'wounding' makes Linux chief quit

Godfather of open source and hero of the Linux community, Eric Raymond, is to step down as leader of the movement that has shaken the computing world to the core.

The independent developer shot to fame last year for his work on high-profile open source software and his outspoken attacks on Microsoft in favour of alternative operating system, Linux.

The millions of developers who make up the open source community have recently been arguing among themselves about the future of Linux. Raymond feels the internal disruption has been taken out on him.

In what is essentially a recruitment advert for a successor on his Web site, he laments: "What will hurt you the most is the people you love, the tribe you've sweated blood to serve. Because they'll turn on you. They will. Not all of them, not even most of them, but enough of them to be wounding."

But he adds: "Don't pity me - I walked into this job with my eyes open."

Those interested in applying should visit http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/