For me, Linux is not an OPERATING system but an OPERATIONAL one.
I mean (besides any technical definition of whatever an OS is) that
the most important feature is that "Linux" WORKS.
And why?
Because there is a kernel to support a good software suite (the GNU one,
not to name it).
A better way to appreciate the relationship between those components
is to look at the evolution of "Linux".
An example.
Soon there will be Dual Pentium Pro MB at an affordable price.
Who can set up the multi-processor kernel you (I) dream?
-> The "Linux" kernel team
Who can give you the Parallelized (insert some 'l' where needed...) C++
compiler you (I) need?
-> The GNU Project team
There is no reason to put one feature ahead the other one, because the
two legs are needed to walk, and the Linux adventure just begin (for me
at least).
Christophe