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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Official vs FOSS software? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Sorry if this isn't the right place to ask this, I couldn't find a linux-no-stupid-questions community lol.

I'm migrating again to linux, and working on Linux Mint for now to avoid a huge change due to my upcoming program for school soon where I won't have extra time to fiddle with things. So I'm trying to get everything set up, and download my most used applications, but I'm trying to figure out - should I be downloading the official software if it's available, or is it better to find a FOSS alternative instead? I plan to go with the apps that come with it like the libre office instead of Microsoft, obviously, but I was looking at Discord and there is what appears to be an official looking option in the software manager app, and below it a FOSS WebCord option. Or, if this one isn't the official, I could always go to the discord site and get it from them if they have it available.

Does it matter which option I go with? Is it better to go with official software if possible? Or is it better to go with FOSS for more control/privacy?

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

On Mint go with the apps in the store. This OS is often recommended to beginners for two reasons 1. The familiar interface and 2. Stability.

You'll have less grief with store apps, and they're usually foss anyway. Flatpak apps are fine but can collectively get a bit disk and ram hungry. Either version will work fine though

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

Linux Mint (and I say this as a Linux Mint user) and its store has caused so many issues for users on one project I'm involved with and probably with another too.

Basically we don't yet support flatpak for a number of reasons and the 'community' flatpak option shown in the store comes with a bunch of broken features (if you dont want to get into flatseal etc) as well as a less then obvious way for users to upgrade versions.

For a particular application i would go what they actually support and have as an installation option.