this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2023
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Linux

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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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Taken from the CompTIA IT Fundamentals Exam Guide book (2nd edition, published 2021). I'm not sure if they fixed this in newer versions, if at all.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ehh... Not really incredibly outdated? I mean most Linux systems with a few exceptions (looking at you Alpine) use gnu software in them, and it is a somewhat fair argument to say that a kernel isn't an entire operating system and other factors should be considered. Also why the quotation marks? It is a Linux joke, and if you don't like our humor than you can just kinda... Ignore it? I mean it's not like someone has you chained to a chair, forced to only look at linuxmemes.

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

First of all, this copypasta has never been said by anyone at the FSF or from the GNU project. People falsly attribute it to rms even though he has already made his thoughts clear on the matter. It's just misinformation and a bastardized take on the naming discussion.

I mean most Linux systems with a few exceptions (looking at you Alpine) use gnu software in them

It's not "GNU software in a linux system", again, GNU is the name of the operating system. GNU packages were developed for that operating system. Alpine is not GNU, it is a NonGNU/Busybox + Linux operating system mainly targeted for embedded devices. Linux is not a GNU package, but was liberated by Torvalds to be included in the GNU operating system which we now refer to completely as GNU/Linux.

and it is a somewhat fair argument to say that a kernel isn't an entire operating system and other factors should be considered

Such as the freedom of software writers and computer users. Calling the operating system "Linux" is taking away (even if not by intent) the very principle of freedom of the GNU operating system. It isn't "somewhat fair", far too many people who use Free software do not understand it entirely and thus are vulnerable to closing their hands from further liberation.

Also why the quotation marks? It is a Linux joke, and if you don't like our humor than you can just kinda... Ignore it?

If "Linux humor" is repeating the same 5 or so jokes and endless banter about the same topics then it isn't productive. Especially if that humor is just spreading misinformation in service of a cheap gag made by others. I'm just calling it out when I see it because I'm done giving a lot of yall the benefit of the doubt anymore.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So any time someone posts the "I'd just like to interject for a moment..." speech, we should now copy and paste the "First of all, this copypasta has never been said..." speech in response, thus making the meme a) longer, b) interactive, c) technically correct?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Yeah, it is kinda funny how pissed he got at me.