this post was submitted on 22 Dec 2023
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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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With support ending for Windows 10, the most popular desktop operating system in the world currently, possibly 240 million pcs may be sent to the landfill. This is mostly due to Windows 11’s exorbitant requirements. This will most likely result in many pcs being immediately outdated, and prone to viruses. GNU/Linux may be these computers’ only secure hope, what do you think?

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 10 months ago (3 children)

I think Microsoft should actually be forced to either extend support or give the user one option to be secured. With the later I mean pay for license or click here to automatically choose a Linux distro that the user will be migrated to. It could be Mint or one of MS own Linux distribution with OneDrive preinstalled and links to Office 365 online word. Even install Android could be one option.

This is better than getting all the devices on the landfill.

Remember that 99% don't know what to do with their computer or are lazy. One easy fix should be available.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

This is why we need functioning representative government. Something this big needs regulation.

No entity can own a percentage of the global fucking economy and be less accountable than a member of the UN.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Yes, many other products as well. Not sure why there are no regulations regarding e waste.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago (3 children)

MS own Linux distribution

The thought of this makes me feel a lot of emotions at once. I don't think any are good... If MS made a version of Linux, I can't even fathom how insanely badly they would fuck it up, nor can I imagine it ever happening. I cannot think of an analogy to illustrate this properly really. But yeah, hell freezing over seems like a starting point for describing the likelihood of it.

I have fantasized that MS will come to terms with how shit their core OS is and eventually make something Linux like, based on a lot of free stuff. But that feels 20 years off, and like an absolute fantasy still.

[–] NekkoDroid 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

nor can I imagine it ever happening.

Chief, MS has multiple internal only Linux distros and publically they have CBL-Mariner and I think another that I forgot. They are mostly used with Azure. They really aren't that much more different to what I know to any other (common) distro out there

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Fair enough, but I think anything consumer facing would be a whole different animal

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

I don't think they would do Linux. Better if they did a stripped down version of their OS that can run like Chrome OS. Secured with a web browser. Little maintenance as so much has been removed.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I think with the current staff in the ranks at Microsoft and leadership opening the ecosystem for end user devices, they could build something sound. (Don't sleep on the amount of our world infrastructure running on their OS's. They are trusted for reliability.) A decade ago I had to reprimand by team for showing up to a mtg in Redmond with a stack of MacBooks and iPads. Now staff have iPhones.

The problem is the business looks for a buck in all the wrong parts of their massively horizontal set of goods. So their Linux will be bloated with cross selling adware.

[–] lhamil64 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I'm guessing it'd be cheaper for MS to just keep providing security updates for Win10 than to create a whole Linux distro...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

It probably is. But MS choose how they want to keep the control of the users. But just leaving them like this is just bad. I feel EU should force them to give a solution since the computer came with Windows so it is their responsibility.

One alternative is to give them Chrome OS, or they might prefer building their of version of it.

Today I see a computer as end of life when it is to slow to view webpages. Often like when it is to little RAM available or the CPU is really too slow. Then I think Microsoft could stop caring about it.