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 This will most likely result in many pcs being immediately outdated, and prone to viruses.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] 39 points 10 months ago (3 children)

Who the fuck throws out their computer when it's still working???

[–] [email protected] 30 points 10 months ago (1 children)

A lot of businesses. I've stocked an entire network lab out of waste bins from buildings with tech companies in them. Laptops, monitors, network gear, cabling. I once scored a whole box of 100W USB-C chargers.

You could make a living reselling stuff online.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago

I'm sorry, 100W USB-C is throwaway stuff now? Wut?

[–] [email protected] 18 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (3 children)

Federal, state and local government , multinational companies and boomers.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Literally just talked to my mother-in-law who was talking about throwing out her laptop because Windows 10 is losing support and she can't upgrade to Windows 11.

It would probably run linux perfectly.

But I would never put linux on it. I am not doing tech support for my MIL who just admitted to me that she "locked down her machine because she fixed the registry issues windows has and turned on ipv6 on her router" and alluded to changing other settings but she cant understand why her "wifi keeps dropping out" and thinks its because the neighbors installed a ring doorbell.

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

Except for that last part, sounds somewhat plausible...

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

Doorbell is wireless, from temu, and is missing FCC compliance sticker.

Just a hunch.

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

Don't let her throw just send me😫

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

State governments usually are required to place all of their computers up for sale through surplus. (Hard drives usually removed and destroyed). I have been through that process at a State College and a University. They aren't just thrown away. I imagine there is a similar process for federal computer.

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

True they give it to "recyclers" who try to sell what they can and throw the rest. I know this because I used to work for the "recyclers"

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

Yeah, when access to raspberry pi's and such was none existant I knew a few people who would pick up old Optiplex computers and such to use as media servers and such. Old dells used to be very reliable. Throw whatever distro on there gui or not, and the shitty graphics cards wouldn't matter much

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

All of whom have processes software and employees who are not prepared to swap to Linux

[–] [email protected] -4 points 10 months ago (1 children)