this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2025
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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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[–] [email protected] 37 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Let's be honest here

I like Linux as much as the next guy

...... But a violent kick to the 'nards is still more pleasant than Windows 11, so this is a "Luigi Wins By Doing Absolutely Nothing" scenario.

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

Yep, which also explains why a distro that comes with Cinnamon won...

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Now, now. Cinnamon is a perfectly competent DE. Gets out of the way. Does what it's supposed to.

Let us not treat it like it is Gnome.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

I like Windows 11. It has the best HDR support of any OS, bar none. AutoHDR is a godsend.

My only complaint is about the taskbar, which I fixed by installing StartAllBack.

[–] [email protected] 36 points 1 week ago (1 children)

No ads in operating system. Simple.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 35 points 1 week ago

Kowalski! Analysis!

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 week ago (4 children)

I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX. Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called “Linux,” and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project. There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use.

Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called “Linux” distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.

-- Richard Stallman

[–] CHKMRK 9 points 1 week ago

I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as Linux, is in fact, systemd/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, systemd plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning systemd system made useful by the systemd corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX. Many computer users run a modified version of the systemd system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of systemd which is widely used today is often called "Linux", and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the systemd system, developed by the systemd developers. There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the systemd operating system: the whole system is basically systemd with Linux added, or systemd/Linux. All the so-called "Linux" distributions are really distributions of systemd/Linux.

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

I think it wasn't actually Stallman - it's a common misattribution.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago (2 children)

It was Stallman. There was just a very little detail that was not exactly as he said, but otherwise entire quote is from him: https://www.gnu.org/gnu/incorrect-quotation.en.html

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

So, kaboom ?

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (6 children)

Off only the top of my head.

-Potentially faster installation

-Free

-More control

-Many distributions from LinuxFromScratch to Mint, making it meet the interests of nearly every demographic

-Wonderful sense of community

-No spying

-No bloatware depending on distro

-No ads

-Many window managers supporting different workflows

-Incredible command line power

-Easy installation of software with package managers

-Less malware

-Fully customizeable ux/ui

-Can uninstall anything you don't want

-Will help you learn how a computer works at a deeper level if you want to

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

~~Potentially~~ faster installation

Particularly when you're flashing the ISO you downloaded from MS to USB and it doesn't work unless you use MS's magic tool. Thus dropping you into the bootstrap paradox.

Especially because it gets partway through the install before failing to load NVMe drivers complaining there is no installation media to load them from.

It turns out it's faster to install Ubuntu and download one of MS's windows VM's and use that to download and flash a USB than actually install Windows 11.

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

Good video!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

He's based.

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