It would definitely be nicer to see the Linux community grow here.
But hey. I'm on Linux and I'm here with y'all. :)
this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2025
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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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Why should it leave? It's good to be omnipresent! You have another linux community here and in many other places.
Many of them are single-issue Linux users and don't concern themselves with FOSS philosophy
Linux is ubiquitous, it's everywhere, even on Reddit, even under your bed
If you have a Smart Bed^TM^, Linux might even be in your bed.
You're talking as if "The linux community" was one single bunch of people.
Reddit isn't Linux HQ and nor is Lemmy, nor is Facebook. #linux still active on IRC too, but not there either.
100%. I'm relatively new to Linux and to the western world as a whole. 😅
side note but you dont need to use proprietary android phones you can flash custom roms to most like GrapheneOS LiniageOS or CalyxOS or you can find a linux phone os like ubuntu touch
Linux is mailing lists, if anything. It’s definitely not Reddit.
The mods there were crap back in the day. Keep them on reddit.
Subreddits can't move, they won't be subreddits then. There are other Linux forums outside Reddit -- like this one!
Even if they did... Reddit would just find new mods and reopen it. They wouldn't let it remain abandoned.
This kind of answers my question. lol. I didn't think about it that way. I thought they can just bring it all here and that one gets ~~closer~~ closed or something. I forgot how reddit works.
It's how they kept everything from dying when they killed third party apps. They openly banned and replaced mods that were keeping their subreddits locked. It was a shitshow, but unfortunately reddit still exists.
Some of us did leave, that's why you see us here
There's two reasons why r/linux is popular on Reddit:
- Reddit is popular
- r/linux is popular
Um, subreddits remain because they still have subscribers. That's all.
The kernel on GitHub is just a mirror - the primary source is on kernel.org
Yeah.. would have taken OP 10 seconds to check that. Dumb.
- Not everyone that uses Linux is against proprietary software or only uses FOSS.
- There are people that just heard of Linux, are just trying it out, or have an issue, and already use Reddit, or is what the search engine points them to go for help, or to ask questions.
- Reddit has a lot more reach for the common people than any other platform at the moment, there are still people that prefer to ask on Reddit, than go to a specific forum or another platform to ask (If I remember right, it still happens with some apps like Jellyfin that moved out of Reddit, but people still ask there)
These are just a few of the reasons that come to my mind.
Also institutional inertia is difficult to overcome in general.
This is so weird to me. Maybe it's about who you are, or who you run with, but when I saw that Discord was about to go that way, I messaged my Pathfinder group and every single person there immediately hit me back with, "so where to next?"
That's what, five people?
It's a lot different when it's thousands and thousands
That's why I said it might have something to do with who you're around.
Reddit Linux are just a bunch of gaming chuds. and I say that as a gamer.
They'll take time to understand the landscape and there's nothing wrong with that, yes reddit is dogshit but you won't convince anyone by just telling them. They just have to look around for themselves.
It is the censoring, from the top down. That is like a brick wall on reddit that will hit anyone in no time.
Look at corporate members at https://www.linuxfoundation.org/about/members
There is a difference between Linux, the kernel, as a tool and free software the ideology. A lot of contributors to Linux are there for the money. They contribute resources, including money but also usually staff, without caring for abstract concepts like "freedom", or they might even actively (arguably) work against it when they are strategically establishing walled gardens and exclusive stores.
So... I'm not saying that's OK but I believe by confusing the ideology with the tool used for profit by gigantic corporations we are being unrealistic.
I'm having trouble following, you're suggesting that the Linux subreddit continues to exist because of some corporate conspiracy to keep users on commercial media platforms?
I'm not sure where you get the "corporate conspiracy" part. Is anybody in 2025 still not understanding that platforms do everything they can for their users to consume any content available there constantly in order to sell more advertising because that's one of the most profitable business model? Isn't that public knowledge? If it's not public knowledge are you implying it is "secret" despite those very corporations precisely publicly (at least during shareholders meetings) claiming that their strategy is simultaneously user base growth AND user engagement? If so wouldn't that be more ignorance that conspiracy?
Anyway, that's not even my point, rather I was trying to say that it seems OP is interested in Linux for the ethical aspect whereas the corporations listed there are, by definition and by their legal mandate of being for-profit companies, participating in order to improve their bottom line.
Please let me know if I misunderstood your point and/or if I'm still unclear.
Linux isnt only for Foss enjoyers. Plus its good to have the linux community on reddit to help people bring attention to linux. If they move it here it will be even harder to join the community.
Think of /r/linux as a gateway to the world of Foss
Think of it as an advertisement or a road sign. You want your message to reach as many people as possible.
Normies don’t usually find their way to Linux on their own. Hell, most don’t even know a third and fourth option (BSD) exists. By being on as many platforms as possible, more will find their way.
For what it’s worth, GitHub is NOT the place where kernel development takes place, that is just a mirror. Have a look here to see where development happens.
Third option? Solus? Minix? What is the third option!!???! Why don't I know about the mysterious third option?!!!?
Linux is the third option. As far as many normies are concerned the second option is macOS
Damn, that just goes to show how indoctrinated I am. Didn't even occur to me that there's two mainstream OSs outside of Linux out there.
Reddit is unified, Lemmy has a small layer of complexity on top and "sh.itjust.works" is a weird name, maybe the Lemmy system drives to such complicated names. Its not a big deal but I add that to the other causes.
Linux people are afraid of a little added layer of complexity? Please
Additionally, Lemmy would be a hostile place if you happened to be a conservative-leaning Linux user. I know quite a few, but they aren't on Reddit either.
They're on youtube complaining how people should be understanding to everyone's opinion when their opinions are hate, racism, and violence against minorities.
They never speak up when the little guy is being oppressed though, just when they feel their right wing audience feels attacked.
If no one discussed the value of software freedom on proprietary platforms then (hopefully) we'd be preaching to the choir here.
Linux has proprietary binary blobs in it. If any part of a software is proprietary then even if most of it is free then why do people not call "Linux" proprietary? Libre Linux removes those blobs.
It helps keep the more caustic linuxers away from lemmy.
Correct we only want the sour linuxers here.
My experience has been the opposite. People are nicer here.
You are right, it's not very often I see fights here.
Regarding migration to Lemmy, I think it will happen originally and in a few years the majority of questions will be asked here.
The call is coming from inside the house
Because Lemmy is quite silent relatively. It’s a hard sell outside of those who enjoy selfhosting.
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