this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2025
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Linux

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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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It's kind of ironic to me that Linux is all for free and open source, but still uses a proprietary platform, and a horrible one at that. Before the fediverse, I'd understand, but now, there is no excuse whatsoever.

I understand that we can't just get up and leave everything proprietary behind all at once, since we have iPhones and Android phones. We all use proprietary software of some form, but I am of the mindset of using the least amount of proprietary possible.

I will ALWAYS look for FOSS first. I also want to make it as hard as possible for any corporation to track me. They'll probably still be able to track me, but I'm not going without a fight.

I could say the same about the Linux kernel using GitHub, but I understand how massive of an undertaking it would be to move the whole kernel to another platform. I'm sure there are other factors, too. Anyway, I just wanted to start a discussion and hear people's thoughts.
Thank you

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

Subreddits can't move, they won't be subreddits then. There are other Linux forums outside Reddit -- like this one!

[–] [email protected] 18 points 4 days ago

The mods there were crap back in the day. Keep them on reddit.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Bet the Facebook Linux community is bigger than ours.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 days ago

It is actually.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 days ago

Um, subreddits remain because they still have subscribers. That's all.

[–] [email protected] 42 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Even if they did... Reddit would just find new mods and reopen it. They wouldn't let it remain abandoned.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

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.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] [email protected] 52 points 4 days ago

Some of us did leave, that's why you see us here

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (4 children)

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.

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[–] [email protected] -3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Because it's fine the way it is. They can ask newbie questions over there, while we try to have more interesting discussions over here. /s

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Ok but is that happening in reality

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (2 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 days ago

Linux people are afraid of a little added layer of complexity? Please

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

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.

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

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.

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[–] [email protected] -1 points 4 days ago

Linux is a great platform for developing things like bots in.

Reddit is 90% bots.

Makes sense to me. 🤣

[–] [email protected] 57 points 4 days ago

There's two reasons why r/linux is popular on Reddit:

  1. Reddit is popular
  2. r/linux is popular
[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago

Because Lemmy is quite silent relatively. It’s a hard sell outside of those who enjoy selfhosting.

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

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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Third option? Solus? Minix? What is the third option!!???! Why don't I know about the mysterious third option?!!!?

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

Linux is the third option. As far as many normies are concerned the second option is macOS

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 144 points 4 days ago (2 children)

The kernel on GitHub is just a mirror - the primary source is on kernel.org

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[–] [email protected] 79 points 4 days ago (4 children)
  • 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.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Also institutional inertia is difficult to overcome in general.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago (2 children)

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?"

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[–] [email protected] 31 points 4 days ago (1 children)

How should we know? Ask them, not us.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 4 days ago

But Lemmy users are obviously smarter, so it’s better to ask them.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago (2 children)

It helps keep the more caustic linuxers away from lemmy.

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

Correct we only want the sour linuxers here.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

My experience has been the opposite. People are nicer here.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

You are right, it's not very often I see fights here.

Regarding migration to Lemmy, I think it will happen ~~originally~~/slowly and in a few years the majority of questions will be asked here.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago

The call is coming from inside the house

[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 days ago (2 children)

It could be worse. At least they didn't move to discord or facebook.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Discord is ok, it hosts many open source projects and can be bridged to matrix https://gitdab.com/cadence/out-of-your-element

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Are you aware of any project that maintains a good bridge to Matrix? Because I'm in like 80 discord servers and not one of them has a high quality bridge

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 days ago (1 children)

You can't find anything on discord with a web search. You can't even open it without logging in. Once you're logged in, good luck finding an answer to a problem that was posted a year or two ago. That's much worse than reddit.

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[–] [email protected] 66 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

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

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