this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2026
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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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You seem to have a very idealized idea of how selfless this whole thing is. Google has sponsored a lot of work in the kernel, so have multiple corporations over the years. This is not some puppies and raibows shit here.
It just happens to work really well because the license and multiple interest of a good kernel do just that: a good kernel.
Surveillance issues and too strong corporations are an issue with your government, not the kernel
I'm not absolving governments at all so I'm not quite antithetical to this position either. I understand that a GPL license might have meant less corporate incentives but I also do despise how most corporations are moving these days so it is what it is I guess.