this post was submitted on 01 Mar 2024
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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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[–] MajorHavoc@programming.dev 15 points 8 months ago

But why do we want more proprietary software running on Linux?

You're right, there's downsides for the FOSS community, but it's much better for many individuals.

Usability, accessibility and privacy for a user is better when any proprietary software, that they cannot avoid, can at least run relatively sandboxed inside an OS they have control over.

Wouldn't we be recreating the same situation that Windows has?

Good point, but thankfully, an open OS mitigates these issues a great deal.