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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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The Finnish Marticulation Examination to move away from Linux-based exam enviroment due to perceived threat of dwindling support on student devices (www.ylioppilastutkinto.fi)

submitted 6 days ago by uint@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

29 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Context: The Finnish Marticulation Examination is a national examination required to qualify for entry into a university in Finland (not strictly required, but the vast majority will have passed the exam before university). These are basically the final exams of Finnish "high school". The current digital system used for the exams is called "Abitti", which is a Debian-based OS. The students boot into the system with provided USB-sticks.

In the linked article, there is the following statement (in Finnish):

Computer technology advances quickly, and the current Abitti works in fewer and fewer computers. The threat is that computers that can run the current Linux-environment won't be available in the near future.

The new system ("Abitti 2"), which is planned to be used by Autumn 2026, uses locked-down Web-apps written for each supported OS. Support is planned for Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS. Linux support "needs further investigation". As I understand it, the current situation is that the old Linux USB-stick method (now called "Abitti 2 student-stick") is still used as a backup for those without Windows, Mac, or ChromeOS.

I think the main premise of Linux-bootable computers not being available in the near future is extremely dystopian. Thoughts?

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[–] utopiah@lemmy.ml 10 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Easy fix, forbid the sales of computers in Finland that do not let user boot on the OS of choice, including of course Abitti.

Sure a small percentage of Fins might not buy their computers in the country via a national online shop but I bet it's a minority.

For the few who still do, make a RPi5 or equivalent available instead of a USB stick. It's a bit more expensive but not so much.

[–] Tiger_Man_@szmer.info 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

That would require banning like 70% of comouter market (yes phones etc. are computers and I'm tired of pretending they're not)

[–] utopiah@lemmy.ml 6 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I agree that computers are phone but in this specific context I don't believe that would fit. Do people take an exam on a phone? Actual people I mean, not few hackers who (rightfully) believe it's an interesting technical feat. Also IMHO for phones to be considered computers then isn't a locked bootloader ALSO precisely a problem?

So... sure get it fixed for phones too!

If Apple managed to switch it's own hardware port to USB-C this seems relatively simple in comparison.