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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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Official vs FOSS software? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 1 year ago by remotedev@lemmy.ca to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Sorry if this isn't the right place to ask this, I couldn't find a linux-no-stupid-questions community lol.

I'm migrating again to linux, and working on Linux Mint for now to avoid a huge change due to my upcoming program for school soon where I won't have extra time to fiddle with things. So I'm trying to get everything set up, and download my most used applications, but I'm trying to figure out - should I be downloading the official software if it's available, or is it better to find a FOSS alternative instead? I plan to go with the apps that come with it like the libre office instead of Microsoft, obviously, but I was looking at Discord and there is what appears to be an official looking option in the software manager app, and below it a FOSS WebCord option. Or, if this one isn't the official, I could always go to the discord site and get it from them if they have it available.

Does it matter which option I go with? Is it better to go with official software if possible? Or is it better to go with FOSS for more control/privacy?

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[–] mholiv@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It’s a matter of ideology.

This being said I think for you installing “official” apps via flatpak might be the best compromise. You gets apps that don’t need tinkering with and “just work” while those apps are isolated from the rest of your system via flatpak isolation.

If you are going into a period low fiddle time this might be your best bet ^

[–] remotedev@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That makes sense. I still have windows installed as a backup but I'd really like to get through the program with Linux only. I've been going through the software manager first and then on to the official apps from their site if there was no options

[–] mholiv@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Yah. I would strongly recommend https://flathub.org versions of “official” apps over ones you download from the developers sites.

For those people who are new to Linux it’s important to know Linux isn’t like windows. Installing applications from debs or rpms that you get from directly from developers’ sites is often the worst way to install them. Native package managers and flatpak are the ways to go.