From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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So why do so many people seem to think Linux needs to become bigger on Desktop?
Personally I am not looking forward to the consequences: capitalism will make sure there will be something on Linux to make money off. They will try to conquer it, introduce walled gardens, stores you will have to pay for, by watching ads.
Android was Open Source once until Google decided to mainstream it.
Android was Open Source once until Google decided to mainstream it.
Android is still open source. Proprietary stuff gets added by the time it gets to the consumer, but the base is open.
It's open-source merely to comply with the GPL license of the kernel, but the fact is that an Android image built only from open source components will be extremely crippled or, depending on your point of view, basically useless. Such an image will not even boot on the majority of devices ; you'll need those sweet proprietary driver blobs if you want your phone to do anything, and a bunch more closed source binaries in order to use Play services.
Not sure exactly how many blobs I need to install Linux on my pc. I know there's proprietary stuff for my Nvidia card (optional) and possibly NIC, but most hardware is supported by the kernel these days?
Also, the play store. That's my biggest issue with Android. Everything depends on the store.
Did you try Aurora store (interface to Google play store, trying to hide your installs) or the more Linux like repository manager f-droid?
Linux has a similar issue though
Don't know why this is downvoted. Even distros like Debian, that are 100% FOSS otherwise, will (often) load some proprietary firmware because otherwise it would barely be functional on any modern computer.
I was afraid someone was going to point out that AOSP exists, but it's not very useful.
The Android that everyone uses and talks about is very closed, because everything depends on the playstore.
This. People don't understand that linux doesn't want to replace your OS. The motivation needs to be intrinsic and therefore there will never be a widespread of linux users because 90% of all people "don't care" about their OS. They want to turn on their computer and use any browser to surf the net or check their emails.
I used to argue about this from the position of "wider adoption means more support and a richer ecosystem", until I eventually realised that it would include more predators.
I'll need to make the time to contribute to it myself instead. If I want free software, I should provide free contributions too.
Ah yes, late stage capitalism. Communism was the answer all along. /S
Edit: I love how evryone ignored /S for sarcasm. Just to clarify, yes I know communism is ideal on paper but doesn't work in real life and yes, capitalism while having its flaws is the only alternate we have.
because of course, pointing out that capitalism will cause a specific problem can only be a disguised attempt to resuscitate Joseph Stalin.
Guess communism jokes are old now. Sad times.
actually I think the /s completely reversed the joke making it feel like you were mocking the other dude for potentially considering something else than capitalism
Damn I see it now.
(Sorry for my bad England)
I don't have the answer to the best form of government, but communism doesn't work. That has already been proven?
And capitalism is actually pretty good, until it turns everything into ads and destroys the planet :-/ I wish there was something better.
Don't know why I'm commenting this on a Linux thread but I would like to invite you to read a bit more about socialism, what communism is and why in way shape or form was ever attempted. A true communist society would require a lot of thing that are simply not possible without a massive shift in culture, society and relations to power and globalization. Any communism you are thinking about is mostly marketing communism by the the "communist" countries themselves that started basically as a primitive form of revolution and got stuck in the phase after it in which basically created a authoritarian regime that didn't even attempt to be true communism. Noam Chomsky has a very cool video speaking about leninism which he goes into detail. Don't fall on me for the comment it was just an invite
Yes sadly, I see your point. Big corporates are ruining everything. This is not to say I advocate communism but it's sad to see the only alternative to communism devolving into a toxic system.
You don't need a unified version, you need easily accessible linux hardware (desktop, laptop, phone, etc.). People do not give a swimming fuck about which OS they're using. Whatever's on their hardware will become their main OS.
https://puri.sm https://slimbook.es https://system76.com/ https://tuxedocomputers.com , they are all doing a good job of leading the charge and trying to occupy most segments, but what they lack is still QA, ease of use, and most importantly marketing and support from the linux community. They need to dump huge amounts of money into marketing (which they probably don't have) and the linux community should altogether stop buying bullshit pseudo-supported linux laptops from Dell, Lenovo, and HP.
There are linux shops out there. Stop giving your money to other companies and wishing on linux dominance. It's nonsensical.
@elouboub @GravelPieceOfSword has to work
Definitely. If it doesn't or if a CLI has to be opened for a single thing, the majority will not use it.
A pretty important point is that Linux doesn't come installed on many devices. For most people, they buy a computer with Windows or Mac already installed and they're satisfied with their experience. They don't feel the need to find a distro, mount a USB stick, navigate through the BIOS, run an installer that wipes their hard drive, and relearn another operating system when Windows and Mac does everything that they want. When Linux comes pre installed on devices such as the Steam Deck or Chromebooks, Linux usage soars, though these devices have to use Linux because they need a heavily customized OS for their specific purpose. Laptops and desktops intended for casual use that come pre installed with Linux are far less common, so for the overwhelming majority of users, Windows or Mac is what they get and what they end up using. I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft switches from charging for Windows to paying manufacturers to put Windows on their computers to get users into the Microsoft eco system if Linux became an actual competitor one day
According to StatCounter, Android accounts for 39.2% of OS marketshare. Android is Linux. However, that is not what people think of when they advocate for "Linux."
But, that's what happens when you want Linux to get a majority of marketshare. You don't get your free software friendly GNU desktop, you get a weird proprietary locked down thing.
I don't think "one unified distro", or even an "official distro", is possible without taking critical parts of Linux private and closed-source. As long as the freedom exists people will make their own "versions" of (GNU/)Linux.
I think certified distro would go long way. Say this is what it takes to a certified workstation so that people can do basic things using the same tools and guides.
You're basically describing the Linux Standard Base, which was abandoned back in 2015 and the way it was handled was somewhat controversial.
But there is a lot of informal standardization between Linuxes, nonetheless.
Most of the desktop marketiss work machines, most people just us a phone now.
And half of those use a linux kernel (the other half is derived from NextSTEP :p).
Then there's the steamdeck, which proves people really don't pick operating systems, they just use what's there... which is really the point.. you don't 'adopt' an OS, you just use shit. If it happens to run linux, then cool.
I picked the Steam Deck because it runs Linux but then again, I'm a nerd.
The number of laptops I've seen in hotel lobbies seems to suggest otherwise.
no one unified distro to keep things simple (thread OP)
Debian. Ubuntu. Arch.
In some sense Gentoo, because it keeps configs simple.
Juat to give a good refeeence for tech illiterate people are. Neeva was a searxh engine that shur down a few month ago. They used a subscription model. They had little probelm getting people to pay they had a problem explaining what a search engine was. Their biggest hurdle was, i am not lying about this, getting people to change their settings. Yeah the thing that takes a few click.
Most people care about privacy and what os they use to that same extent as brand of motor oil they use.
It's a tough sale when the item/service being sold changes someone's workflow or tool set. Hype helps remove this friction. Strangely enough, when you force someone into a default state, they dont act to move to what is comfortable. Instead, they try to work with it and thereby become more comfortable. This is also why keeping it stupid simple and obnoxiously large buttons makes it easier to introduce people. The less steps or transitions are also preferable because people want to have less effort and not be overloaded with options that look important enough that they need to know what to do. Average joe does not want to do research on things they don't know anything about. Unfortunately, settings pages(and other custom tools like command lines) are full of the opposite of what I stated here.