this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2025
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Linux

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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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  1. You love giving your data away
  2. You enjoy being tracked by your operating system
  3. You’re happy when your computer tells you “no”
  4. You prefer someone else deciding what you can run
  5. You feel uncomfortable if you get to have options
  6. You’d rather battle corporate tech support
  7. You’d rather rent your software than own it
  8. You think ads belong on your desktop
  9. You love being lied to about what’s “industry standard”
  10. You like rebooting for every little update
  11. You’re uncomfortable when software is transparent
  12. You think community-made tools can’t be “professional”
  13. You want intrusive AI everywhere, whether it helps or not
  14. You think the command line is only for hackers
  15. You never really wanted your computer to be yours anyway
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[–] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 11 points 2 days ago

Oh shit! That's what we were missing all along! That's what has, all this time, been keeping adoption down and preventing the year of the linux desktop! A condescending prick talking down to people! We should have figured this out a long time ago! Thanks OP for setting us straight! Now our numbers are sure to skyrocket!

[–] cy_narrator@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 2 days ago

ItsFoss is getting shittier by the day

[–] njm1314@lemmy.world 43 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (10 children)

This is exactly the kind of shit that keeps people from switching to Linux y'all know that right?

[–] vandsjov@feddit.dk 23 points 3 days ago

Yeah, I read this as: YOU ARE FUCKING STUPID, I AM MUCH BETTER THAN YOU

That is really a good way to communicate.

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[–] verdare@piefed.blahaj.zone 85 points 4 days ago (2 children)

This is just masturbation.

[–] Endymion_Mallorn@kbin.melroy.org 27 points 4 days ago (1 children)

No, because at least with masturbation, you have something to show for it at the end.

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[–] huquad@lemmy.ml 5 points 3 days ago

No that's exercise

[–] Cris_Color@lemmy.world 62 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (6 children)

As a long time linux user, antagonizing people who are unsure if the switch is right for them is very clearly a poor interpersonal choice that will not result in the change we wanna see in the world, or more people adopting linux

Fuckin seriously, we can do better than this circle jerk. As someone who cares deeply about software being kinder to people it pains me enormously how much of a dump stat interpersonal skills are for so much of the Foss community

If the authors wanna pat themselves for linux they can do it without creating a unempathetic, condescending, preachy culture that alienates people.

Just call the article "things we love about having switched to linux" so it finds the right audience and its fine, but this shit sucks and its exactly the kind of crap that has made so many of my friends resistant to hearing what I think is good and special about Foss software. They hear me out anyway, but I'd love for it to not be a fucking uphill battle because Foss people routinely emulate the same preachy, condescending, unempathetic interpersonal apprach that everyone bemoans about the worst vegan spaces online

[–] SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.ml 10 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] Cris_Color@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I'm really glad it seems like my thoughts have been appreciated, I was kinda mentally preparing myself for people to be unhappy with me

I find this kind of stuff frustrating enough I needed to edit my first version of the comment cause it was angrier, but I want people to actually hear me out and think about the culture we cultivate in the foss space. It really matters.

There are so many issues people care about (eg. Software freedom) specifically because we want a world that is kinder to people, and then we act on that value or interest in a way that isn't kind to people. A little empathy goes a looong way

Thank you for the kind words, I hope you have a lovely day :)

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[–] baconmonsta@piefed.social 16 points 3 days ago (1 children)

This article likely came from a very sad and self-righteous place

[–] steeznson@lemmy.world 11 points 3 days ago

Shh we're trying to circlejerk here! Keep your voice of reason down and grab some lotion

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 68 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Oh, it's just a list of pro Linux items but in reverse psychology... Kay.

I'm already a Linux user, I was kinda curious about a listing of actual reasons Linux might not be for someone.

[–] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 41 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Not just reverse psychology, I can't imagine anyone agreeing with most of these. It's definitely got a holier-than-thou attitude. Like who is this even written for other than people who already use Linux and just want to feel smugly superior?

[–] iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works 33 points 4 days ago

Linux users? Being holier than thou? Say it ain't so!

I use arch btw

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 8 points 4 days ago

Exactly, it just reads like a smug rant.

[–] ozymandias@sh.itjust.works 17 points 4 days ago (3 children)

actual reasons:

  1. want to use some specific program or game only available for another os
  2. lazy, dumb or afraid of computer stuff.
  3. can’t decide from 10,000 different distributions
[–] vandsjov@feddit.dk 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

You forgot the real actual reason: I don't care about computer stuff. My current computer does what I want and I don't care to switch.

It is okay not to have the interest in computers. I could probably change the oil on my car but I don't care and don't want to do the work, so I don't do it (the mechanic does).

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[–] victorz@lemmy.world 7 points 4 days ago

Perfectly valid. 👌

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[–] onlooker@lemmy.ml 32 points 3 days ago (2 children)

And here I was, thinking this was a well thought out article with actual, legitimate reasons why someone wouldn't want to use Linux. Instead, it's this smug, autofellating, condescending bullshit. Roland Taylor has some issues.

[–] faythofdragons@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I mean, #6 is accurate for me. I don't have a humiliation fetish, so I'd rather pay people to tell me what I'm doing wrong instead of braving the barrage of belittlement that comes from asking for crowdsourced support.

[–] onlooker@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

And that's completely valid and fair. Different strokes for different folks, as they say. But I do have to stress that I'm not so much criticising the bullet points as I am the general tone of the article. #6 should read like your reply, but instead it feels like the reader should feel bad for not wanting support from humans as opposed to an automated system.

[–] faythofdragons@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 days ago

Oh, I understand. I was trying to snarkily imply that the smug, autofellating, condescending attitude you mentioned was unfortunately endemic, to the point where it's starting to feel like some people are secretly jorking it while telling newbs they suck. I think it's a huge reason why people feel like FOSS isn't for them.

[–] cy_narrator@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You expected better from itsFoss? It has always been this way and it will always be

[–] onlooker@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

I'll have to take your word for it. Truth be told, I don't read much of their articles. And it looks like it's going to stay that way.

[–] tomalley8342@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago
  1. You own an AMD GPU and want to use your fancy HDMI 2.1 monitor / TV
[–] MasterBlaster@lemmy.world 14 points 3 days ago

I enjoy the snark, but also agree it's condescending. Folks, take it as cynical humor, and don't be so harsh.

Anyway I commented to say that #10 is creeping into at least some distributions.

My Ubuntu sends security updates that frequently impact system libraries and thus demands (politely) a reboot.

Gnome software does it all the time, but a regular "check for updates" will often install without demanding reboot. I suspect the update won't be in effect until reboot, though.

[–] Farnsworth@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Most of these are not about the Linux kernel, but about distro / personal choice. Android tracks you and doesn't make you use the command-line a lot. Fedora / Ubuntu (and others?) like to reboot for every little update.

[–] toynbee@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I've had Fedora encourage me to reboot, but I don't think I've ever had it do so without consent (excluding when my laptop battery died).

[–] jimerson@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

CachyOS suggests a reboot but also doesn't demand.

[–] BuckWylde@lemmy.world 24 points 4 days ago (1 children)

This is exactly the kind of shit that turns people off.

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[–] spittingimage@lemmy.world 24 points 4 days ago

Please, article writer, be a little more passive-aggressive.

[–] muzzle@lemmy.zip 14 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Back on the 90s (I know, I know) the joke was that of your VCR was still blinking 12:00 Linux was probably not for you.

[–] ShinkanTrain@lemmy.ml 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Maybe this was true then, but my microwave never once knew what time it is

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[–] ScientifficDoggo@lemmy.zip 15 points 4 days ago
  1. You start making weird passive aggressive lists to shame people into your preferred.....whatever...
[–] SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.ml 10 points 3 days ago

"Well if you don't buy this car you are a moron who can't see how much better this car is. So keep driving that piece of shit car you dumbass. So, have I sold you on this car?"

[–] Tenderizer78@lemmy.ml 10 points 4 days ago (1 children)
  1. You can't be trusted with keeping your desktop secure (because Linux sure as hell won't do that for you).
  2. You need software that can't run on Linux even via compatibility tools (Multiplayer AAA games don't count).
  3. You have access to extended security updates for Windows 10.
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[–] tuff_wizard@aussie.zone 6 points 3 days ago (2 children)

If you have a job or are student you'll know that using Linux usually results in a direct increase in corporate tech support battles.

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[–] petsoi@discuss.tchncs.de 10 points 4 days ago (4 children)

10: But honestly, with an immutable distro you are not that far off 😀

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[–] saltnotsugar@lemmy.world 9 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I just wish there was an OS that was bloated to heck and back, and tried to shoehorn AI into weird places.

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