this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2023
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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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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 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.
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.
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