this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2024
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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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From experience with Windows "freeware" some of us have seen what happens when such pop-up notices become commonplace. It is not pretty.
This isn't Windows, and this isn't freeware
This isnt freeware.
"Free" in free software is free like free speech, not free as in beer.
This is one of the places where english fails. Libre vs gratis
Sorry, I was assuming everyone knew that. Should've said "nagware" instead.
If you don't like it, don't use it.
Then you also don't cause any more cost to the KDE project.
The claim that more users increases costs for the KDE project in any meaningful way is another thing that might be disputed. The examples given do not seem convincing.
So the reason it makes me uneasy is that at the same time as I do want KDE to succeed, I do not want this tactic of begging for money in annoying little on-screen pop-ups to succeed. If it does, then perhaps it might spread to other free software projects. If all of the hundreds of them that go into a linux distribution start feeling free to make their demands it will be a real mess. As some old philosopher said: To judge the morality of an action, consider what would happen if everyone did it.
I remain an Xfce user. They also accept donations.