this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2023
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Linux

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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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[–] michaelrose@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's not a conspiracy theory to imagine that IBM's vision for Linux compared to 2000s or 2010s era Linux is opaque, complicated, and enterprisey. It's who they are.

The grandparent comment

Linux community is so inherently meritocratic that one can’t meaningfully force anything upon any large group of them.

Is pure fantasy. Software projects are dictatorships of those willing to put in the work, not meritocracies. There is nothing immoral or wrong about this but we should be realists. The entire software ecosystem is dominated by oft shitty good enough solutions which people poured enough work into to solve problems well enough.

[–] monk@lemmy.unboiled.info 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

IBM's vision

Anybody can have a vision, but it's the work that matters. I'll be worried when they become a player.

Software projects are dictatorships of those willing to put in the work, not meritocracies.

Most linux distros are slight variations on the best components available. Yes, one can put in resources, do a great job and now everyone switches to the fruits of their labor. No, it does nothing to stop another player from one-upping them and taking the lead with their next best good enough. In political terms, dictatorships are incompatible with voting with one's feet.

[–] michaelrose@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Anybody can have a vision, but it’s the work that matters. I’ll be worried when they become a player.

Did you entirely miss the part where IBM bought Red Hat

[–] monk@lemmy.unboiled.info 1 points 1 year ago

It was hard to miss, I was working there. It doesn't mean that much as you're assuming.