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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If not Linux, which OS would you use? (lemmy.sdf.org)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by SexualPolytope@lemmy.sdf.org to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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BSD might be an option. But this post is basically meant to ask the following question:

Windows or Mac, which OS do you dislike less?

For me, it's Windows. Microsoft is shit, but at least there's some flexibility in terms of how I can use my system and what hardware I can use it on.

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[–] dlarge6510@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

Well if we think about the chronology, If GNU/Linux never existed I'd be using Windows still.

If however tomorrow it somehow became impossible to run Linux then I would probably switch to one of the BSD's, as well as Risc OS Open. However, the method it becomes impossible to run Linux is important:

If it is merely illegal, I'll just run GNU/Linux. If it is blocked by the TPM, I'll just use old hardware which has no TPM or one that can be disabled. If it's just the Linux kernel that the TPM stops running, I'll finally install GNU/Hurd, or use the older hardware (seeing as my laptops were made in 2014 and my PC was built in 2016 I'm already there).

If I absolutely had to I would have no problems using much older hardware. I started on a 486 and can easily build that again, I have a few pentiums too. Obviously these systems won't be doing web browsing but they can do everything else, document writing, email, IRC, and of course programming.

If I'm pushed hard enough I'd revert back to using my Risc PC and 8 bit computers.

So as far as your question is concerned, I was converted to the Free Software ideals when I found this "Linux thing" back in 1997. Nothing is stopping me from computing that way. Mac OS is obviously out of the question, even if I hadn't discovered Linux it's (MacOS) interface is terrible, the company is terrible, the hardware is overpriced and underpowered and unreliable. I also wouldn't go back to windows for anything other than gaming which I do once in a while.