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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Linux reaches new high 3.82% (gs.statcounter.com)

submitted 9 months ago by markus99@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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[–] mexicancartel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

FOSS or paid

I hope you know the difference between Free(Libre) and Free(gratis)

[–] indigomirage@lemmy.ca 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I suppose what I mean is that i am happy to select whatever software is best for the task at hand. I have no issue with paying for software if it serves my needs. In a few cases, that limits my options to running windows as commercial versions are unavailable on Linux, and it is my hope that more commercial orgs start making their wares available for Linux, especially in cases where there's no available alternative.

As for splitting hairs on the difference between gratis and libre, life's too short (so if I used incorrect terminology, c'est la vie...)

[–] mexicancartel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I guess you don't know its difference.

Free software means freedom and not the price. There are paid free software.

By defenition, free software is software that satisfy 4 essential freedoms

Freedom 0: Freedom to run the program any way you want on any of your devices

Freedom 1: To see and study how the program works and change it according to your needs. Source code of the entire program should be visible for this freedom

Freedom 2: Freedom to share copies of the original program(sharing is caring)

Freedom 3: Freedom to share copies of the modified version which you adapted to your needs such that whole community can benefit from your modifications

So yeah this is Free software, and when you say FOSS, its not about the price, but the freedom and control you get with the software. Why is this important? Because theese non-free softwares are taking away our freedom by even limiting "us" from using our "own" devices(DRM, locked bootloader, etc.), and it will be too late to realise how most proprietary softwares we use, and ones we are forced to use, captures our freedom.