this post was submitted on 28 Feb 2026
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    Unfortunately, no-one can be told what Linux is. You have to install it for yourself. (lemmy.world)
    submitted 6 days ago by RomulusCornflakes@lemmy.world to c/linuxmemes@lemmy.world
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    [–] username_1@programming.dev 71 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (4 children)

    Linux is a kernel for OS. See, I told you what Linux is. I did it!

    [–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 127 points 6 days ago (1 children)

    [–] victorz@lemmy.world 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

    Maybe Morpheus meant that no one can explain it and also be believed. πŸ˜…

    [–] stupidopensourceBS@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

    Maybe the real matrix was the friends we made along the way.

    [–] Rothe@piefed.social 27 points 6 days ago (2 children)

    I know it is an obvious term for you techbros, but kernel means nothing to your average person though. I would doubt most of them would even know what an OS is (especially abbreviated like that).

    [–] username_1@programming.dev 19 points 6 days ago (4 children)

    Explanation for dummies: Linux is a launcher of computer programs.

    [–] HugeNerd@lemmy.ca 3 points 4 days ago

    Oh like a slingshot for floppies?

    [–] Venator@lemmy.nz 9 points 6 days ago (1 children)

    So it's like the start menu? (j/k)

    [–] ulterno@programming.dev 9 points 6 days ago (1 children)

    Naah!

    It's what starts the start menu.

    [–] PabloSexcrowbar@piefed.social 2 points 5 days ago (2 children)

    So it's an init system?

    [–] DeltaWingDragon@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

    It's an init system for an init system.

    [–] ulterno@programming.dev 1 points 5 days ago

    It's what the init system goes to, to do the real work.

    [–] emotional_soup_88@programming.dev 5 points 6 days ago

    Thanks for the lol of today.

    [–] jaybone@lemmy.zip 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

    An OS is basically a broker of hardware resources for applications. And usually ships with some of its own applications. That’s a pretty fair explanation?

    [–] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 days ago (2 children)

    what is a broker?

    [–] Arcadeep@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

    Someone who (somehow) has less money than me

    [–] jaybone@lemmy.zip 1 points 5 days ago

    brokerΒ /brō′kΙ™r/

    noun

    1. One that acts as an agent for others, as in negotiating contracts, purchases, or sales in return for a fee or commission.
    [–] bryndos@fedia.io 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

    It's a government agency in the United Kingdom called the Ordnance Survey. They make all the maps.

    I was originally set up to help defend against catholic rebellions so it is historically linked to the army. That's probably where the Colonel comes in to it.

    [–] InternetCitizen2@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

    That's probably where the Colonel comes in to it.

    I think its originally French

    [–] DeltaWingDragon@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago

    The pronunciation is from French (Coronel), but the spelling is from Italian (Colonnello)

    [–] RomulusCornflakes@lemmy.world 20 points 6 days ago (1 children)

    Yeah, but... but... like, but... if you just explain it, you'll put people off. You've got to get them to install it first so that they get hooked.

    [–] errer@lemmy.world 9 points 5 days ago (1 children)

    Now eat this random pill I found

    [–] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 days ago

    no.. you misu.. I have not just found it, of course! I am bringing it from the most delicate source of pills!

    [–] Goodlucksil@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

    It's not only for operating systems, though.

    [–] username_1@programming.dev 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

    It’s not only for operating systems, though.

    What else? I can hardly imagine using Linux for something except OS.

    [–] 0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 days ago

    Maybe they mean embedded systems where full OS isn't required. Just the kernel and busybox.