this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2025
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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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It's kind of ironic to me that Linux is all for free and open source, but still uses a proprietary platform, and a horrible one at that. Before the fediverse, I'd understand, but now, there is no excuse whatsoever.

I understand that we can't just get up and leave everything proprietary behind all at once, since we have iPhones and Android phones. We all use proprietary software of some form, but I am of the mindset of using the least amount of proprietary possible.

I will ALWAYS look for FOSS first. I also want to make it as hard as possible for any corporation to track me. They'll probably still be able to track me, but I'm not going without a fight.

I could say the same about the Linux kernel using GitHub, but I understand how massive of an undertaking it would be to move the whole kernel to another platform. I'm sure there are other factors, too. Anyway, I just wanted to start a discussion and hear people's thoughts.
Thank you

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

Maybe it's the same normal human inconsistency as those of who support public health care and basic income, but ironically still buy stuff from capitalists.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

As someone who needed to use the jellyfin discord for assistance setting it up, moving from a larger, community readable platform to a platform that is non searchable externally, and more importantly. If someone wants to learn how to linux. Making them learn how to Lemmy ADDITIONALLY is gonna HURT. this is ofc ignoring the reality of the fact that communities can exist in multiple places, and assuming they'd just go read only or smth like that. Jellyfin support was ONLY able to be provided because they're matrix interconnects with discord, a software i can use! (I've since made a element account while watching media on my jellyfin server XD)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

You mean Lemmy threads aren't indexed by search engines ? So if we move everything to lemmy there goes the only way to find good info online which is adding "reddit" to the search bar ?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 hours ago

That is incorrect on my part, I've since learned that lemmy IS searchable, but because of much lower density just doesn't show up hence the initial poster I referred tos confusion. Search link for reference

It's a link to a Google search!

[–] [email protected] 24 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

It would definitely be nicer to see the Linux community grow here.

But hey. I'm on Linux and I'm here with y'all. :)

[–] [email protected] -1 points 5 hours ago

Tell me what distro you are using and I tell you if you have to go back to reddit or not.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 7 hours ago

Many of them are single-issue Linux users and don't concern themselves with FOSS philosophy

[–] [email protected] 17 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Linux is ubiquitous, it's everywhere, even on Reddit, even under your bed

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 hours ago

If you have a Smart Bed^TM^, Linux might even be in your bed.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 hours ago

Why should it leave? It's good to be omnipresent! You have another linux community here and in many other places.

[–] [email protected] 38 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

You're talking as if "The linux community" was one single bunch of people.

Reddit isn't Linux HQ and nor is Lemmy, nor is Facebook. #linux still active on IRC too, but not there either.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 hours ago

100%. I'm relatively new to Linux and to the western world as a whole. 😅

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 hours ago

Linux is mailing lists, if anything. It’s definitely not Reddit.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 hours ago

side note but you dont need to use proprietary android phones you can flash custom roms to most like GrapheneOS LiniageOS or CalyxOS or you can find a linux phone os like ubuntu touch

[–] [email protected] 41 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Even if they did... Reddit would just find new mods and reopen it. They wouldn't let it remain abandoned.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours ago) (1 children)

This kind of answers my question. lol. I didn't think about it that way. I thought they can just bring it all here and that one gets ~~closer~~ closed or something. I forgot how reddit works.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 hours ago

It's how they kept everything from dying when they killed third party apps. They openly banned and replaced mods that were keeping their subreddits locked. It was a shitshow, but unfortunately reddit still exists.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 12 hours ago

The mods there were crap back in the day. Keep them on reddit.

[–] [email protected] 47 points 15 hours ago

Some of us did leave, that's why you see us here

[–] [email protected] 15 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

Bet the Facebook Linux community is bigger than ours.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago)

I hear the Linux community on Microsoft GitHub is pretty big too these days.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 13 hours ago

It is actually.

[–] [email protected] 51 points 17 hours ago

There's two reasons why r/linux is popular on Reddit:

  1. Reddit is popular
  2. r/linux is popular
[–] [email protected] 126 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

The kernel on GitHub is just a mirror - the primary source is on kernel.org

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[–] [email protected] 69 points 20 hours ago (2 children)
  • Not everyone that uses Linux is against proprietary software or only uses FOSS.
  • There are people that just heard of Linux, are just trying it out, or have an issue, and already use Reddit, or is what the search engine points them to go for help, or to ask questions.
  • Reddit has a lot more reach for the common people than any other platform at the moment, there are still people that prefer to ask on Reddit, than go to a specific forum or another platform to ask (If I remember right, it still happens with some apps like Jellyfin that moved out of Reddit, but people still ask there)

These are just a few of the reasons that come to my mind.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 hours ago

As an example I'm on Linux for a decade now but I also use proprietary services. I use Jellyfin and Netflix, Vim and Jetbrains IDEs, Chess.com instead of Lichess, WhatsApp instead of Matrix.

Sometimes the value proposition does it for me, sometimes it's the network effect. I've ditched reddit because I like Lemmy more but I can see how someone wants to stay in touch with their niche communities that don't really exist on Lemmy. Probably some people use both.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 18 hours ago (3 children)

Also institutional inertia is difficult to overcome in general.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 hours ago

Subreddits can't move, they won't be subreddits then. There are other Linux forums outside Reddit -- like this one!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 14 hours ago

Um, subreddits remain because they still have subscribers. That's all.

[–] [email protected] 61 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago) (1 children)

Linux isnt only for Foss enjoyers. Plus its good to have the linux community on reddit to help people bring attention to linux. If they move it here it will be even harder to join the community.

Think of /r/linux as a gateway to the world of Foss

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 hours ago

You are not wrong. But there are things you can do to make a point. Make Reddit as a 2nd class citizen and drive people to lemmy, mastodon and the others. Like add posts with no comments, just relay bot, ... Make it clear.

Same with GitHub, it's mirror to my Gitea instance. You can see stuff but you have to move somewhere else to contribute and report issues. Not a terrible thing to use these proprietary services and yet make them 2nd class citizens.

[–] [email protected] 31 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

How should we know? Ask them, not us.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (3 children)

Look at corporate members at https://www.linuxfoundation.org/about/members

There is a difference between Linux, the kernel, as a tool and free software the ideology. A lot of contributors to Linux are there for the money. They contribute resources, including money but also usually staff, without caring for abstract concepts like "freedom", or they might even actively (arguably) work against it when they are strategically establishing walled gardens and exclusive stores.

So... I'm not saying that's OK but I believe by confusing the ideology with the tool used for profit by gigantic corporations we are being unrealistic.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

Reddit Linux are just a bunch of gaming chuds. and I say that as a gamer.

They'll take time to understand the landscape and there's nothing wrong with that, yes reddit is dogshit but you won't convince anyone by just telling them. They just have to look around for themselves.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

It is the censoring, from the top down. That is like a brick wall on reddit that will hit anyone in no time.

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