this post was submitted on 17 Oct 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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[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Sure, but if I were recommending a Linux OS to a first-time user, I wouldn't recommend today's Ubuntu as it is likely to lock them into a proprietary single-vendor system, which is contrary to one of the main points of promoting free software.

The first-time user might not immediately notice the difference, but it's (unfortunately) bad for free software to have more new users starting on today's Ubuntu.

This is pretty sad because Ubuntu used to be the obvious choice to recommend to new users.