this post was submitted on 27 Nov 2023
199 points (93.8% liked)

Linux

48178 readers
801 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I ran Manjaro Linux as my daily driver a few years ago but slowly phased it out for Windows for some reason, and I'm finally back using Linux (currently Linux Mint). I gotta say, I don't know why I ever switched back to Windows. There's just so much freedom Linux gives you right off the bat that Windows is just plain stubborn about. The final straw for me was a couple weeks ago when Microsoft added a Copilot (Bing AI) Shortcut to my Windows 11 taskbar. They'd already added ads to my start menu and preinstalled a bunch of garbage that should be opt-in, not opt-out, so I was just fed up with it at that point. Plus, Linux is so much more customizable. Been running Mint for about a week and a half now, and honestly, I don't think I'll be using Windows much anymore.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] echo64@lemmy.world 35 points 11 months ago (5 children)

I switched from ubuntu to osx, and then from osx to Windows when they added wsl as that seemed as close to Linux as I needed.

Eventually, windowses windowsness wore me down, too. I don't much care about the freedom of linux, I don't want to tweak and customise things. I just want an os that is focused on being an environment for me to run my Web browser and run my tools.

Just get out of the way and let me do my nonsense

[–] Dudewitbow@lemmy.zip 5 points 11 months ago

Yhat sounds like youre looking for an OS in long term support mode. Not a good idea to use consumer OS for that purpose, as new features would always be added to retail operating systems.

[–] charliespider@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

What distribution are you on?

[–] Bronzie@sh.itjust.works 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Where would you recommend a complete Linux noob start after having used Windows his entire life?
I'm in your boat: I want an OS that works (more or less) and will let me browse, listen to music and occasionally fire up a game or two without forcing new money grabbing crap down my throat.
I enjoy troubleshooting strange issues now and then, but if it's a daily occurrence I'm not interested.

Thank you in advance!

[–] echo64@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago (3 children)

just grab Ubuntu or Linux Mint, and ignore everyone who seems mad about things.

Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, but it'll feel more at home for a windows user. Ubuntu is a good base because they include drivers that make hardware work, but aren't open source. a lot of linux os's don't do that and it just makes life harder.

Aside from that, if you have a Nvidia gpu it's going to be a pain and there's not a lot you can do about it, nvidia sucks on linux. If you want to install an app, use https://flathub.org/ - it'll make life easier in the long run to just install things from there.

[–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 1 points 11 months ago

I'd say Debian has closed the gap, now that Bookworm and onwards include nonfree firmware by default

[–] Bronzie@sh.itjust.works 1 points 11 months ago

Cheers!

I’ll dual boot Mint then.

[–] sekhat@lemmy.temporus.me 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

While Nvidia isn't as great on Linux as other cards. It generally works. It's pretty much fine on Xorg, slowly getting there with Wayland. At least using Nvidia with Hyprland which wlroots based Wayland compositor worked for most cases.

[–] echo64@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

At least using Nvidia with Hyprland which wlroots based Wayland compositor worked for most cases.

this is the part where it doesn't work well and you are doing all these hoops to try and get something usable ;) what you consider "pretty much fine", "getting there", "worked for most cases" is all annoying and broken for others

compared to intel and amd, nvidia on linux is awful and full of roadblocks - i'll always recommend people stay away if they are going to use linux unless they are comfortable with all the pain

[–] danielfgom@lemmy.world 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

You should take some time to look at fsf.org and gnu.org and read up is what Free Software is. It is literally the most important set of principles in the history of computing.

Without these principles, your Linux system would not exist.

It's well worth your time.

[–] echo64@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Hi, I've been around linux and free software since likely before you were born, Theres a good chance that if you use gui software on linux today you are using some of the code I've written.

Please don't lecture people like this, it's offputting and insulting.

[–] danielfgom@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

Sadly most Linux users today seem totally clueless as to what the Free Software Movement is. They just see it as another OS. This point of view will see Linux eventually become as full of proprietary junk as the other OS'. Or even proprietary itself.

I'll stop now, but this is a free speech platform. People are free to ignore me. No one is forcing them to read this.

Lastly, thank you for all your hard work on the code. Appreciate it. 👍

[–] PseudoSpock@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

I don’t much care about the freedom of linux

But you should care, Linux is for those that care.

[–] echo64@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

No, it isn't. it's a kernel for people to use, and the surrounding ecosystem is still just something for people to use.

You enjoy the niche of ultra freedom, good for you. Have fun. Don't say that other people have to enjoy what you enjoy.

[–] PseudoSpock@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Even the license disagrees with you.