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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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Official vs FOSS software? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 1 year ago by remotedev@lemmy.ca to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Sorry if this isn't the right place to ask this, I couldn't find a linux-no-stupid-questions community lol.

I'm migrating again to linux, and working on Linux Mint for now to avoid a huge change due to my upcoming program for school soon where I won't have extra time to fiddle with things. So I'm trying to get everything set up, and download my most used applications, but I'm trying to figure out - should I be downloading the official software if it's available, or is it better to find a FOSS alternative instead? I plan to go with the apps that come with it like the libre office instead of Microsoft, obviously, but I was looking at Discord and there is what appears to be an official looking option in the software manager app, and below it a FOSS WebCord option. Or, if this one isn't the official, I could always go to the discord site and get it from them if they have it available.

Does it matter which option I go with? Is it better to go with official software if possible? Or is it better to go with FOSS for more control/privacy?

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[–] ozoned@beehaw.org 20 points 1 year ago

Please NEVER stop asking questions. As other have said, there really are no stupid questions.

If someone else acts like it's a stupid question, then it's their issue and not yours. NOTHING is easy until you understand it. The only way to understand it is to ask questions.

I've told numerous folks at work that before they do something if they have a question then let me know, because I'd rather answer a question then spend an hour or more fixing something broken.

I ask a LOT of questions. So many questions that when I first started in IT I had a lead that got used to me being in the office 2 hours before him so he knew I'd have a million questions and before he'd even go to his desk he'd stop by mine and ask if I had questions, which I always did.

Please please please please please ASK QUESTIONS.

I have been in IT for 12 years now, I have been on Linux for 16. Before this post I literally was in another thread and asked about BTRFS. I looked it up and it wasn't making sense to me, so I asked a question. You can NEVER know EVERYTHING. And when you start to get comfortable that's when something new comes out or you start digging deeper and have more.