this post was submitted on 20 Aug 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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Why don't more people use desktop Linux? I have a theory you might not like (www.zdnet.com)
submitted 1 year ago by Nicbudd@beehaw.org to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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I'm curious to hear thoughts on this. I agree for the most part, I just wish people would see the benefit of choice and be brave enough to try it out.

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[–] user224@lemmy.sdf.org 84 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Or because Windows comes pre-installed on almost all machines. Many people don't even know what "operating system" is. It's just a part of the computer for them.

[–] snack_pack_rodriguez@lemmy.ca 59 points 1 year ago (2 children)

steam deck proves this. If everyone loved windows so much they would install it on the deck but they don't. Microsoft pays the PC makers in the states a lot of money to keep Windows Pre-Installed. Even then Hp put our a dev Linux Laptop because Dev's want a Unix like OS ether Linux or Mac.

[–] JasSmith@kbin.social 14 points 1 year ago

Valve made games "just work" on the Steam Deck. No tweaks, CLI, hacks, or major performance issues. They took away the friction. I hope that in time all games will just work on Linux. When that happens and I can use my gaming peripherals like wheels and pedals I'll be giving up Windows on my gaming PC.

[–] HughJanus@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago

Man this is so wrong, I don't even know where to start.

If everyone loved windows so much they would install it on the deck

  1. Valve has dedicated millions of dollars to making shit work on Linux so that MS cannot control them.

  2. Specifically on handhelds, Windows is ass. Because it's not designed for them. That's why Valve developed a version of Linux specifically intended for this single device.

  3. Windows is still installed on like 95% of gaming PCs because "everyone loves it so much".

Microsoft pays the PC makers in the states a lot of money to keep Windows Pre-Installed.

What? No. MS charges the PC makers to install Windows, not the other way around... Why would they pay them?

[–] aleph@lemm.ee 20 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Bingo.

Despite what the clickbait headline says, the main barrier to entry is not just knowing what an operating system is but the know-how to go about replacing the one that came with the computer in the first place. The decision over which distro to choose is relatively easy once you've got past that initial stage.

[–] socphoenix@midwest.social 9 points 1 year ago

Or MacOS. They've made it seem like those are the only two options besides chromebooks which are just for those who don't want to spend money.