this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2025
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Linux

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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.

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[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Wut. It's the single most deployed OS on the planet. By multitudes. WTF are you talking about?

[–] doubtingtammy@lemmy.ml 14 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Most deployed Kernel, but not desktop OS right? I don't want to, but I will post the gnu/linux copy pasta

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world -4 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Where is the mention here of Desktop?

[–] doubtingtammy@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're refering to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX.

Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called Linux, and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.

There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called Linux distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux!

In other words, Linux is the most deployed kernel. But if you're talking about the "linux OS" then you're probably actually thinking of GNU/linux, which I don't think is as widely deployed as windows (maybe I'm wrong? that's why I was asking). Or, you can include all OS's using a linux kernel, in which case you'll include all androids, but that's not what most people mean when they talk about linux os.

[–] 3abas@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Context clues my dude. You said it yourself, Linux runs the majority of servers, so what would be "the recent rise of Linux" talking about? Linux for end user clients (desktop).

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world -3 points 1 week ago

That's like saying "With the recent rise of EVs, we're super excited about the air being cleaner"...and you're talking about Tesla. Context clues are pointless in your example, "dude".

[–] brem@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm talking about Linux OS overtaking Microsoft OS on the world stage. Aren't we on the same page? ...or are you on stage with Larry Page? Don't mistake the Stevens for a misconcepted meanin'. It's all leanin' towards Linux cleaning up the cynics.

Again...Linux is deployed to more devices on the planet than any other OS, beating MS by a long shot.

Are you just referring to Desktop?

[–] Ganbat@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 week ago

Forrest for the trees