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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Is the "Year of Linux" actually a trap? (the.unknown-universe.co.uk)

submitted 1 day ago by TheIPW@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I’ve spent years championing Linux as the only escape from Big Tech, but I’m starting to get twitchy.

While we’re distracted by the Steam Deck making Linux "mainstream," the corporate players and politicians are busy building a digital cage. Between California’s AB-1043 mandates and Microsoft’s "Face Check" infrastructure, I’m worried we’re heading for a hard schism: "Sanitised Linux" vs the "Free Rebel" distros.

If the compliant, age-gated version becomes the industry standard, where does that leave the rest of us? Digital exile?

I’ve put some thoughts together on why the "Golden Cage" is closing in and why education, not mandates, is the only real fix.

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[–] Tenderizer78@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You need ID to drive a car, which is essential in modern America. Worse still you need ID to rent a house and that's normally getting fed straight into a massive insecure database. The advantage of Linux is that we could theoretically choose who we give our ID to (whether that's Red Hat, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Debian, Arch, etc). Handing over your ID is necessary for some essential parts of modern life, and while I wouldn't want to hand it over to access my operating system, I would be able to accept it.

Thinking critically, let's imagine that only government approved companies could verify your ID and those companies are Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Persona. At that point I'd ... really hate it but I'd hand over my ID. Then I'd double check my operating system isn't logging and sharing my internet traffic.

There's no indication that our online traffic will be required by law to be linked with our proven ID. If such a thing does happen, then firstly we are totally screwed, and secondly it would likely involve all major websites participating. We fundamentally won't be able to get around it in that case.

[–] aim_at_me@lemmy.nz 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I dont like the drivers license equivalence. Its physical, so not so easy to check. Driving car is a danger to others so it’s in society’s interest to have driver identifiers.

Handing over machine readible widespread technological identifiers to even participate in life is dystopian.

[–] Tenderizer78@lemmy.ml 1 points 21 hours ago

Firstly, the ID requirements for renting a place to live are a more apt example.

Secondly, it depends how the ID is used. If my ID isn't being associated with my online traffic then it isn't the end of the world.