this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2026
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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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Canadians have a historic opportunity to punch Microsoft in the face (lemmy.ml)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by Ziip@lemmy.zip to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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In peaceful times, people cling to broken systems simply because "that's how it's always been done". Comfort is a prison.

This crisis is a great opportunity to screw Microsoft.

Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder.

Canadians should be agressively lobbying their politicians to embrace Linux and the open source ecosystem. Call your representatives. Write to your city council. Contact your town IT department. Do it now.

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[–] Initech_vs_Initrode@lemmy.zip 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The average office worker has a good chance of a complete meltdown if an icon on their desktop is moved. Government and business are not going to move to Linux on the desktop.

I fully recognize the absurdity of this, particularly in an era when a huge number of office jobs are basically just interacting with a web browser. I've just spent enough time writing software for "regular folks" to see why it's not going to happen.

[–] gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Lookup "Gendarmierie Linux Switchover"

It's already happened.

Edit: quote

The Gendarmerie Nationale has run a Linux desktop environment continuously since 2008. By June 2024 it had reached 103,164 workstations, around 97 per cent of the force's computing estate.

They even have their own Ubuntu fork, GendBuntu

[–] Simon_Shitewood@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Are cops actually using the OS though, or is it just what their proprietary policing software runs on now? Last time I was in a cop shop in the UK they all seemed to be working through the same full screen interface, so the OS seemed irrelevant.

[–] gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Look at the Timeline heading on the wiki page, turns out yes, actually using it

[–] gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What does "97% of workstations" mean?

[–] Simon_Shitewood@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You misunderstand me - are the police actually using the desktop environment, clicking menus and launching programs, or is the OS just a vehicle for them to run one program that covers all their tasks and duties? Because the commenter's point was that people who are actually using the DE hate change, so your example will be irrelevant if the cops aren't actually using the DE.

[–] gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Fuck knows, I doubt 97% of all workstations run just the one app though

But I ain't french, or a cop (ACAB), so I don't know for certain

[–] RepleteLocum@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

As a glowy, the same sap, ms word and some db or registry software.

[–] gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 2 days ago

So libreoffice, some sap, some db and registry