this post was submitted on 04 Mar 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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im a windows user myself,i dont like linux nor use it. but i did use it before (pop os).

so im intersed in knowing why some people like it.

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[–] flameleaf@lemmy.ml 4 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

It works.

Which is a quality of standard that Windows does not maintain. I wouldn't wish that garbage on my worst enemy.

[–] daggermoon@piefed.world 1 points 16 hours ago

Linux is Communism. Need I say more?

[–] utopiah@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

i dont like linux nor use it

What is this? Arguing with a 5yo? No offense but do you genuinely believe "I don't like X" without even explaining why could lead to interesting conversations? Do better. At least provider argument on why you like Windows (there are actually some good reasons, even for people who don't like Microsoft) and why you don't like Linux (there also are good reason).

You're not actually "intersed" otherwise you'd have at least bothered to link to couple articles, videos, etc arguing either way and would have at least taken the time to write 2 sentences properly.

Blocked as I have to assume it's either engagement bait or just the laziest person on Earth.

[–] oopsgodisdeadmybad@lemmy.zip 3 points 21 hours ago

Preach!

I get pissed off by typos in general, but when it's just a quick chat and they missed the correct letter by one or just bad autocorrect, I can deal. (at least until they "accidentally a word" too many times to be readable)

But going to a group you disagree with to ask questions and get answers while, speaking like a kid in elementary school is actually bewildering.

Unless they actually are a kid in elementary school.

[–] Broken@lemmy.ml 27 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Linux does what I tell it to.

Windows does what it wants. Either what it thinks I want it to do, or what Microsoft wants me to do.

Considering I paid for my computer, I like having control over it. It's that simple.

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[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I use Windows at work. It's not a personal computer. It's a computer controlled by microsoft, capital, etc.

In my personal life I prefer freedom and control.

[–] mech@feddit.org 10 points 1 day ago

Linux is an operating system. It handles your system resources and makes them available to your applications. It was built by devs who tried to make the system good.

Windows is a marketing tool. It is designed to get the user to subscribe to the cloud services that make Microsoft money.
It was built by devs who tried to make the system profitable.

[–] TimeSquirrel@kbin.melroy.org 18 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm a tinkerer. It's made for people like me that like to take stuff apart and put it back together to see how it works. It also, quite literally, does EXACTLY as I tell it and set it up to operate. It is MY operating system and MY computer to 100% control however I wish, not some stale-ass predatory slop-driven corporation's.

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[–] NathanUp@lemmy.ml 14 points 1 day ago

Everything everyone else said, but also it literally has more features. KDE Plasma and apps like Dolphin make Windows look like a toy.

[–] bassad@jlai.lu 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Faster, lighter, stronger.

I still can use a 15yo laptop for daily tasks, still boot in less than 20s (with ssd).

No surprises, I remember having stuff unremovable, like google toolbar, and no forced reboot when you are still working (they fixed this issue).

Software management is way faster : you don't have to download a zip, unzip, hit the .exe, then accept a fuckload of agreements.

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[–] Username85920@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago

I like the way Linux handles updates. I like the way it handles privacy (opt-in instead of opt-out) I like the fact that I'm never forced to do anything (going to windows 11, keeping bloat software, updates) I like that it is light and quick. I like to be able to choose a desktop environment and distro. I like that it is open-source and I don't want to use US big tech corpo. I like that it does not try to sell me anything.

I don't like not being able to play some games and printer setup.

[–] MyBrainHurts@piefed.ca 15 points 1 day ago

It's free and using it means I don't have to support American tech companies.

[–] bizdelnick@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago

It doesn't hide what's under the hood and permits to fix/modify it. Yes, I'm a nerd.

[–] originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com 16 points 1 day ago (19 children)

i like not having to have a microsoft account to utilize it.

you know whats really awesome? being able to decide if i want updates. or a tightly-integrated piece of shit llm.

being able to modify literally every aspect of the shell.

windows 3.1 was more theme-able than win11.

linux works out of the box for all the old people i repurpose machines for and i dont have to think about cloud-connect bullshit. fuck, half of them dont notice its not windows until i mention it.

better question is why the fuck would you use windows without being paid to?

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[–] parlor3949@anarchist.nexus 3 points 1 day ago

Because it just works. I don't have to worry about new features being pushed out that break prod

And because it does what it's told

[–] pheusie@programming.dev 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Freedom, it's that simple. Any other reason is a derived from freedom.

[–] lost_faith@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

How dare you be so succinct. Where is the flowery words that take space and say nothing?

[–] pheusie@programming.dev 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I was actually seriously considering to just write "Freedom" and call it a day. Apologies for making it more wordy than it has to be.

[–] PerogiBoi@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago

I don't like being used or taken advantage of. Simple as. When you have a Microsoft product, you are used by Microsoft. You PAY them for their operating system and then they SPY on your computer interactions. You buy their product and then you become their product as they make money off of tailoring ads to you based on where your mouse moves, what you click on, the contents of the files that you upload to OneDrive (that they then use to train Copilot with).

Linux is a tool. It helps me interface with the computer. It doesn't have an agenda behind it that involves exploiting me for money. Linux is built on the assumption that humans are humans and not wealth extraction batteries.

[–] Bluegrass_Addict@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I prefer Linux audio manipulation over windows. I despised plugging in say.. a PS4 controller and having to redo my audio because microsoft thinks it knows better then me.

I shake the mouse,l on Linux when I lose it and the cursor gets big.

Linux doesn't try to think for me... it does what I tell it too.

I can just drag windows out if full screen.. windows I gotta double click then drag away.

there's so many small qol features from people use PCs, and use their logic to fix the problems. microsoft... it's not a feature unless they can somehow make you get funneled into some space with ads.

no ads...screw all ads

it's not microslop

creators of Linux aren't working at every turn to make my experience worse in order to sell me some garbage cloud solution

Linux doesn't try to sell anything.

Linux just works...

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[–] Levi@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 day ago (6 children)

I only have to reboot when I want to, not when a corporation wants me to.

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[–] warmaster@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Because of everything.

I can chose however I want it to be and behave. It won't nag me, it won't show me ads, my hardware will receive support for ages, it consumes less resources, it's more responsive, I don't need to update any drivers, it uses less disk space, installing apps is easier, changing settings is easier, backups are easier, zero maintenance , it's reliable, it's free and open source and it uses the same Kernel that the world runs and relies on.

I'm 42, since I was less than 8 years old until now I've used:

  • DOS
  • Windows 3.11, 95, Me, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10
  • MacOS 8.1, 9, OSX 10 - 10.11

Linux:

  • Mandrake
  • Mandriva
  • Ubuntu
  • POP OS
  • Elementary
  • Manjaro
  • Endeavour
  • Debían
  • Zorin
  • Mint
  • Fedora
  • Aurora
  • Bazzite
  • Vanilla

That said the only thing I dislike is that my kids can't play EA's FC26 or Epic's Fortnite because those companies chose to actively not support Linux on purpose. Those games are predatory gambling casinos disguised as games, but still... I wish I could have the choice to play or not play them.

But that's a small price to pay for everything I get in return.

I've been running Bazzite for 2 years now. For me, it's honestly the best computing experience I've ever had. I'm very happy with it and I feel joy using it every single day, I'm in love.

[–] verdare@piefed.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 day ago

Honestly, in terms of the actual system architecture, I prefer NT’s object-based approach to the the file-based design that Linux (and other Unix systems) use.

The best part of Linux is the license. The OS can definitely be rough around the edges and have some maddening problems. But it still feels like something that is built and maintained by actual users rather than by a corporation that’s slowly trying to milk you for all you’re worth.

[–] Tenderizer78@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I like being able to choose my desktop environment.

I like knowing I'm not being spied on (although I did set my telemetry to max telemetry).

I like how Linux will keep supporting my hardware near indefinitely.

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[–] spacetff@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

OP is a troll. Likes windoze and clearly states doesn't like or use Linux so why TF even ask, especialy in a Linux community...

[–] savvywolf@pawb.social 7 points 1 day ago

I like having a system I know the internals of and can control.

But honestly, nowadays the software quality of Windows is just... Bad.

[–] huf@hexbear.net 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

the UI is incomparably better. the error messages are much more sensible and give you a chance to fix things.

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[–] lost_faith@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago

Linux isn't better than windows, it is a different ideology based on choice, it better meets our use and privacy goals. It is not loaded with "AI" yet, glaring at you Canonical, and for my needs it works with very minimal tinkering (add an app, change a setting)

[–] shrek_is_love@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago

I use NixOS because I love that every time I install an app or tweak a setting, I can document it with a commit in git. So if I fuck something up, I can revert the change. And if I get another computer, all my apps and settings are already there. And if I wanna help another NixOS user do something I've already done, I can just share the code.

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