this post was submitted on 20 Dec 2021
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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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I ditched Windows BTW.

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[–] hun7r@lemmy.ml 24 points 2 years ago

Would be nice if EU did same.

[–] 3arn0wl@lemmy.ml 19 points 2 years ago (2 children)

It makes a lot of sense :

  • the tech trade dispute is forcing China to design and manufacture its own processors.
  • open source operating systems are already working on RISC-V architecture, and apps are being ported.

ergo : US tech's proprietary systems - X86 and Micro$oft - are set to be excluded from 20% of the world's tech marketplace.

Not only that : China is a big manufacturer of the world's electronics... they'll no doubt start exporting hardware with open source software too.

[–] 3arn0wl@lemmy.ml 12 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Plus there are a lot of concerns about all the information Micro$oft mines from its OS : it's not suitable for government use afaic.

[–] YourPKIPoster@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Interesting to know that. Every OS has its downsides tbh, the Chinese one is no exception. China is notorious for its censorship already and now it's planning to develop its Linux-based OS? Would it slip free of Zhongnanhai's hands?

[–] plu@lemmy.ml -2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I wonder if this will endanger the Maoist and Marxist opposition in China if it's widely implemented.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 15 points 2 years ago (1 children)

2022 will finally be the year of Linux on the desktop :)

[–] sibachian@lemmy.ml 15 points 2 years ago

This should be a universal decisions. A foreign company should not have been allowed to siphon tax money for decades on a global scale. Especially considering a government funding is otherwise used in research and production that benefits us all. That most of us still let this happen in our countries is the greatest modern scam. Well that, along with the consumer computer windows tax, what happened with directx misinformation campaign, IE, etc. How governments didn't distance themselves from microsoft already is a serious question. Especially considering how so many institutes are now stuck with proprietary windows XP exclusive software and unable to update. The security risk is absurd.

[–] savoy@lemmygrad.ml 13 points 2 years ago

Hell yeah, the people's republic should never rely on closed-source software, especially Western

[–] ganymede@lemmy.ml 12 points 2 years ago

Fantastic decision

[–] plu@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Completely regardless of your stance on China, this is a good thing. Less money and grasp for Microsoft means more development power for free systems, and perhaps even a more contested market over here if it works in China.

Let's be level for a minute: Western capitalists constantly copy the pioneer ideas of Chinese capitalists. They view China as testing grounds.

[–] mp3@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

And it's a good thing for them, being less reliant on a foreign nation for their infrastructure is a good move. It doesn't stop them from being pissed off when said foreign nations decide to avoid Huawei for their telecom infra.

[–] wigglehard@wolfballs.com 8 points 2 years ago

Bill gates has left the chat

[–] Tetsuo666@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is an article from 2020 and I'm fairly sure it didn't happen.

[–] Aatube@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 year ago

Here’s one from 2022, in with only 20% of government computers still use Windows. This article also only mentions government computers. I say it’s very possible that the government has fully switched to Linux. I tried daily driving Deepin 20 once and the only major problem was that most of its packages were very outdated.

[–] glorpster@feddit.de 7 points 2 years ago (2 children)

This could bring an influx of new users to Linux, which would be a boost for the open source operating system, though it’s likely that any distro the Chinese government uses would be heavily modified and restricted.

On paper, this could be good news for Linux. However, any OS the Chinese government uses will likely be heavily regulated and censored, which is contrary to what the Linux and open source communities stand for.

Seems like the tangible benefits for the linux and open source community expected from that might be somewhat limited. Maybe some gov workers will switch to linux privately and maybe the gov might end up funding some projects, but they probably won't contribute to the open source community directly.

[–] Colorish@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I think more than a "practical" advantage over Windows, Linux will improve his reputation. At least I hope that, rn it's impossible for an average person to prefer Linux over Windows or other OSes

[–] 3arn0wl@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 years ago

I'm not so sure about that...

If CAS's work on a desktop-power processor goes according to plan, the reality might well be that, over the next few years, Microsoft software simply won't flash onto any new hardware avialable to buy.

There are already versions of Linux being used... My guess is - simply because they are the easy solution - they will be adopted.

One of the attractive things about open source software is that it can be audited... And if the people are not happy with one open source operating system, they can always flash an alternative.

[–] OsrsNeedsF2P@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Anyone familiar with Chinese politics + technology want to chime in on how likely various levels of Windows ditching is to happen?

EDIT: This is from February 2020. Have they made any progress yet?

[–] Colorish@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago

Great opportunity for linux!

[–] YourPKIPoster@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 years ago

Super based. Down with Big Tech. Marg bar Amrika. APLICAR EL LINUX

[–] IngrownMink4@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 years ago

I look forward to seeing Deepin's progress when it is adopted as standard in China.

[–] 10_0@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 years ago (2 children)

windows to which linux distro?

[–] Mugmoor@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 year ago

Yellow Turban Linux coming soon?

If only Russia would follow suit. I've noticed they've had a problem with their Windows crashing.

[–] grapemix@lemmy.ml -4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It's pretty ironic that a country known for oppressing people's freedom to take advantage of an OS famous for spreading freedom. I suddenly feel like I built guns for serial killers.