this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2023
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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 guess we'll have to forgive you for not understanding the purpose of the operating system, but that's basically the fundamental system software and drivers that make it possible for the system to even work in the first place.
All apps/programs require an operating system to run on and communicate with.
Go ahead, format your drive and install only your favorite web app. It won't start. Web apps aren't designed to start the system, that's what the operating system does.
I think I understand the purpose of an operating system, but I meant for the casual desktop user. I'm sorry, I forgot to put it in the question. Obviously operating systems must exist, otherwise you'll only have the hardware. I get that, but I mean that for a desktop user, who treats their computers as bootloaders to the browser, so to speak, will different operating systems be relevant for them, i.e. the majority of users?
Until my browser does all things as well as an native app does, yes.
If I may ask, what native apps that you use that are not available as web-based applications yet?
Not OP, but “not available” is pretty different from “works as well as”
My native PDF viewer, document/text editor, music player, and email client all work significantly better than any web-based option I’ve found, for example
If you can do every single thing that you mentioned either online or offline but with the browser (or browser engine based applications), would you?
If the browser engine can be optimized enough, sure. It’s just nowhere near close at the moment
A (semi-)joke video called “The Birth and Death of JavaScript” envisions a future where JavaScript gets pulled down into the kernel.
I’m not entirely convinced it’s possible, but if we find a way to make it as efficient while also keeping security and privacy concerns met, I don’t care that much what language I’m using
https://www.destroyallsoftware.com/talks/the-birth-and-death-of-javascript