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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).

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Will operating systems still be relevant? (self.linux)

submitted 1 year ago by mafbar to c/[email protected]

38 comments fedilink hide all child comments

With lots of things being developed through web technologies, and many things being web-based so that it is cross-platform, will operating systems still be relevant?

We can differ philosophically by using Debian or Arch or Windows or Mac, but if nowadays applications are web-based or developed through something like Electron such that it can run on practically all modern operating systems. what is the relevance of operating systems galore?

Don't get me wrong I love FOSS and Linux and stuff, but it seems that the paradigm right now is creating web applications, with many things being web-based.

Am I off, or is this something you also think about?

P.S. I'm a total noob when it comes to IT, so the question might be weirdly phrased.

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[–] mafbar 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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?

[–] SMillerNL 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Until my browser does all things as well as an native app does, yes.

[–] mafbar 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If I may ask, what native apps that you use that are not available as web-based applications yet?

[–] ozymandias117 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] mafbar 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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?

[–] ozymandias117 2 points 1 year ago

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