this post was submitted on 14 Jun 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 have plenty of philosophical arguments regarding support of free software, and building our own way online we can wax poetic about. There's also a discussion to be had of the benefits of a 'bazaar' over a 'cathedral' style of software use.
There's plenty of great reasons to search out alternatives and not wind up 'beholden' to or reliant on any one mega corporation. We're responsible for the bridges built for those that come after us, do we want those bridges built by Apple and Facebook, or built by the public? You may think that as a user, your choice of operating system doesn't matter, but your choices do have an active effect on those around you.
At the end of the day though, if you have a work flow that you're happy with and there's no reason to change or upset it, I tend to tell people to do what they're comfortable with. However since you've asked this question to begin with, maybe you're looking for a challenge and just looking for a push?
push
When I started using Linux a good 25 or so years ago, I wasn't super techie by any stretch. But I was captured by Stallman and the GPL and the philosophy behind it. I have always been more than willing to deal with the pain or limitations just because I believed in the philosophy. These days it's much easier as so many things Just Work^tm^ out of the box. But you are right, everyone has to decide their own values and morals, and the compromises we make with ourselves.