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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The Perfect Linux Distribution (juliette.page)

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

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The author of the blog post likes X, that's why distro A ~~is~~ might be the perfect distro for them. While I like Y, which is why distro B is the perfect distro for me etc. What makes Linux -in a sense as a platform- ~~perfect~~ great is that it allows one to either find/install/build/configure the perfect system for them^[1]^. Some prefer to be in full control from start to finish, while others just like sane defaults. The fact that Linux allows for such diversity is almost mind-blowing.

The degree of that diversity will only increase as time goes on and very likely at some point (purely as a side-effect of further diversification) very 'dumped down' versions of Linux might -and perhaps already have- arise. This is inevitable and -perhaps to a degree- essential. And no matter how 'dumped down' some Linux distros would have become by then, you can still bet your money that distros like Gentoo and Slackware will continue to do what they always have. So that everybody and their mom, but also the tinker-loving you, will be able to have their perfect distro.

Therefore I don't see any merit/benefit in contributing to gatekeeping, elitism or whatever this is supposed to be. Instead, we should contribute in more meaningful ways; e.g. like by maintaining some packages you need in your perfect distro. And perhaps those changes will actually contribute to it becoming the perfect distro for others...

I'd argue Linux isn't quite there yet, unfortunately. As some highly specialized systems just don't exist yet... Regardless, l would reckon it allows one to get the closest to such systems.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I agree with this 100%, every word. Well, almost every word; the expression is "dumbed down" not "dumped down", but other than that, this is basically what I was going to say.

I find that elitist, gatekeepy posts like what OP said are completely unhelpful. They're worse than wrong, because they can't even yield useful discussion, really - just neck beards nodding vigorously and everyone else rolling their eyes.

You want a stable, locked down system? Vanilla OS, Silverblue, Blend, and Aeon will have you covered. You want to tinker? Debian, Fedora, Arch, and OpenSuse are still there. Linux is about choice, and it's just silly to worry that Arch is going to disappear just because Blend (or Garuda, or whatever the hell) exist.