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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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Ending support for Windows 10 could send 240 million computers to the landfill. Why not install Linux on them? (gadgettendency.com)

submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by Gemini24601 to c/[email protected]

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With support ending for Windows 10, the most popular desktop operating system in the world currently, possibly 240 million pcs may be sent to the landfill. This is mostly due to Windows 11’s exorbitant requirements. This will most likely result in many pcs being immediately outdated, and prone to viruses. GNU/Linux may be these computers’ only secure hope, what do you think?

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[–] Waluigis_Talking_Buttplug 23 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Lots of hospitals seem to be running XP

[–] [email protected] 23 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I work in the behavioral health field as an IT security admin and network with hospitals/health clinics all all the time. The amount of them using XP and 7 in some capacity should scare everyone. The other security admins know it's an issue, but they just laugh it off.

I tell them if I were an immoral man, their company would be compromised just based off of that information.

[–] kautau 9 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I work for an emergency management SaaS company and we block outdated OSs and browsers and it’s wild how we will occasionally get pushback from potential new customers who are surprised we don’t support their outdated IT infrastructure due to the security risk

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

"what do you mean you don't service tin cans on a string?!"

[–] [email protected] 11 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Windows XP is basically firmware at this point, and has been for over a decade.

Lots of proprietary hardware that works perfectly, will not work on newer versions of Windows due to lack of drivers.

I see it constantly in factory situations with scales, scanners and robot controllers, it would only be worse for million dollar x-ray machines.

[–] EuroNutellaMan 14 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

This. A lot of our lab's instruments are proprietary garbage. I wish the people buy these extremely expensive instruments would actually research if there's open source alternatives or help pressure the government's into forcing the code to be open. A lot of (public) spending for research is due to this sort of bs "instruments which only works with its own proprietary software" btw. The other good portion is eaten up by scumbags like Elsevier and other publishers.

As long as that machine is disconnected from the internet it's OK but as soon as you connect it you are cooked.

[–] Thwompthwomp 4 points 10 months ago

It’s been getting absolutely worse and worse with hardware as they shovel crap at you and then also expect you to buy subscriptions to make it usable. Keysight/agilent/ whoever they are had been really annoying about this.