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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Which is better: Linux or GNU/Linux (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Harry_h0udini@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/linux@lemmy.ml

123 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Why Linux is portrayed as a Penguin?

(page 2) 50 comments

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[–] raubarno@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago

Gun/Linux 🔫

[–] feanpoli@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 year ago

It depends on what matter to you. I use a GNU/Linux distribution and I call it that such because I think the project deserves to be better known. I say FLOSS rather than FOSS because I value freedom.

[–] drwho@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

tl;dr - people can be silly.

[–] Meganium97@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Why Linux is portrayed as a Penguin?

It's not.

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[–] HubertManne@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

For me its GNU/linux formally. Linux would not mean anything to me without the gpl. I would likely be using freeBSD or sticking with windows/mac. Heck I would be using mac now if they had not abandoned their great warrantly support of pre 2010

[–] thantik@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Alpine Linux is a distro without GNU, same with Android (typically Busybox and no glibc) - so just seems frivolous to add it when talking about the kernel just because some tiny amount of users have it in their systems. If it's license only, would it be better to just call it GPL/Linux?

[–] HubertManne@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago (6 children)

Maybe. Personaly I don't sue the non gnu linux except for android which I think of as android and like about as much as I like windows. So not a whole lot. Granted I appreciate what they both do but they constantly annoying me in implementations. I digress though. So for me the GNU still works. IM actually sorta curious about alpine now. Its using whole cloth implementions of functionaility like the GNU utils? I mean gnu had to do that to make gpl versions of unix commands but why did alpine bother?

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[–] savedbythezsh@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago

The GNU FAQ page goes very in-depth on every question you might have on why to call it GNU/Linux. Whether that makes you more or less likely to actually call it that is up to you!