(I can't seem to find a topic for this already, but if this is a duplicate, please remove/merge this.)
(You can also move this if it's in the wrong forum.)

This topic is for discussion of everything related to GNU/Linux distributions and operating systems, the Linux kernel or other related projects (like GNU Linux-libre), or other topics relating to Linux in some way.

Linux is a free and open source kernel that is used in many operating systems. When combined with GNU's coreutils, a GNU/Linux distribution is created. Linux dominates in nearly every field of computing besides the desktop/laptop. There are many desktop/laptop GNU/Linux distributions; some popular ones are Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian, and Manjaro. Advanced users may use a distribution like Arch Linux or Gentoo. Some operating systems use Linux as a kernel, but don't include GNU coreutils. Such systems include Google's Android and Chrome OS.

There are many reasons people choose to use GNU/Linux. One reason is that Linux is free and open source. This means that 1. it costs no money to download and use the majority of GNU/Linux distributions, 2. the source code is publicly available, meaning anyone can modify the code for themselves, look through and check it, and fix bugs or vulnerabilities very quickly, and 3. it respects your freedoms, in that anyone is allowed to use Linux for any purpose and do anything with their operating systems, without fear of a company revoking your license or ownership. Another reason people use GNU/Linux is that many (including myself) simply think it's better than Windows or macOS. It may be easier to some, more customizable, better looking, better performing (this is noticable on older devices), etc.

Let's discuss!

i use arch btw

install gentoo

DesuNyaa wrote:

install gentoo

Lol, ik this is a meme but I'm honestly curious what Gentoo has to offer that Arch doesn't. The only thing I know is Gentoo is source based while Arch is binary based, but idk exactly what that means for me.

bump

I'm a few days late to this, but Valve has just proposed changes to the Linux kernel that would help performance, specifically in gaming. Valve is on a role imo with their Linux support, and they're a big factor in the success that Linux both has, and will hopefully get in the future. The beauty of free software.

Now Valve just has to free/open steam, and Linux gaming will probably go wild.

discussion_man wrote:

I'm a few days late to this, but Valve has just proposed changes to the Linux kernel that would help performance, specifically in gaming. Valve is on a role imo with their Linux support, and they're a big factor in the success that Linux both has, and will hopefully get in the future. The beauty of free software.

Now Valve just has to free/open steam, and Linux gaming will probably go wild.

The link I tried to put in isn't working for some reason, so here: https://lkml.org/lkml/2019/7/30/1399

Necroposting basically doesn't exist on TIRAP, so fun fact: you can install Linux apps and run the Linux console on New Chromebooks.
Go to Settings, then click “Linux (beta)” and install the console.
The app is called Terminal. There's a few commands you have to run, but you can now download apps like Minecraft Bedrock Edition and the Scratch offline editor.
yes, i know there's a scratch app available on new chromebooks

I use Debian!

Yall use Fredora

go ahead

start CS on Mint with your gamepad plugged in

i use arch btw
i dont use arch, i needed to say it for the meme

zahmbie1 wrote:

i use arch btw
i dont use arch, i needed to say it for the meme

RIP

I’d just like to interject for a moment. What you’re refering to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I’ve recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX.

Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called Linux, and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.

There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine’s resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called Linux distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux!

FA86 wrote:

go ahead

start CS on Mint with your gamepad plugged in

mint is pretty pog. dont use it anymore, but it was great while i did

TopCode wrote:

FA86 wrote:

go ahead

start CS on Mint with your gamepad plugged in

mint is pretty pog. dont use it anymore, but it was great while i did

Mint was epic but very limiting, it did have the SSD reformating options that I needed to switch to Windows but in the end I had to wipe my entire drive away to reformat it, that was pain, lost lots of art to it.

besides the reformating lying to me it was actually ok.

zahmbie1 wrote:

i use arch btw
i dont use arch, i needed to say it for the meme

well then you can't say it-

wait I just responded to a random thing someone said three years ago and probably doesn't even remember.

bumpium

8to16 wrote:

bumpium

yes

after seeing how poopy windows has become i'm considering switching to linux, not really figured it out yet tho

I use Raspberry Pi