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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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107

Is the "Year of Linux" actually a trap? (the.unknown-universe.co.uk)

submitted 1 week ago by TheIPW@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I’ve spent years championing Linux as the only escape from Big Tech, but I’m starting to get twitchy.

While we’re distracted by the Steam Deck making Linux "mainstream," the corporate players and politicians are busy building a digital cage. Between California’s AB-1043 mandates and Microsoft’s "Face Check" infrastructure, I’m worried we’re heading for a hard schism: "Sanitised Linux" vs the "Free Rebel" distros.

If the compliant, age-gated version becomes the industry standard, where does that leave the rest of us? Digital exile?

I’ve put some thoughts together on why the "Golden Cage" is closing in and why education, not mandates, is the only real fix.

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[–] orioler25@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Oh, no it wouldnt be like "we're mandating this through legislation," because that is typically really hard to defend. They're more likely to simply provide subsidies or some sort of financial benefit to larger, more compliant entities.

[–] ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Systemd is already having to revert an age verification merge because the Linux community flipped shit and the Dev who did it was getting death threats.

[–] orioler25@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I think you're underestimating how much of a problem liberal states are in their use of soft power. I don't doubt that most Linux users and devs would resist, I'm saying that it would definitely be a threat for liberal states to dedicate resources to influencing norms and access. They don't need to "win" as in complete and utter domination of every aspect of development for Linux to have a massive and negative effect. Think about how much more labour the US state has at is disposal than the entirety of the Linux community; how much more resources it has that could be dedicated to the privileging of projects that do comply.

Yes, how to resist is certainly important to consider, but there's no way to design that resistance if you ignore the tools at their disposal. Look at how big Zorin got from just a timely marketing campaign or the fact that corporate- and enterprise-oriented revenue models are already deeply influential on the landscape even without state promotion.