this post was submitted on 05 Oct 2023
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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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Don't take me wrong, there's some truth to this. But the way it's written screams "Windows users are drones because of evil Microsoft". That level of bias is not really constructive. There are more reasonable/rational ways to expand upon this phenemonon that doesn't end up in a circlejerk. Since it's quite a big wall of text, I will give one example.
The author makes a broad generalization that, because of Windows' mystification of its inner workings, Windows users can't even imagine the thought of becoming a programmer. And well, I know plenty of programmers that to this day have not even touched anything but Windows. Some of them never use the terminal, but some are quite good at it.
I might need to read it again to be sure but I don't think that's what they were saying. I believe they're talking about something which has been Arch Linux's philosophy from the beginning which is "know your system". The process by which you do that is first understanding that Arch is modular and highly configurable. You then choose every component from your Window Manager to your File Manager. The demystification is from you taking the initiative to learn about your options before deciding "I like this one" and then installing it and then configuring it suit your preferences. You don't have to be programmer to do this, you can follow the ArchWiki or watch SomeOrdinaryGamers install Arch from scratch to a usable system in 45 mins.
The reason the "know your system" philosophy is important is that you, the user, are in control. You are simultaneously the end-user and the sysadmin. You know what you're installing so if something breaks, there's this handy terminal to tell you what happened. If that's not helpful, rollback your changes and try again. Computer too slow? Throw open htop and watch your processes. Trying to kill a stubborn process? F4 to search for it. F9 to bring up the command menu. 9 to select SIGKILL and pres enter.
You'll probably say "that's a lot of steps to kill a process" but with routine use, it becomes muscle memory. The more the use it, the more efficient you become at using it.
Your mindset is that if you use any pre-built solution it's always worse? Do you take this approach to the rest of your life? Do you not eat out ever and cook every meal from scratch, that way if you have a reaction you can eliminate ingredients. That way you know exactly what's going into your body. Yah that seems like a lot of steps for every meal, but with routine it becomes muscle memory and you get efficient. I'm also assuming you build your own cars.
I mean the concept is silly on its face. It's not a bad option for people, but it is by no means required. And there is no problem with it. Using a pre built solution is fine. Anyone who has ever worked in tech knows the concept of build vs buy. This falls right into that. Using a best on class black box solution or building your own, there are pros and cons to each.
I'll offer a balanced position and say nobody can do it all themselves, but I think everyone should strive to be self-sufficient in at least one aspect of modern living. My neighbor grows their own food. My dad is good with cars. My aunt makes quilts and dishware. A society that has crafty knowledge widely distributed like this makes it more likely everyone knows an expert on a given thing, helping prevent people from getting screwed by terrible products. An Arch Linux user might be able to manage linux for 100 close people in their social graph, or at least advocate for it. This also keeps industry from having 100% market share.