Linux

48185 readers

1428 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

942

Linux Desktop reaches New All time high. 4.45%(+0.4) 📈🐧 (gs.statcounter.com)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

276 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

So if you did open a computer shop and are selling this plethora of Linux options, doesn't that leave you liable if there are issues with the operating system?

If I buy a laptop and my windows is running poorly don't I have windows support taking care of my windows problems?

If I buy a laptop from you with mint installed and am having problems I can't contact Linux for support, I'll have to contact you the shop owner.

Won't this liability discourage shop owners from selling laptops/desktops with Linux?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I'm no legal expert; I assume support can be either offered or completely avoided depending on the shop owner's preference. Most Linux distributions come with a "this software is free (as in freedom) and comes with no warranty or guaranteed functionality" disclaimer.

If I wanted to engage more with my clients and build more trust, I might offer some degree of troubleshooting/support for the Linux machines I sold. But I don't think I'd be under any legal obligation to offer that service just for selling the laptops.

Whether or not the computer shop offers support might affect whether or not a customer wants to shop at my store. Maybe I can sell my laptops cheaper if I don't offer support, or maybe my laptops cost a bit more because I do offer aftermarket support.