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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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What was Linux like in the 90s (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 2 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

180 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I really wish that I was born early so I've could witness the early years of Linux. What was it like being there when a kernel was released that would power multiple OSes and, best of all, for free?

I want know about everything: software, hardware, games, early community, etc.

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 days ago (2 children)

My pranks were less destructive ... /ctcp nick +++ath0+++ ... it was amazing how often that worked. 🤣

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 days ago

PRESS ALT+F4 for ops! 😂

OMG… the showmanship…

Someone-being-bratty-on-IRC: […]
Me: We’re going to take away your internet access if you don’t behave. 
Bratty: Fuck you! You can’t do tha
5 minutes later…
Bratty: How did you do that???

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Thats a new one on me. What did that do if I may ask? Best I have been able to figure out is that it's probably IRC related but that's it.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Explained nicely here: https://everything2.com/title/%252B%252B%252BATH0

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago

Wow, a post from 2001 that's still online today. You don't see that often any more!

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

+++ath0 is a command that tells a dial up modem to disconnect. I've never seen it used in IRC this way, but my guess is that the modem would see this coming from the computer and disconnect.

This was back in the days when everything was unencrypted.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yes, and encryption had nothing to do with it (though I suppose it would have prevented it in this case).

A properly configured modem would ignore this coming from the Internet side, or escape the characters so that they didn't form that string.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Encryption would prevent it - that's what I meant :)

I think the trick is to convince someone to send that string, so the modem sees it coming from the computer. Similar to tricking someone into pressing Alt+F4 or Ctrl+Alt+Del twice on Windows 9x.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

encryption would prevent the modem from seeing it when someone sends it, but such a short string will inevitably appear once in a while in ciphertext too. so, it would actually make it disconnect at random times instead :)

(edit: actually at seven bytes i guess it would only occur once in every 72PB on average...)