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.
Community icon by AlpΓ‘r-Etele MΓ©der, licensed under CC BY 3.0
Happy birthday ππ GNU/Linux.
Today GNU/Linux is 32 years old.
It was thankfully released to the public on August 25th, 1991 by Linus Torvalds when he was only 21 years old student.
What a lovely journey π€
Did stallman coat-tail Linux on day one, or did he latch onto the "ackshually, it's got some gun in there so we deserve top billing" only a little after?
Probably after he gave up on his own kernel (Hurd) being a viable competitor.
I hate this language, its so fucking dehumanizing. "Viable competitor" is such bullshit. Torvalds gave away his commitment to freedom with binary blobs. That's his decision to do. But to label Hurd on that same level is the biggest disservice to history you could ever do.
Hurd will never be the "viable competitor" because you hold selfish attitudes about what makes software valuable or not.
Torvalds sold out. Hurd didn't.
@jsnc @JuxtaposedJaguar that seems a bit too βzealotβ to me. And viable competitor is exactly the right phrase to use, or am I mistaken in thinking I use Linux instead of HURD?
It is a "zealot" opinion because I don't topple over at the slightest breeze.
Both Linux and Hurd are libre software. However, the freedom of linux is compromised as torvalds set the standard for how OEMs can circumvent the GPLv2.
"viable competitor" is not the correct term to use. It miscontrues decades of history and circumstance.
Hurd is far better than Linux in terms of ensuring your freedom. But linux is better for getting more folks onto the freedom ladder. Linux however, isn't the end goal: GNU is. If you don't know what that means, congrats, you're part of the problem.
GNU has their own kernel, called linux-libre, which follows the same set of principles as Hurd. It won't function 100% on modern OEM hardware but its important as message towards freedom.
I use a blobbed kernel one if my machines, but I also have a librebooted debian thinkpad. I am intensely interested in a fully free OS, this is why i seem stubborn to those who don't even keep what Im saying in mind.
My x220 uses intel microcode, that is nonfree software. However, I was convinced by the founder of libreboot's (Leah Rowe) extensive writing to make it so. Im not completely stubborn, but Im also not careless.
If you don't know what that means, congrats, you're part of the problem
Ok you sold me, I'll go back to windows. Fine job building a community.
No one is here to coddle your feelings. Enjoy being a loser bootlicker, you never cared in the first place and want to project that onto others.
I don't want to admit using Linux because I'm worried people might confise me with annoying self righteous ideologue twats like you. Same reason I don't identify as atheist anymore.
Idk what you think you're doing, but you're not helping your cause. That much is for sure.
Im sorry you're insecure. I scream GNU because I'm not embarassed about having an opinion.
My "cause" doesn't include kissing your ass when you feel uncomfortable.
Your "cause" is getting on your high horse and spewing rhetoric for countless paragraphs. Linux is nothing more than a vehicle for you to do that. If it didn't exist, you'd find something else to fartsniff about. Fuck off.
What are AT-harddisks? Google is not helpful.
Aka PATA or IDE hard disks. Basically consumer grade kit.
The statement that the kernel would only ever handle IDE was basically a confession that this would never be a product suitable for enterprise or professional use where SCSI was the typical interface.
IDK about anyone else, but I first heard this story in the form of a song, and I still enjoy listening to it.