this post was submitted on 07 Oct 2023
747 points (98.6% liked)

Linux

48209 readers
1612 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

Related Communities

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

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I'm not sure how accurate StatCounter is, given that most Linux users use adblockers. However, according to it, Linux has almost a 14% desktop share in India.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] danie10@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They know little about open source. Microsoft is exclusively in schools and government, and that is what they grow up with. They probably know more about pirating Windows, than using Linux legally. There is also a good kick-back in terms of MS license mark-ups for middle-men businesses. One would hope there is some mandatory education around different OSs as I'm sure kids would love to explore and modify software.

[–] onlinepersona@programming.dev 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It feels like those kinds of countries are perfect targets for linux and FLOSS.

[–] danie10@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Linux and FLOSS unfortunately don't have budgets, and rely on logic and common sense. Microsoft has a big lobbying budget, gets in to see senior politicians and decision-makers, and then sponsors training, digital villages, etc. Yes, it costs a country overall much more than Linux, but it is easier for schools/gov depts and middle-men make some actual money in their pockets. That's what Linux and FLOSS end up against. What would turn it around is having strong local businesses driving training and making tender bids to install and support Linux and FLOSS. A government or school wants to have it done for them. That's the reality, unfortunately.

[–] onlinepersona@programming.dev 2 points 1 year ago

The sad reality indeed.