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submitted 3 weeks ago by DonutsRMeh@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

It's kind of ironic to me that Linux is all for free and open source, but still uses a proprietary platform, and a horrible one at that. Before the fediverse, I'd understand, but now, there is no excuse whatsoever.

I understand that we can't just get up and leave everything proprietary behind all at once, since we have iPhones and Android phones. We all use proprietary software of some form, but I am of the mindset of using the least amount of proprietary possible.

I will ALWAYS look for FOSS first. I also want to make it as hard as possible for any corporation to track me. They'll probably still be able to track me, but I'm not going without a fight.

I could say the same about the Linux kernel using GitHub, but I understand how massive of an undertaking it would be to move the whole kernel to another platform. I'm sure there are other factors, too. Anyway, I just wanted to start a discussion and hear people's thoughts.
Thank you

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[-] dragospirvu75@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

Reddit has a big community. It's about networking effect. That's why so hard to leave big platforms, because you can migrate to FOSS alternatives, but maybe most of things/people you follow don't have accounts there.

[-] darkan15@lemmy.world 75 points 3 weeks ago
  • Not everyone that uses Linux is against proprietary software or only uses FOSS.
  • There are people that just heard of Linux, are just trying it out, or have an issue, and already use Reddit, or is what the search engine points them to go for help, or to ask questions.
  • Reddit has a lot more reach for the common people than any other platform at the moment, there are still people that prefer to ask on Reddit, than go to a specific forum or another platform to ask (If I remember right, it still happens with some apps like Jellyfin that moved out of Reddit, but people still ask there)

These are just a few of the reasons that come to my mind.

[-] InternetCitizen2@lemmy.world 28 points 3 weeks ago

Also institutional inertia is difficult to overcome in general.

[-] flicker@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 3 weeks ago

This is so weird to me. Maybe it's about who you are, or who you run with, but when I saw that Discord was about to go that way, I messaged my Pathfinder group and every single person there immediately hit me back with, "so where to next?"

[-] Takumidesh@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

That's what, five people?

It's a lot different when it's thousands and thousands

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[-] olafurp@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

As an example I'm on Linux for a decade now but I also use proprietary services. I use Jellyfin and Netflix, Vim and Jetbrains IDEs, Chess.com instead of Lichess, WhatsApp instead of Matrix.

Sometimes the value proposition does it for me, sometimes it's the network effect. I've ditched reddit because I like Lemmy more but I can see how someone wants to stay in touch with their niche communities that don't really exist on Lemmy. Probably some people use both.

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[-] Chewy7324@discuss.tchncs.de 53 points 3 weeks ago

There's two reasons why r/linux is popular on Reddit:

  1. Reddit is popular
  2. r/linux is popular
[-] OsrsNeedsF2P@lemmy.ml 51 points 3 weeks ago

Some of us did leave, that's why you see us here

[-] digdilem@lemmy.ml 46 points 3 weeks ago

You're talking as if "The linux community" was one single bunch of people.

Reddit isn't Linux HQ and nor is Lemmy, nor is Facebook. #linux still active on IRC too, but not there either.

[-] DonutsRMeh@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

100%. I'm relatively new to Linux and to the western world as a whole. 😅

[-] blinx615@lemmy.ml 44 points 3 weeks ago

Even if they did... Reddit would just find new mods and reopen it. They wouldn't let it remain abandoned.

[-] DonutsRMeh@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

This kind of answers my question. lol. I didn't think about it that way. I thought they can just bring it all here and that one gets ~~closer~~ closed or something. I forgot how reddit works.

[-] wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 3 weeks ago

It's how they kept everything from dying when they killed third party apps. They openly banned and replaced mods that were keeping their subreddits locked. It was a shitshow, but unfortunately reddit still exists.

[-] mintiefresh@lemmy.ca 34 points 3 weeks ago

It would definitely be nicer to see the Linux community grow here.

But hey. I'm on Linux and I'm here with y'all. :)

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[-] catloaf@lemm.ee 27 points 3 weeks ago

How should we know? Ask them, not us.

[-] Zachariah@lemmy.world 18 points 3 weeks ago

But Lemmy users are obviously smarter, so it’s better to ask them.

[-] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 17 points 3 weeks ago

Bet the Facebook Linux community is bigger than ours.

[-] PragmaticOne@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

It is actually.

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[-] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 16 points 3 weeks ago

Because this here is for support. That there is for evangelism.

[-] ItsaDippedQuill@lemmy.world 15 points 3 weeks ago

As someone who needed to use the jellyfin discord for assistance setting it up, moving from a larger, community readable platform to a platform that is non searchable externally, and more importantly. If someone wants to learn how to linux. Making them learn how to Lemmy ADDITIONALLY is gonna HURT. this is ofc ignoring the reality of the fact that communities can exist in multiple places, and assuming they'd just go read only or smth like that. Jellyfin support was ONLY able to be provided because they're matrix interconnects with discord, a software i can use! (I've since made a element account while watching media on my jellyfin server XD)

[-] phantomwise@lemmy.ml 4 points 3 weeks ago

You mean Lemmy threads aren't indexed by search engines ? So if we move everything to lemmy there goes the only way to find good info online which is adding "reddit" to the search bar ?

[-] ItsaDippedQuill@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

That is incorrect on my part, I've since learned that lemmy IS searchable, but because of much lower density just doesn't show up hence the initial poster I referred tos confusion. Search link for reference

It's a link to a Google search!

[-] cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de 12 points 3 weeks ago

It could be worse. At least they didn't move to discord or facebook.

[-] Suoko@feddit.it 3 points 3 weeks ago

Discord is ok, it hosts many open source projects and can be bridged to matrix https://gitdab.com/cadence/out-of-your-element

[-] cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 3 weeks ago

You can't find anything on discord with a web search. You can't even open it without logging in. Once you're logged in, good luck finding an answer to a problem that was posted a year or two ago. That's much worse than reddit.

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[-] utopiah@lemmy.ml 11 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Look at corporate members at https://www.linuxfoundation.org/about/members

There is a difference between Linux, the kernel, as a tool and free software the ideology. A lot of contributors to Linux are there for the money. They contribute resources, including money but also usually staff, without caring for abstract concepts like "freedom", or they might even actively (arguably) work against it when they are strategically establishing walled gardens and exclusive stores.

So... I'm not saying that's OK but I believe by confusing the ideology with the tool used for profit by gigantic corporations we are being unrealistic.

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[-] half@lemy.lol 10 points 3 weeks ago

I think it's a uniquely good topic to have in both places. I first learned about Linux on reddit in Chrome on a Windows machine. It really helped lower my barrier to entry to chat with people on a platform that was accessible to my skill level at that time. But now I'm really glad there are nice foss places to talk about it as well.

[-] joytoy@feddit.nl 10 points 3 weeks ago

Think of it as an advertisement or a road sign. You want your message to reach as many people as possible.

Normies don’t usually find their way to Linux on their own. Hell, most don’t even know a third and fourth option (BSD) exists. By being on as many platforms as possible, more will find their way.

For what it’s worth, GitHub is NOT the place where kernel development takes place, that is just a mirror. Have a look here to see where development happens.

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[-] monovergent@lemmy.ml 10 points 3 weeks ago

Many of them are single-issue Linux users and don't concern themselves with FOSS philosophy

[-] gitgud@lemmy.ml 9 points 3 weeks ago

Better to live in utopia and have ambassadors to shitholes to liberate others than just live in utopia alone.

[-] Mwa@lemm.ee 8 points 3 weeks ago

because Sadly Reddit is bigger then Lemmy and hopefully Lemmy will grow more.

[-] TrivialBetaState@sopuli.xyz 8 points 3 weeks ago

I am with you 100% on the reddit aspect but have to acknowledge that any person can make their own choices. Eventually, a platform with much longer history will continue being successful, if only due to inertia alone. However, one more big mistake from reddit may be enough for the FOSS subs to migrate to this platform. As for the Linux kernel, are you sure it is hosted on github? Or is it only a backup?

[-] Euphoma@lemmy.ml 11 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

It's hosted on kernel.org and the one on github is a mirror. Github didnt exist when the kernel was made initially. Or git

[-] bhamlin@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

It helps keep the more caustic linuxers away from lemmy.

[-] BeigeAgenda@lemmy.ca 10 points 3 weeks ago

Correct we only want the sour linuxers here.

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[-] Gloria@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago

The call is coming from inside the house

[-] _____@lemm.ee 6 points 3 weeks ago

Reddit Linux are just a bunch of gaming chuds. and I say that as a gamer.

They'll take time to understand the landscape and there's nothing wrong with that, yes reddit is dogshit but you won't convince anyone by just telling them. They just have to look around for themselves.

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Subreddits can't move, they won't be subreddits then. There are other Linux forums outside Reddit -- like this one!

[-] ocean@lemmy.selfhostcat.com 5 points 3 weeks ago

Because Lemmy is quite silent relatively. It’s a hard sell outside of those who enjoy selfhosting.

[-] el_puercoespin@lemm.ee 5 points 3 weeks ago

Why should it leave? It's good to be omnipresent! You have another linux community here and in many other places.

[-] DrunkAnRoot@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago

side note but you dont need to use proprietary android phones you can flash custom roms to most like GrapheneOS LiniageOS or CalyxOS or you can find a linux phone os like ubuntu touch

[-] Quackdoc@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago
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[-] tabular@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

If no one discussed the value of software freedom on proprietary platforms then (hopefully) we'd be preaching to the choir here.

Linux has proprietary binary blobs in it. If any part of a software is proprietary then even if most of it is free why wouldn't people call "Linux" proprietary? Libre Linux removes those blobs.

[-] Drito@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago

Reddit is unified, Lemmy has a small layer of complexity on top and "sh.itjust.works" is a weird name, maybe the Lemmy system drives to such complicated names. Its not a big deal but I add that to the other causes.

[-] Evotech@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

Linux people are afraid of a little added layer of complexity? Please

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this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2025
357 points (100.0% liked)

Linux

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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.

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