this post was submitted on 22 Aug 2024
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Linux

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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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[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Not true. A lot of commonly known closed source companies contribute to open source software, including Linux and BSD

[–] [email protected] -4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

And not every team is allowed to do that.
Also, youre telling somebody who has worked with big companies not allowing it in their employer contract that he is lying? Riiiight...
A lot of google devs also are not allowed to do any linux work outside of work without explicit permissions because of all the internal docs, teams and other work being done on linux from within google. Development rights is an absolute mess, legally.
I usually dont care and do what is right, despite what my emploter contract says, but i have gotten in trouble for it

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

They can forbid you to work on opensource stuff while being in free time? I mean, I understand that you are not allowed to generate open code that utilises private know how of the company you work for. But not working on Linux in free time seems very strange to me 😮

Edit: deleted wrong “Edit:”

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Yeah if you write proprietary code and then work on a similar project in your spare time, your company might sue you because you're likely reusing code you've seen or written at work.

For example Windows developers are forbidden from working on ReactOS

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

Thats just dual booting. That wont work with the law if the contract says anything created using company hardware is theirs.
And yes, some companies need to give you a green light to work on projects in your free time, because they might have a team doing similar things somewhere, it might compete in something they would like to do in the future or like you said, might use company know how which is a huge nono. Its bs imo, but those clauses and rules are found in some employment agreements.
Remember, always read your employment agreements!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

😂 edited the wrong post, lol

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

I'm not saying you're lying, but you said

do not allow software developers to send a patch or PR to open source projects.

But this sentence in particular was misleading. Maybe you specifically did not have the right to do so, but in the Linux and BSD codebases there are a lot of @microsoft @netflix @oracle contributions, so at least there is someone in those companies authorized to do so

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

Fair, and ill edit my post accordingly!

There are teams that are allowed, and within those companies are teams that are directly related to foss projects because those companies are in the foundation or supports of the foundation. However, thats doesnt mean every (product) team in the company is allowed to or that they can do or change whatever they like. Its a complex mess

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Thank you for have brought us your experience!