this post was submitted on 15 May 2025
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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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Can someone clue me in to why Mint wouldn't be "libre"? What does "libre" mean in this context exactly?
https://www.gnu.org/distros/common-distros.html
Damn, that's a high bar to clear. Almost none of the distros I know pass their criteria
Even those distros are only possible if you arbitrarily decide the firmware is not software. If you want to be more honest about having free software all way down, you have to avoid AMD and Intel CPUs at the very least and most GPUs too. And, if you are not going to do that, why fuss about the BIOS?
Unless you are using a totally Free Software stack on on Open Source CPU with an Open Source ISA, it is just a question of where you draw the line between convenience and “principles”.
There are truly Open Source RISC-V CPUs. It could be done. That is not what those “libre” distros are doing.
Since none of us are using a 100% free stack, I think distros like Debian strike the right balance between “free” and “useful”.
Fr but ig it's rms philosophy :P
Preventing in any way to make work modern firmware for any modern devices which dynamically loading from ur disk ,and prevent installing closed source software too ,they blocked even electron framework need to work for software like freetube for example.
I'm not trying to be mean, but I didn't really understand much of that. Can you translate from your native language on DeepL or something?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux-libre
It's essentially a kernel with only open source code. OP would need to research all of the hardware in their machine to ensure that there are open source drivers. I think there are some laptop manufacturers that sell units which are compatible, if you're ordering from one of the major manufacturers then you'll likely have some hardware (like wifi) that requires proprietary binaries.
The hardest part is usually finding a machine that has open source drivers for every component. You may have to do some kernel compiling and other low level tasks to get your specific setup to work. OP says they're not a power user, but after this they will be