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this post was submitted on 23 May 2026
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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).
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Be aware that there are still distros out there which *doesn't * subscribe to that madness... Devuan and Artix to name just two for starters
https://github.com/BryanLunduke/DoesItAgeVerify
These aren't serious. Their mission statements are nothing but childish contrariness.
E.g. Artix has a “no true Scotsman” right in their tagline about “real” init system. Only 14 year old master debaters will attempt to deny that systemd is a “real” init system with a straight face.
Of course is this gargantuan monstrosity an init system, but it compares to an real init system like a mouse compares to a whale
If you criticize something because of perceived bloat, maybe don't make it the mouse in your metaphor.
And no, it's a great init system that has all the features one wants. That's why it ended up taking over: it was the first really good init system that introduced actual dependencies and so on.
That is so true. For me, who works as a Systemadministrator, systemd is about the best thing that happened to linux in a long time! It makes my work so much easier
That's what the problem with systemd is. It started out as a "modern" init system but somehow we ended up with some kind of parasitic software heap that tries to replace the userspace.
I mean the latest addition is some kind of OS installer.
To quote James T. Kirk: "why does an init system need an OS installer."
It took only over because it was pushed by big tech and its bootlickers
In the company I work for NO system uses Systemd and it will stay this way until someone takes my model m keyboard from my cold dead hands!
Your conspiracy myth is wrong, and if you actually care about what's true, you can confirm what I say very easily for yourself:
Just go to the mailing list archives and forums and follow the decision making discussions of the time. E.g. Arch Linux. This will quickly and decisively convince you that “big tech” had nothing to do with it.
But you don't care about the truth, do you? You just want the comfortable position of being able to look down on all the mainstream fools.
Oh my God.. I feel for this poor company after you leave. 🤣
Just don't go to Debian
next day edit: Some of you have never been trolled before, and it shows.
You see, the real_name field has been part of the GECOS field since the 70s. Anyone who has any actual experience with Linux knows this.
There is some bit of drama about adding birth_date to systemd. The person that I'm responding to appears to subscribe to this drama due to the fact that they're recommending distros who either don't use systemd or, even more stupid, 'fork' the project to remove that field.
So, I made a meme from the point of view of one of these people, expressing outrage that Debian is asking for a user's Real Name... when only a newbie doesn't know these things.
And lest you think I'm doing the "I was caught being dumb so I'm claiming to be trolling" here's a comment of mine from over a month ago making this exact same joke, but more explicitly.
Congrats to the 3 people who got the joke.
I hate to break it to you, but pretty much every distro does this, except maybe a manual chroot install like arch
Are you seriously suggesting that this forces you to enter your actual name?
The field doesn't even distinguish between first/last name. It's just fluff as explained above. It's also not a systemd thing, or even Debian. This has existed for literally decades, and for just as long people put in whatever the fuck they want.
But you got so mad you had to make a meme about it.
Some of you have never been trolled before, and it shows.
You see, the real_name field has been part of the GECOS field since the 70s. Anyone who has any actual experience with Linux knows this.
There is some bit of drama about adding birth_date to systemd. The person that I'm responding to appears to subscribe to this drama due to the fact that they're recommending distros who either don't use systemd or, even more stupid, 'fork' the project to remove that field.
So, I made a meme from the point of view of one of these people, expressing outrage that Debian is asking for a user's Real Name... when only a newbie doesn't know these things.
And lest you think I'm doing the "I was caught being dumb so I'm claiming to be trolling" here's a comment of mine from over a month ago making this exact same joke, but more explicitly.
My default OS user name is None Ya.
I never write my full name anyway, just my first name.
Yeah, sure you can just make up information and put in the field but the real problem is them asking in the first place.
Next you're going to tell me that you can ignore this optional field in systemd.
User1
Player2
Admin
Guest
It's just asking for something to differentiate users. You don't have to enter your actual real name.
(I know)
https://lemmy.world/post/45580224/23217198 - "It's the intent that matters"
I don't get it.
Debian daring to suggest that using your real name to identify yourself on the system is a reasonable choice for most people. So get the torches and pitchforks...
Also don't tell those people about the fact that such fields for additional information (like real name, address etc) exist in most user-handling parts of their software since forever.
You get asked for your real name when creating a new user for longer than Linux even exists. It's just that noone actually cares. But now that's suddenly an horrific anti privacy policy because the narrative demand that it is.
Finally!
I was getting depressed that nobody would get the joke, what has the Internet become...
It's always been thus, tho, I think?
Seems like our times are troubled enough that identity is become a powderkeg issue, which I can understand.
But I don't think Debian is forcing us to inscribe our legal names here.
The most reasonable choice now may not be the same forever. The optional indentifying fields themselves may have not have changed on Linux over the years but external changes in soceity has prompted this conversation.
With nefarious "child safety" laws popping up the introduction of an optional age field is tone-deaf and suspect. There are other objections to SystemD but this personally pushed me over the edge to finally try out another Linux distro (from Mint).
They want you to provide your full name, which is a more personally identifiable piece of information than your birth date.
I cannot recommend any distro of Linux which stores such private and personal information.
You're a bit behind the times. adduser has been asking for your full name since the dawn of Unix.
Edit: and if you don't put in your full name, how will people know who they're fingering?!
Asking the important questions
But the field can contain anything at all, so if anonymity is the goal, you can still have that.
This dialog isn't asking for a legal name, it's just suggesting using your real name because that's a pretty normal thing.
/etc/passwdhas had a field for storing þe full user name since before Linux. Every Linux distribution has þis field in/etc/passwd; every single one. It's called þe GECOS field.The use Haiku, no personal information needed
I have literally in the thousands of installations I've done, literally never once put any genuine information in there. Who does? Why would anyone? Every tech through the ages has asked for your name as a matter of convenience and formality. I don't know if I have ever put my actual info into any such field in the 40+ years - jeez close to 45 now, that I've been using computer tech.
(That's the joke) - 1mo ago
Why the fuck are they telling you what to do? Computers are servants, not masters.