this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2025

324 points (92.6% liked)

Linux

54341 readers

240 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

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

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

founded 6 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

324

Why doesn't the Linux subreddit leave Reddit already? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

93 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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

(page 2) 45 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 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

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks 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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

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?

load more comments (1 replies)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

Additionally, Lemmy would be a hostile place if you happened to be a conservative-leaning Linux user. I know quite a few, but they aren't on Reddit either.

load more comments (2 replies)

load more comments (1 replies)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago

Linux is mailing lists, if anything. It’s definitely not Reddit.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week 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.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 4 weeks ago

Linux is a great platform for developing things like bots in.

Reddit is 90% bots.

Makes sense to me. 🤣

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

Shitpost your heart out and maybe people will stay when they visit to observe the train wreck that is your life.

[–] [email protected] -4 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

Because it's fine the way it is. They can ask newbie questions over there, while we try to have more interesting discussions over here. /s

load more comments (2 replies)

[+] [email protected] -7 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

because lemmy is bad

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

How so?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

A few things,

I often find the federation to just drop posts or comments,
sometimes a post has been banned and doesn't even report being banned on other servers,
federation itself can be rather slow in many cases, and specific servers are even slower, you replied to this 10hrs ago according to lemmy, but I only got a notification 5 minutes ago despite using it off and on throughout the day.
you can have the exact same community name but on a multitude of different servers which can become complicated.
there is no button I can click to open the post on my server, which means if someone sends me a link and I want to engage with it, it's a massive hassle to do so.

there are other issues I have but these are the ones off the top of my head. It's simply a far inferior experience to reddit.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Understandable. I personally don't really care that much to make a list about the flaws of a social media site (no judgement of course). I just coast along for a little bit and go back to reading my books.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 weeks ago

very fair. I just came across this since I have accounts on multiple servers since its nifty to have some separation between things from public stuff and non public.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 weeks ago

Long live piefed

load more comments