this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2023
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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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Linux and everything FOSS (and not only open source) IS political. It's a clear ethical choice and it impact everyone who use the software. The entire FOSS movement IS political
Nothing, really. I've been daily driving Linux for years, couldn't be happier. ;)
I still agree that Linux and FOSS in general is political, honestly. Not because I want to say "what isn't political?", but because a lot of things about Linux and FOSS stand for privacy, freedom, transparency, responsibility, accountability, voluntary effort that benefits others (it can benefit you as well, though), etc. - all of these things seem to me like a piece of political discussion at least to some degree.
The most important point about this, though, is the fact that being political does not necessarily mean that Linux or FOSS has to enforce some kind of opinion among its users or community or around its discussion. You're right in saying it's just a technology, but it doesn't mean that using Linux or FOSS isn't a political decision - even (or especially) if your sole reason to run Linux is money.
I used to get really pissed at people who considered everything to be political, but these days, I think I agree, because everything you like or don't like about your life (including the tech you use) is influenced by politics, so you do discuss it one way or the other in most conversations. Especially tech, though.
Agree. Being "political" really means having to do with how people consider things in the world (should) work, be it technological, cultural, economical, etc. It's not simply restricted to being associated to a political party/ideology.