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this post was submitted on 28 Feb 2026
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Linux is a kernel for OS. See, I told you what Linux is. I did it!
The funny part of the original scene is that that is exactly what Morpheus himself does when Neo is outside the Matrixβtells him what the Matrix is.
This is one of a few different examples (in that film and the others) that give credence to reading Morpheus as less trustworthy than he is styled. He should maybe be doubted more often.
Yeah, but clearly this is a difference between knowledge and understanding.
Maybe Morpheus meant that no one can explain it and also be believed. π
I know it is an obvious term for you techbros, but kernel means nothing to your average person though. I would doubt most of them would even know what an OS is (especially abbreviated like that).
Explanation for dummies: Linux is a launcher of computer programs.
So it's like the start menu? (j/k)
Naah!
It's what starts the start menu.
So it's an init system?
It's what the init system goes to, to do the real work.
Thanks for the lol of today.
An OS is basically a broker of hardware resources for applications. And usually ships with some of its own applications. Thatβs a pretty fair explanation?
what is a broker?
Someone who (somehow) has less money than me
brokerΒ /brΕβ²kΙr/
noun
Best explanation of what KERNEL is, it's like car engine and all electronics around it. It's all hidden under the hood, but makes the whole thing run.
Cars have been around for long enough that even non techy people understand at least the crudest basics and this helps them understand computer things when used as analogy.
So linux is the CPU?
As someone who's worked on other people's cars, you're giving people way too much credit for knowing stuff about cars...
I have encountered people that didn't know what engine oil was even for or why it had to be changed out periodically.
They don't need to. But they know what an engine is, don't they? Even if they know nothing else about it? It's the part of the car that goes vroom and makes everything else possible.
I'm reminded of this book I had as a kid. It explained so many things so easily. It explained how an ICE works by using analogous items you'd already know as a kid for every part of the engine. For example, for the fuel injector it showed a perfume spray bottle. It was brilliant, and why it was never required reading in school is a mystery and tragedy.
Yeah, but... but... like, but... if you just explain it, you'll put people off. You've got to get them to install it first so that they get hooked.
Now eat this random pill I found
no.. you misu.. I have not just found it, of course! I am bringing it from the most delicate source of pills!
It's not only for operating systems, though.
What else? I can hardly imagine using Linux for something except OS.
Maybe they mean embedded systems where full OS isn't required. Just the kernel and busybox.