Linux

63547 readers

221 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

AgreeableLandscape@lemmy.ml

nooter692@lemmy.ml

MarcellusDrum@lemmy.ml

cypherpunks@lemmy.ml

cyclohexane@lemmy.ml

d3Xt3r@lemmy.nz

"Tivoization" & Your Right to Install Under Copyleft & GPL (2021) (sfconservancy.org)

submitted 7 months ago by TMP_NKcYUEoM7kXg4qYe@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

0 comments fedilink hide all child comments

This article has been recently posted on Hackernews. It clarifies the misconceptions about GPLv2 and GPLv3 regarding the installation of user-modified software on devices running copylefted firmware.

TLDR: If you purchase a device running GPLv2 software (eg. Linux), you have the right to run modified version of the software on said device. The GPLv3 additionally requires that proprietary software running on said device does not intentionally break itself when you change the GPLv3 software.

GPL violators try to argue that they may prevent users from installing modified version of GPLv2 software, thinking that only the GPLv3 protects against that, but that is not the case. The 3rd version adds clauses regarding proprietary software shipped alongside the GPL software. But the Free Software is already protected by the 2nd version!

no comments (yet)

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

there doesn't seem to be anything here