this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2024
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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).

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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this is a topic i've been heavily involved with because i still consider myself to be someone who prefers using technology at a very beginner friendly level, plus it's very good when a linux operating system makes you feel right at home when it has a modern desktop environment. this is why i really like gnome, its simplicity and usability is something available for everyone, for beginners and for a lot of other people, but if you had to, say, rearrange xfce or kde for someone who was an elderly person or an absolute beginner so that they wouldn't have any trouble using linux, how would you do it? (screenshot is my current linux mint desktop, very simple and extremely user friendly!!!!)

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I don't agree. It's just because you're used to drive letters.

I think Linux filesystem is better organised. Everything is (almost) well organised in the right folder.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago (3 children)

It might be nicely organized but coming from windows the abbreviations can be downright confusing. For example:

  • /bin; recycle bin?
  • /etc; other files (etcetera)?
  • /home; okay, this is where I can find my own files
  • /media; music and pictures? USB drives and CD's?
  • /mnt; no idea but also USBs apparently?
  • /root; wait system admin has his own files?
  • /sbin; super recycle bin?
  • /usr; wait, also where I can find my own files?

Sure, this might be hyperbole and Windows has its own problems, the two different program files folders coming to mind first. But when you come from an OS where system folders are words instead of abbreviations Linux can be really confusing, especially if you are not that tech-savy.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 18 hours ago

I agree with you and the confusion which may arise with linux file system's nomenclature if one isn't used to it. However how many non tech-savy people would venture outside of /home? In my experience, a lot of people I know have no idea of what C: is and usually browse trough the usual documents, music, downloads and so on; in this case a user's home folder would virtually give them the same experience. If someone wants to go a little bit deeper, at one point has to understand that we are talking about different OSes and cannot expect everything to be 100% the same and should start learning what those differences are.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

No, no, there's /home and stuff you need not worry about

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

....wait. You forgot /dev