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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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What if I paid for all my free software? (www.cynicusrex.com)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I've always felt guilty by taking for granted the rare breed of virtuous humans that provide free excellent software without relying on advertising. Let's change that and pay, how much would I “lose” anyway?

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[–] [email protected] 31 points 9 months ago (2 children)

telegram mega vivaldi spotify

A whole lot of words follow but if fucking Spotify is on your list of free software, all that indicates to me is that you've put a whole lot of work into failing to understand the concept of free software.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

User @QuazarOmega already pointed this out, it depends on the definition of free, of which I'm positive the majority of my list complies with. Moreover, I did apologise for including Spotify, and offer alternatives:
“Despite their free version forcing ads, the paid version is too convenient, sorry. However, their UXD has become more annoying so I'm not sure how long I'll stick… If cross platform functionality isn't a big deal for you then consider Tidal which pays artists significantly more [5], or BeatSense for simple YouTube playlists and listening together.”

If there are better alternatives—to anything really—please share them instead.

Regarding Vivaldi: Why isn’t Vivaldi browser open-source?
Lastly, about Mega and Telegram, I added “breaks rule 3” to their listing. Mega is just remarkably convenient too, and unless the populace suddenly turns geek and they find out about the Matrix protocol, I'd prefer they use Telegram en masse instead of WhatsApp.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I don't really give a damn about why the developers of Vivaldi (and the others) chose not release it as free software. They made that choice long ago and have stuck with it. That's fine. It means I have no interest in their product, but to me it also means that discussion about it is out of place in an article with "free software" literally in the title in a forum called "linux" where the FSF definition of freedom should prevail.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

A whole lot of words follow but if fucking Spotify is on your list of free software, all that indicates to me is that you’ve put a whole lot of work into failing to understand the concept of free software.

That's a bit harsh. I would agree with you that they seem to be pretty ignorant of the finer points of free software, like the difference between free-as-in-beer software, free-as-in-freedom software, and so-called "open source" software. But to be fair, the article was more about economics than about software, and I mostly agreed with a number of their arguments.