this post was submitted on 19 Apr 2025
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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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I really wish that I was born early so I've could witness the early years of Linux. What was it like being there when a kernel was released that would power multiple OSes and, best of all, for free?

I want know about everything: software, hardware, games, early community, etc.

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[–] PanArab@lemm.ee 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The first time I ever used Linux was in high school around 2001-2002. I don’t remember what the distro was but it had drawing issues, clearly some kind of driver issue that I couldn’t figure out, on my PC so I switched back to Windows 98SE.

Not what op asked for, but it kept away from Linux at home until 2007. I started using Linux regularly in university around 2004.

[–] psion1369@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

I had the same issue with Red Hat 6.1 on a cheap PC. One of the reasons I love using Arch is it gives me the nostral of those days.