a day ago
- The author, a BSD and illumos enthusiast, acknowledges their lasting appreciation for GNU/Linux, which introduced them to Unix systems in 1996 and provided a sense of freedom through commands and pipes.
- Linux has become ubiquitous, powering desktops, smartphones (Android), cars, and countless devices, achieving widespread success despite initial compatibility challenges and the ongoing 'Year of the Linux Desktop' debate.
- Corporate involvement in Linux has been beneficial for mass adoption and Open Source acceptance, but the author criticizes trends like unnecessary disruption, systemd's deviation from Unix principles, and 'vibe coding,' which prioritize change over stability and minimalism.
- The author argues that Linux development now often sacrifices stability and cross-compatibility, influenced by disposable electronics culture and corporate pressures, while the GPL can enable dominant players to steer the project, contrasting with BSD licenses that ensure community control.
- Despite criticisms, the author still loves Linux for its role as a pioneering Open-Source project, its vast distribution ecosystem (e.g., Alpine Linux, openSUSE), improved hardware support, and its 30-year impact on their career, education, and personal freedom.