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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195

What was Linux like in the 90s (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 4 days ago by SpiceDealer@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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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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[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 49 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (4 children)

Clumsy. Manual. No multimedia support really. Compiling everything on 486 machines took hours.

Can't say I look back fondly on it.

BeOS community was fucking awesome though. That felt like the cutting edge at the time.

[–] wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 11 points 4 days ago

BeOS and NetBSD was were it was at for sure!!

[–] randomcruft@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

I’m sure most are aware of this but, just incase anyone passing through is not… Haiku OS

Works great in a VM… fun to play with, have not tried bare metal / daily driving it though.

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago

Yeah, I've tried it out. It's just years behind any Linux desktop right now though. The entire point of BeOS was to be a multimedia powerhouse, and it was. Everything else has surpassed it at this point though.

[–] sramder@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

I desperately wanted one of those first BeBoxes or whatever they were called. And one of those little SGI toasters… I even tried to compile SGI’s 3D file manager (demo) from Jurassic Park.

Herp derp… where can I download an OpenGL from… it keeps saying I can’t build it without one 🤤

[–] Tippon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 4 days ago

I can't remember much about it now, but I remember really wanting BeOS. I managed to get it installed once, but couldn't get the internet working, so ended up uninstalling it.