this post was submitted on 22 Dec 2023
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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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With support ending for Windows 10, the most popular desktop operating system in the world currently, possibly 240 million pcs may be sent to the landfill. This is mostly due to Windows 11’s exorbitant requirements. This will most likely result in many pcs being immediately outdated, and prone to viruses. GNU/Linux may be these computers’ only secure hope, what do you think?

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[–] Mountaineer@aussie.zone 11 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Windows XP is basically firmware at this point, and has been for over a decade.

Lots of proprietary hardware that works perfectly, will not work on newer versions of Windows due to lack of drivers.

I see it constantly in factory situations with scales, scanners and robot controllers, it would only be worse for million dollar x-ray machines.

[–] EuroNutellaMan@lemmy.world 13 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

This. A lot of our lab's instruments are proprietary garbage. I wish the people buy these extremely expensive instruments would actually research if there's open source alternatives or help pressure the government's into forcing the code to be open. A lot of (public) spending for research is due to this sort of bs "instruments which only works with its own proprietary software" btw. The other good portion is eaten up by scumbags like Elsevier and other publishers.

As long as that machine is disconnected from the internet it's OK but as soon as you connect it you are cooked.

[–] Thwompthwomp@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

It’s been getting absolutely worse and worse with hardware as they shovel crap at you and then also expect you to buy subscriptions to make it usable. Keysight/agilent/ whoever they are had been really annoying about this.