this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2025
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 bought a Dell Inspiron circa 2014 intending to run Windows on it. I was dabbling in Linux playing with Raspberry Pis, but didn't really have designs to run Linux on my main computers. I found Windows 8.1 so unlivable that I tried out Linux Mint.
That laptop just kept dying.
I went around and around with Dell support for a semester about that damn laptop. I was going back to school, I bought a laptop for school, I didn't get that fucking laptop. I did an entire semester of coursework with a Kindle Fire and two Raspberry Pis (a 1B and a 2). They finally replaced the damn thing with a different model, that was missing a lot of features I had ordered. Dell is at the top of my goddamn blacklist.
Anyway, the first x86 machine I ran Linux on, Linux compatibility wasn't a factor, and then I really didn't get a choice anyway because I didn't get the machine I ordered. But I've had dental surgeries that I enjoyed more than Windows 8.1.
In the early days, Linux Mint needed a kernel update to support the trackpad. I'm still not convinced the dedicated GPU ever worked. I had an external docking station that was very meh. It did the job though, I actually still have it in service. It won't run Windows 11 I don't think but modern Linux runs just fine.
I've since built two desktops with Linux compatibility in mind which have worked very well, and a little Lenovo thing to use as a shop tablet which...could be a lot better.