this post was submitted on 21 Jun 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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It just goes to show you. The only way to get the Linux desktop market share up is not building. Something better than Windows we have been there for a while. It's make hardware, put Linux on that hardware and sell it in a store. Avg people don't change operating systems. They change computers. Now if we could just get steam decks in retail stores. It would be a huge.
Exactly. Linux will never become the majority OS as long as it’s not the default OS on retail PCs.
This is a huge argument, even Linus Torvalds said that many years ago. The average person just wants to buy a computer and use it normally for work, casual stuff or gaming. They won't make the effort to change the operating system.
We can also get the Steam OS on different hardwares, just like the Lenovo Legion Go S
There is a non-insignificant amount of people who just throw away their computer when something gets messed up because they don't know how to reinstall windows. Not only do average people not know how to install an operating system, they don't even know how to learn. Many people have help, techie friends and family, but many don't, and they can sadly only be helped at scale.
Which country is that it sounds amazing
Ah that makes sense i know Brazil has laws to keep imports low. That's why Brazil kept the saga mega drive active for so long. So having Linux on machines makes sense. Since it's both an import and not an import at the same time.
Very interesting I learned something new thanks
It was tried a little bit in 2008 https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23565020
Microsoft/Google would shit all over any retailer that dared to do that today.
That said, Bestbuy did have an OS2/Warp on the floor decades ago.
I think SteamOS will have a solid chance.
We need a distro that has a 0% chance to brick on a graphics driver update. That can flawlessly do a major release update without breaking things and can run GOG, Steam, Epic.
Yep i honestly think that's why the steam deck is not available in retell in the US. MICROSOFT probably has a clause in place that would remove any license discounts from the big OEMs if their machines are stocked with Linux machines.
Soon Linux will be big enough that stores will offer a selection of operating systems. It might be possible already to ask for a custom built PC deal with a discount for no bringing your own OS or having them install it for you.