this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2025
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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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Yes for sure. I just meant software compatibility, but I assume I made that up from the back of my head. I only had one Docker issue, thats it.
No idea what is so hard about it, things like these just show how small this project is! It is literally an Ubuntu LTS downstream, nothing crazy. But 2/3 beginners use it, which is kinda insane.
Agreed. Though as said, a good software management concept with atomic updates and rollbacks, as well as tested software (and a damn longterm kernel, Fedora) doesnt need people wondering if they should update.
Unless you are a power-poweruser, not updating is a baseless gut decision. With a good system you dont need to do that.
Because Windows updates take long and cause downtime. Also forcing reboots is not great (though I dont know if they just do that if there was a real vulnerability, that would be fine)
Windows updates are pretty damn fine. Overengineered, maybe? But the system is not immutable, so they do checksums everywhere, to validate the OS.
OSTree or NixOS do it better, but have way bigger downsides. Maybe not compared to Windows, they should just fix their stuff.
But I guess Windows updates are more stable than typical Linux updates, more tests etc.
That is fine, but only makes sense with package-based distros that have some kind of parallel miniature system running the updates.
Basically what Windows does, and Fedora now too.
Atomic updates are WAY better. No downtime and still more stable than running a very small live OS replacing itself. Maybe the live OS is in RAM, idk.
and also the fear that whatever will break. I often hear that people are afraid of temporarily broken drivers, but also windows updates often reset (unknown!) settings, things like audio device IDs that matter for pro audio software and systemwide audio effects (think device specific EQ and filters).
but on linux the system updates your software too, which is then again, if you are doing something professionally on the system, you are almost guaranteed from time to time to come across bugs that are in the way
It's weird because it's true even though the filesystem and updates are much better organised on Linux. I mean the weird part being that windows is that stable even with the chaos it does in its system files.
Which is an effect of trying to manage a chaotic system. NixOS solves this by having strict checks but giving users the ability to configure their system.
The system is very mutable but centrally controlled.
Windows has an idea how it wants to look like, but at the same time grants software all sorts of crazy permissions. Adobe software doesnt run when "storage protection mode against ransomware" is enabled for example.
The Windows store apps are better isolated, with permissions etc. But same as on Linux with Flatpak, Software vendors dont want to change their software to be less invasive.
I mean Windows pretty much thrives off the fact that you rely on random 3rd party software like drivers to be able to be installable externally and run with very high privileges. So they dont need to do the work.
Microsoft is 1000 times the size if RedHat, Canonical or SUSE, if not more. They just throw lots of money at it.
Also it is mission critical, so you can kinda expect vendors to test their software better, a bit.
Not always (crowdstrike lol)