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this post was submitted on 12 Sep 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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Multimedia codecs have a different license agreement than the OS so they aren't bundled by default for a reason
I don't care about the licenses. If I click on my media and it refuses to play because some codec is omitted by default, am annoyed nonetheless.
Most distros have a checkbox during the installer that will add non-free components. It's a separate EULA you need to agree to so they can't do it for you.
You may not care, but the distro provider's legal team absolutely cares about not getting sued for automatically bundling components with an incompatible license agreement
The non-free components I've seen on installers are usually for Nvidia's proprietary drivers. Not codecs.
Sounds like legal panic if you ask me. There's been no precedent for litigation on use of licensed codecs which most have been using either way prior in their builds and packages.
MPEG LA is (now Via Licensing Alliance) has been active in collecting fees and defending patents. There is no reason to assume they won't go after distros, particularly those who can pay given that they are willing to take on anyone else. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG_LA
They have never gone after said distros all those ^many^ ^many^ years they have bundled licensed codecs in their ISOs. What changed?
Because those distros have (as we are talking about) distanced themselves from the patent encumbered codecs? When Google tried to get behind VP8, MPEG LA was right there to try and stop them by trying to get them into the pool.
Edit: I should have said many didn't Fedora opted out of compiling mesa with hardware accell, and it seems others did too recently. But that means it was there the whole time. I guess most distros, that have any money, are going to want shelter from lawsuits.
More annoyed when the distro doesn't even bother to document how to properly install the "missing" codecs.
Don't mistake this as condescension, but doesn't VLC solve all of that?
Nope. VLC uses system libraries, unless you install through something that ships its own dependencies like flatpak.
I've heard it's great for opening any file. Is it good with a bunch of file formats as opposed to media codecs?
VLC is good everywhere even though it cannot compare to MPV in number of features available. It will work for most people just fine.
It's crazy that Linux distros think that installing codecs is a reasonable expectation for users. Especially users new to Linux.
Oh yeah! That downgrade option sounds cool. The only time I kinda regretted being on Manjaro. VirtualBox 7 still doesn't have functional graphics. I tried
downgrade, but that didn't work. Maybe I should have tried deleting the VirtualBox config 🤔Not sure why KDE/GSconnect would need to be preinstalled tbh. But I agree with the others
Quality of life improvement. Plus it's normal for operating systems to have some kind of smartphone/smart device integration now.
And I don't approve of this transition. It's unnecessary bloat. Just install it if you want it.
Only a Gentoo user can make that claim. Hope you are one.
That's not true lol
I am an arch user though
Guess what if you installed a DE, other than the tiling ones, it came with bloat.
You probably also use systemd, another infamous piece of bloatware. /s
Gentoo has less bloat than Arch if really want to get into nitpicking.
I use systemd, but I do not use a DE.
Just because they contain bloat, doesn't mean they should, and that more should be added.
because kde connect is so well made and everyone with a smartphone should use it
I don't really want my smartphone notifs on my PC. It should be an optional addition, like it currently is.
I actually turned off the notification sync, I only use it for file transfers and the remote control features
I have syncthing for file transfers, and I love it