this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2026
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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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OS matters, linux is probably the most efficient. The distribution matters less. But it also depends on what you want to do. Use it as a desktop?
As others have said, disable services you don't need, close programs you aren't using.
Actually that does make me think, there might be distros that automatically clean up unused programs and turn down the frequency of the CPU when it's not in use. Haven't done a thorough search though.
Kernel already does.
????? So it would close my IRC client when I look away? Fuck that.
Depends on which governor you have active
Don't be daft. Look at what Android provides.
Default one.
That's also bad, but there's a difference: developers on Android know about this and do workarounds like keeping a notification open. Because Android is Android, it always has this. No existing program elsewhere is designed around this.
I see you're here just to be negative. No thank you.
Interpreting arguments as being negative; no thank you.
desktop ... lots of browsing, lots of coding/compiling, some gaming
Those aren't energy-efficient activities to begin with (except maybe browsing, but bwosers are entire OSes now). I'm not sure how energy-efficient those can be made in the first place.