this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2023
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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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[–] Zucca@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Firmware is software.

Debatable.

Example 1: The microcode hardwired on your CPU (the one before you upload an updated one into it on every boot). Is it software if it's physically on the chip?

Example 2: Let's say you have some PCIe card which has a small FPGA chip on the board to handle say some signaling. Is the FPGA circuity software?

I don't have answers to these. I'm saying the lines are blurred when you look closely what's software, what's firmware and what's hardware.

[–] SnailMagnitude@mander.xyz 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Fair point...but it seems the Debian stuff being included in their images is all software.

Hey Zucca, I've not been around fgo much since around the time otw vanished but remember you from there and I'm still a happy portage user.

[–] Zucca@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 year ago

I sometimes miss OTW too. But at least there's Other Things Open Source -subforum where general hardware talk is also fine. There have been few people now trying to create the very minimal RH -free Gentoo installation. I have hopes those people will eventually publish their works as profiles on their overlays.

OTW died because world politic topics, imo. I hate when it ruins things.