this post was submitted on 29 Dec 2025
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This is where the Linux and self hosting people chime in.
I get tut-tutted by other Linux nerds for this a lot, but I think Linux is impersonal in a different way because it simply demands more of the user. Sure, it gives freedom, but that freedom comes with responsibility, and a lot of people just are like "ain't nobody got time for that!" Which I think is a valid way to feel.
I've been a developer for decades. I've contributed to FOSS code and do a lot of my own development.
I just want a desktop that works. No fuss.
Yes I could compile my own x11 (and have) but I would rather spend my time doing my own shit than trying to stand up a new VM for some edge issue I'm having.
Just...just give me a UI I can use.
It's why I use Ubuntu.
Linux has come a long way though and it's basically turn key for some distros. Even with flatpak or system catalogs built into the gui.
tut-tut
Self hosting doesn’t make you immune, though. See how Plex evolved, for example. Self hosting plus free software that isn’t abandoned or compromised is the way, but idealistic developers need to take bread to the table too.
So the way maybe is self-hosted + libre software + a non-profit supporting the project. And that can too be corrupted, for example, the Mozilla Foundation and Google’s influence.
Always be ready to migrate.
This is why permissive licensing isn't good enough; copyleft is essential. (And not just GPLv2 copyleft, but copyleft with anti-tivoization and cloud loophole protection as well, such as AGPLv3.) Every part of the system -- the tech itself, the management, and the legal/business structure -- has to be designed to resist being subverted against the user.
or be ready to contribute to the project you use, so they don't have to sell out to google.
that may happen despite your contributing or not
you can also have car accident with or without alcohol, but that doesn't mean that dui is good idea.
Yes, of course you shouldn't drive under influence. Still, what a bad analogy. Two completely unrelated scenarios.
your inability to understand it doesn't make it bad analogy. in both cases, one of the outcomes is far more likely. and your argument is as stupid as drunk driver explaining "i can crash sober, so why try"
Wow how condescending we are today. I'm sorry I failed to appreciate the analogy that your big, beautiful smooth brain produced.
Prick.
now you showed me! how was kindergarten today?
Ive contributed to several projects, code and translation, but you can really expect every user to be a programmer, or every programmer to contribute to every piece of software they use.
Besides, contribution is not a protection from capture, just look at MySQL.
i meant contributing with money. contributing code is nice, but that doesn't help them to pay for electricity.
That’s donations, and I’ve donated to less projects that I’d like, because it would become costly very fast. Mainly things like Wikipedia or Jellyfin.
Oh yeah linux people have been building like crazy these past 10 years.
Sometimes the user experience is so slick its boring. But the great past of.linux is even when the usage is simple I can always tweak it or modify it to my exact liking.
On Mac it either works nicely or I'm fucked.
They've been really holding back until now.