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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Which distros are visually and/or have user interfaces/experiential sensibillities/idioms akin to Windows/MacOS/("pure") Linux as distinct from the other 2 major OSs? (lemmy.world)

submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by cheese_greater@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I realize this is impressionistic but for the sake of the conceit:

"Mac" flavored (PopOS, ZorinOS?)

"Windows" flavored (Mint?)

"Linux" flavored (Fedora?)

Edit: was not aware 1) Distro & 2) Desktop Environment are seperate/distinct. Good to learn

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[–] Cryxtalix@programming.dev 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Like a super theme. Makes the entire interface entirely different, even comes with different default apps, like the default calculator is different too.

If you've ever used Android phones, you might've seen launcher apps on the play store. Something like that.

[–] cheese_greater@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

I feel like I never grasped or encountered the concept of a launcher, I know Apple things dont really have the same concept AFAIK

What is the interplay between the ~Mac ~ Windows

[–] Cryxtalix@programming.dev 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Well yeah. Just imagine linux being just the command line, then you gotta build a whole graphics layer on top of it. Windows and Mac built them as one combined unit. Linux being Linux, obviously different people have made their own versions for people to download for free.

So everything visually above is mostly down to the choice of DE, while the technical command line stuff underneath like the drivers and stuff are the distro.

People usually just refer to each DE by their main stylistic inspiration. E.g. KDE is more windows inspired with the start button at the bottom, while GNOME is more mac-ish looking. Neither are copies of course, and there are tons of DEs that are uniquely designed by random people with crazy ideas.