FSF Reminds Consumers That Truly Free OS's Exist (fsf.org)
- Reference: 0179819398
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/10/18/036200/fsf-reminds-consumers-that-truly-free-oss-exist
- Source link: https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/2025-end-of-windows-10
They argue that the lack of freedom that comes with proprietary code "forces users to surrender to decisions made by Microsoft to maximize its profits and further lock users into its product ecosystem" — describing both the problem and one possible solution:
> [IT management company Lansweeper] found that of the [2]30 million enterprise systems they manage, over 40% are incompatible with Windows 11. This is due to the hardware requirements like Treacherous Platform Module version 2.0 — a proprietary chip that uses cryptography that users can't influence or audit to restrict their control over the system.
>
> The end of Windows 10 support is the perfect opportunity to break free from this cycle and switch to GNU/Linux operating system (GNU/Linux OS), a system that respects your freedom...
>
> The endless, freedom-restricting cycle of planned obsolescence is not inevitable. Instead of paying Microsoft for continued updates or buying new hardware, Windows users left behind by Microsoft should install GNU/Linux. Free Software Foundation certified GNU/Linux distributions respect the user's freedom to run their computer as they wish, to study and modify its source code, and to redistribute copies. They don't require update contracts, often run faster on older hardware, and, most importantly, put you in control.
"If you're already a GNU/Linux user, you have an important role to play. Help your friends and family make the switch by sharing your knowledge, help them install a free-as-in-freedom OS. Show them what it means to have real control over their computing!"
[1] https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/2025-end-of-windows-10
[2] https://www.zdnet.com/article/a-surprising-number-of-pcs-cant-upgrade-to-windows-11-heres-why/
Re:Halloween (Score:4, Informative)
Can't believe its been so many years since the [1]Halloween Documents [wikipedia.org] were written, and I'm sure this AC comment was a troll from someone who wasn't even born back then, and not a reference to this infamous time period, but the Halloween Documents are the reason so many of us still distrust Microsoft. Its not really the telemetry, which every app has now, or the proprietary nature, which is every non-free OS at this point. Remember - Microsoft is the reason the term FUD exists. They were masters of marketing and propaganda in the 90s and early 00s and actively sought to destroy Free software, Linux specifically. They've supposedly made peace with Linux but I don't trust them and just can't due to the nature of their business. Sorry MS.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_documents
Re: (Score:2)
> Win 11 will go down with ME, Vista, and 8
At this point the pattern feels almost intentional as each of those was replaced with a dominant version. Are we a year away from the "Windows 12" announcement and everyone will move to that?
But, Your Highness, she's a commoner. Her Slurm will taste foul.
Yes! Which is why we'll market it as New Slurm. Then, when everyone hates it, we'll bring back Slurm Classic, and make billions!
Linux on the desktop will happen when (Score:2)
...WINE actually works. Then people can run their legacy software, since most fields have specialized software, and most of it was designed for Windows or DOS because they standardized the hardware model we use now.
Preaching to the choir (Score:2)
The average consumer doesn't care about this stuff.
They'll happily do whatever they're prompted to do, because it makes life simple.
Using vi to edit Makefiles so that they can compile and install a new driver for their favourite USB wifi dongle...not gonna happen.
Definitely worth to look further into this. (Score:2)
I'm right now trying out Zorin OS, this could be an alternative for some since it has a look similar to Windows.
But is there a version of Teams for Linux?
Re:Definitely worth to look further into this. (Score:5, Informative)
> Linux is mainly for coders and hobbyist system builders; most people doing actual work can't be arsed
Linux is the most common operating system around (Android). BSD is right after (iOS). Windows is a distant third.
As for GNU/Linux (not Android), most people who use it, use it for real work. It's a programmer's OS.
Re: (Score:2)
For both of those it required a benevolent(?) corporate overlord to get those systems real market penetration and even then both of those would be considered bastardizations by the community at large today, both a far cry from their open source origins. An OS is far more than it's kernel.
Re: (Score:2)
[1]Vectorworks also supports MacOS [vectorworks.net] so much so that most of the tutorial videos online about it are using Apple to run it.
[1] https://www.vectorworks.net/en-US
Re: (Score:2)
Teams-for-linux [1]https://github.com/IsmaelMarti... [github.com]
[1] https://github.com/IsmaelMartinez/teams-for-linux
Re: (Score:2)
> I'm right now trying out Zorin OS, this could be an alternative for some since it has a look similar to Windows.
> But is there a version of Teams for Linux?
I have a couple of people I *can* "upgrade" to W11 from W10, but I think they're ideal candidates to move to Zorin or Mint.
MS used to supply a desktop client of Teams for LInux, but hasn't for a year or more at this point. However, the web interface works well enough. And if you don't mind snaps on your system, you can try wrapping the web interface in a sort of desktop app: [1]https://snapcraft.io/teams-for... [snapcraft.io]
[1] https://snapcraft.io/teams-for-linux