this post was submitted on 01 Mar 2026
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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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"Hey, I never liked Office 365, Microsoft as a company and all the Cloud shenanigans... And have you noticed how their products all become shittier and more invasive by the day? All while they increase subscription price each year now to finance all the AI stuff I rarely use? I'm a long-term fan of this other product, called XYZ which is just better in every aspect. No offense. If you want me to send you a link..."
(Edit: It'll become easier after a while. At some point they all know you're a Linux nerd and disassembled your wifi router at home, dishwasher... To get rid of proprietary spy components. And people will deliberately decide to listen to your opinion and lengthy rant, or make an effort to not bring up the topic 😆 At that point, you're relatively free to speak your mind... Just read the room a bit. The goal isn't to annoy people.)
I think that will really help if you really need to explain lol. Yeah, tell them you're a nerd, that's why!
Hehe. It depends a bit on the social group. But most people will be aware of it before I even open my mouth... Dunno, maybe it's the long hair, or Debian t-shirt or something like that. But I rarely have to (verbally) disclose the fact I'm a nerd 😉 There's some danger of confusion with the metalheads, but you know, people can fulfill several stereotypes simultaneously, so... confusion avoided...