this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2024
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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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[–] dinckelman@lemmy.world 134 points 3 months ago (5 children)

A lot of people here have such a bizarre stance.

People have put work into this, for free. And the moment they ask for support, you immediately bring the pitchforks out, over a singular pop-up you can permanently disable? That's just plain disrespectful, at the very least

[–] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 43 points 3 months ago (4 children)

Unfortunately, there has always been the issue that a not-insignificant percentage of users of FOSS software believe the FREE part means "free as in beer" and take umbrage when asked to contribute.

I've long been a proponent (and I know I'm in a minority) that has advocated for a shift in the marketing of FOSS applications from "donation based" to "value based". Meaning that the expectation is that if you enjoy the software, you pay an amount that you believe is commensurate to your use. This is voluntarily of course...if you can't pay, than please use it and enjoy it. But those who can pay, should pay...at least a little bit, to offset the costs for those who can't.

It's more or less that the wording of FOSS apps needs to change so that you are expected to contribute if you can.

Just my opinion. Like I said, I know I'm in the minority. Just not a fan of the percentage of users that has always existed that (falsely) think that asking for money for your project is somehow anathema to the Open Source ideal and whine whenever they're asked to contribute.

[–] lud@lemm.ee 10 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Also what the hell is up with everyone saying "free as beer"?

Beer isn't free!

[–] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 20 points 3 months ago (1 children)

The full saying is "Free as in Speech, not Free as in Beer"

Basically the "Free" in free means that it's free to do with as you please, modify, etc... But not free as in "here's a free product...like getting a free beer"

[–] ricdeh@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago

That's also confusing and it is not the full saying. The full saying is "free as in free speech, not free beer".

From the FSF website:

Free software is a matter of liberty, not price. Think of “free” as in “free speech”, not as in “free beer”. Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software.

[–] njordomir@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

I like that terminology. I use some very high quality, high visibility FOSS software and sometimes feel bad that I more frequently donate to smaller projects that bring me value by filling a specific want or need that no one else is working on.

[–] nef 13 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I'm not against the idea, but I do think it's a bit unfair. There are dozens of projects KDE relies on that never even get the chance to ask for donations this way, simply because they don't need a GUI.

I believe KDE should at least offer to share the donations with other projects, projects that would otherwise have no voice. Something like the old Humble Bundle donation method would work really well, and let users to choose how their money is allocated.

[–] D_Air1@lemmy.ml 9 points 3 months ago (1 children)

While I understand where you are coming from. That goes for a lot of projects in general. Not to mention that KDE is literally an example of the thing you are talking about. KDE has an entire ecosystem of libraries that anyone can use called kde frameworks with many examples of these libraries being used on various projects large and small outside of KDE. They don't see a dime from this either. I recall a conference on TechHut's youtube channel spotting KDE's frameworks in the wild being used by companies at the event.

[–] ricdeh@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

And KHTML! Basically, KDE work is the foundation of the browser engines behind Chromium and Safari.

[–] turbowafflz@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

The one change I would make would be adding a "never" button to the notification so you don't have to disable it in the settings if you don't want it

Or actually "Don't show again" would probably be better phrasing