Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I've been a Linux user without Windows for longer than I can remember. My biggest worry is Linux dominates the market because a FOSS OS can't dominate the market. A capitalist market won't allow it. Of course though, if say Ubuntu was heavily monetized in some way, then it simply becomes the new Windows and the FOSS community will simply present an alternative. I'm sorry you had to go on this circular journey with me.


Why can't a monetized OS also be FOSS?


Because the monetization wouldn't work; anyone can just recompile the FOSS code and legally distribute a free build and users & PC manufacturers would flock to that.


That's already how it is, and yet the majority choose to pay for the convenience of two proprietary systems. We still haven't seen a FOSS offering that's well-suited for the typical end user IMHO.


I mean, Elementary OS exists... but it doesn't seem to be very popular for some reason.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: