Why doesn't the Linux subreddit leave Reddit already?
Why doesn't the Linux subreddit leave Reddit already?
It's kind of ironic to me that Linux is all for free and open source, but still uses a proprietary platform, and a horrible one at that. Before the fediverse, I'd understand, but now, there is no excuse whatsoever.
I understand that we can't just get up and leave everything proprietary behind all at once, since we have iPhones and Android phones. We all use proprietary software of some form, but I am of the mindset of using the least amount of proprietary possible.
I will ALWAYS look for FOSS first. I also want to make it as hard as possible for any corporation to track me. They'll probably still be able to track me, but I'm not going without a fight.
I could say the same about the Linux kernel using GitHub, but I understand how massive of an undertaking it would be to move the whole kernel to another platform. I'm sure there are other factors, too. Anyway, I just wanted to start a discussion and hear people's thoughts.
Thank you
Reddit has a big community. It's about networking effect. That's why so hard to leave big platforms, because you can migrate to FOSS alternatives, but maybe most of things/people you follow don't have accounts there.
- Not everyone that uses Linux is against proprietary software or only uses FOSS.
- There are people that just heard of Linux, are just trying it out, or have an issue, and already use Reddit, or is what the search engine points them to go for help, or to ask questions.
- Reddit has a lot more reach for the common people than any other platform at the moment, there are still people that prefer to ask on Reddit, than go to a specific forum or another platform to ask (If I remember right, it still happens with some apps like Jellyfin that moved out of Reddit, but people still ask there)
These are just a few of the reasons that come to my mind.
Also institutional inertia is difficult to overcome in general.
As an example I'm on Linux for a decade now but I also use proprietary services. I use Jellyfin and Netflix, Vim and Jetbrains IDEs, Chess.com instead of Lichess, WhatsApp instead of Matrix.
Sometimes the value proposition does it for me, sometimes it's the network effect. I've ditched reddit because I like Lemmy more but I can see how someone wants to stay in touch with their niche communities that don't really exist on Lemmy. Probably some people use both.
There's two reasons why r/linux is popular on Reddit:
- Reddit is popular
- r/linux is popular
Some of us did leave, that's why you see us here
You're talking as if "The linux community" was one single bunch of people.
Reddit isn't Linux HQ and nor is Lemmy, nor is Facebook. #linux still active on IRC too, but not there either.
100%. I'm relatively new to Linux and to the western world as a whole. 😅
Even if they did... Reddit would just find new mods and reopen it. They wouldn't let it remain abandoned.
This kind of answers my question. lol. I didn't think about it that way. I thought they can just bring it all here and that one gets
closerclosed or something. I forgot how reddit works.It's how they kept everything from dying when they killed third party apps. They openly banned and replaced mods that were keeping their subreddits locked. It was a shitshow, but unfortunately reddit still exists.
It would definitely be nicer to see the Linux community grow here.
But hey. I'm on Linux and I'm here with y'all. :)
Tell me what distro you are using and I tell you if you have to go back to reddit or not.
Well they're clearly not using Arch. Btw.
How should we know? Ask them, not us.
But Lemmy users are obviously smarter, so it’s better to ask them.
Bet the Facebook Linux community is bigger than ours.
It is actually.
I hear the Linux community on Microsoft GitHub is pretty big too these days.
Because this here is for support. That there is for evangelism.
As someone who needed to use the jellyfin discord for assistance setting it up, moving from a larger, community readable platform to a platform that is non searchable externally, and more importantly. If someone wants to learn how to linux. Making them learn how to Lemmy ADDITIONALLY is gonna HURT. this is ofc ignoring the reality of the fact that communities can exist in multiple places, and assuming they'd just go read only or smth like that. Jellyfin support was ONLY able to be provided because they're matrix interconnects with discord, a software i can use! (I've since made a element account while watching media on my jellyfin server XD)
You mean Lemmy threads aren't indexed by search engines ? So if we move everything to lemmy there goes the only way to find good info online which is adding "reddit" to the search bar ?
That is incorrect on my part, I've since learned that lemmy IS searchable, but because of much lower density just doesn't show up hence the initial poster I referred tos confusion. Search link for reference
It could be worse. At least they didn't move to discord or facebook.
Discord is ok, it hosts many open source projects and can be bridged to matrix https://gitdab.com/cadence/out-of-your-element
I came here to say at least it's not discord then I saw your comment. Yes, there s mattermost, matrix, IRC, ... I am not installing Discord, I am not opening an account. I mean what s next? host your community in Skype?
Look at corporate members at https://www.linuxfoundation.org/about/members
There is a difference between Linux, the kernel, as a tool and free software the ideology. A lot of contributors to Linux are there for the money. They contribute resources, including money but also usually staff, without caring for abstract concepts like "freedom", or they might even actively (arguably) work against it when they are strategically establishing walled gardens and exclusive stores.
So... I'm not saying that's OK but I believe by confusing the ideology with the tool used for profit by gigantic corporations we are being unrealistic.
I'm having trouble following, you're suggesting that the Linux subreddit continues to exist because of some corporate conspiracy to keep users on commercial media platforms?
I'm not sure where you get the "corporate conspiracy" part. Is anybody in 2025 still not understanding that platforms do everything they can for their users to consume any content available there constantly in order to sell more advertising because that's one of the most profitable business model? Isn't that public knowledge? If it's not public knowledge are you implying it is "secret" despite those very corporations precisely publicly (at least during shareholders meetings) claiming that their strategy is simultaneously user base growth AND user engagement? If so wouldn't that be more ignorance that conspiracy?
Anyway, that's not even my point, rather I was trying to say that it seems OP is interested in Linux for the ethical aspect whereas the corporations listed there are, by definition and by their legal mandate of being for-profit companies, participating in order to improve their bottom line.
Please let me know if I misunderstood your point and/or if I'm still unclear.
Many of them are single-issue Linux users and don't concern themselves with FOSS philosophy
Think of it as an advertisement or a road sign. You want your message to reach as many people as possible.
Normies don’t usually find their way to Linux on their own. Hell, most don’t even know a third and fourth option (BSD) exists. By being on as many platforms as possible, more will find their way.
For what it’s worth, GitHub is NOT the place where kernel development takes place, that is just a mirror. Have a look here to see where development happens.
I think it's a uniquely good topic to have in both places. I first learned about Linux on reddit in Chrome on a Windows machine. It really helped lower my barrier to entry to chat with people on a platform that was accessible to my skill level at that time. But now I'm really glad there are nice foss places to talk about it as well.
Better to live in utopia and have ambassadors to shitholes to liberate others than just live in utopia alone.
I am with you 100% on the reddit aspect but have to acknowledge that any person can make their own choices. Eventually, a platform with much longer history will continue being successful, if only due to inertia alone. However, one more big mistake from reddit may be enough for the FOSS subs to migrate to this platform. As for the Linux kernel, are you sure it is hosted on github? Or is it only a backup?
It's hosted on kernel.org and the one on github is a mirror. Github didnt exist when the kernel was made initially. Or git
because Sadly Reddit is bigger then Lemmy and hopefully Lemmy will grow more.
Reddit Linux are just a bunch of gaming chuds. and I say that as a gamer.
They'll take time to understand the landscape and there's nothing wrong with that, yes reddit is dogshit but you won't convince anyone by just telling them. They just have to look around for themselves.
It is the censoring, from the top down. That is like a brick wall on reddit that will hit anyone in no time.
Why should it leave? It's good to be omnipresent! You have another linux community here and in many other places.
Subreddits can't move, they won't be subreddits then. There are other Linux forums outside Reddit -- like this one!
Because Lemmy is quite silent relatively. It’s a hard sell outside of those who enjoy selfhosting.
If no one discussed the value of software freedom on proprietary platforms then (hopefully) we'd be preaching to the choir here.
Linux has proprietary binary blobs in it. If any part of a software is proprietary then even if most of it is free why wouldn't people call "Linux" proprietary? Libre Linux removes those blobs.
side note but you dont need to use proprietary android phones you can flash custom roms to most like GrapheneOS LiniageOS or CalyxOS or you can find a linux phone os like ubuntu touch
Reddit is unified, Lemmy has a small layer of complexity on top and "sh.itjust.works" is a weird name, maybe the Lemmy system drives to such complicated names. Its not a big deal but I add that to the other causes.
Linux people are afraid of a little added layer of complexity? Please
because lemmy is bad
Long live piefed
How so?
A few things,
- I often find the federation to just drop posts or comments,
- sometimes a post has been banned and doesn't even report being banned on other servers,
- federation itself can be rather slow in many cases, and specific servers are even slower, you replied to this 10hrs ago according to lemmy, but I only got a notification 5 minutes ago despite using it off and on throughout the day.
- you can have the exact same community name but on a multitude of different servers which can become complicated.
- there is no button I can click to open the post on my server, which means if someone sends me a link and I want to engage with it, it's a massive hassle to do so.
there are other issues I have but these are the ones off the top of my head. It's simply a far inferior experience to reddit.
Linux is mailing lists, if anything. It’s definitely not Reddit.
Linux is a great platform for developing things like bots in.
Reddit is 90% bots.
Makes sense to me. 🤣
Shitpost your heart out and maybe people will stay when they visit to observe the train wreck that is your life.
Because it's fine the way it is. They can ask newbie questions over there, while we try to have more interesting discussions over here. /s
Ok but is that happening in reality
I meant that as a humorous wish. Apparently it didn't work.