And at the same time we have the Jugendmedienstaatsvertrag in Germany (and with Germany as a strong force in the EU most likely everywhere in the EU soon) that will make all operating systems without fully integrated age restrictions illegal https://www.heise.de/en/news/Minors-protection-State-leaders-mandate-filters-for-operating-systems-10199455.html
Manufacturers of operating systems must then ensure that “only apps that correspond to the age specification or that have been individually and securely activated can be used”. The installation of programs should only be possible via distribution platforms such as app stores that take the age rating into account and have an automated rating system recognized by the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM).
This part of the law alone is impossible to implement on a open platform like Linux.
Instrumenting a fascist society while pretending to protect children…
Yeah, as it is so often
these types of laws usually come from the most technically illiterate people ever
Unfortunately yes!
Since it is impossible to implement on Linux, it may just be flagged as adult-only software.
But, there is still hope. What if Snaps and Flatpaks get properly flagged, allowing Ubuntu and/or Fedora to be legal?
I mean it’s impossible on all computers.
Windows should ensure you can only use app-store and make it impossible to install an exe online as example
MacOS even funnier. If I save a bash script I found online mac is supposed to refuse, unless I am using a vpn that is!
I don’t think they will prohibit side loading. This will cause serious issues to developers, and other professionals.
Like, I cannot use the X tool from Github, just because the Y developer refuses to publish it in an organized store?
The law doesn’t say that the option has to be active for everyone and all the time, but it has to be fully integrated into the OS so it can be activated fast and easy when children/teenagers want to use the PC.
Since it is impossible to implement on Linux, it may just be flagged as adult-only software.
This would render Linux unfit for use in Schools, Public Libraries, Youth Centers and other places where Children and Teenagers have access to PCs.
It is, in addition to that, possible that internal regulation of government offices prohibit the use of adult software. Not sure about it, but it would IMHO fit the mindset of bureaucrats
Ok, but how to prevent programs installed as Appimage, by source compilation or just downloaded binaries from running? You need a way to prevent this methods of installation to be legal
This also applies to Windows. What prevents a user from downloading a Firefox fork that does not properly implement age verification?
Microsoft already has the S-Mode in Windows 11 that only allows to execute apps that come from the Microsoft Store. So it is already possible in Windows.
Don’t tell me it is law already!
It is in ratification, and will (most likely) become binding law by 1st of December 2025 in Germany
German link: https://rundfunkkommission.rlp.de/rundfunkkommission-der-laender/reform-des-jugendmedienschutz-staatsvertrages-2023
😨
every user converted to linux is a win
I think that if Linux is to be more widely adopted a more easily used distro needs to become mainstream. Let’s face it, the average computer user barely knows how to use Windows, just because you find Linux easy doesn’t mean they will.
Do you think you could teach Linux to your grandmother?
Actually, my mother knew how to use Debian before she could use Windows. Her first pc came with Windows XP, switched that for Debian as its been my main OS since 2000.
Yes, you can teach your grandmother to use Linux.
We already have those. Arguably Windows is much more of a hassle to use than your average “works out of the box” distro. And don’t start talking about the terminal, that’s comparing apples and organges. A more apt comparison to the need of using the terminal on Linux is the need to apply registry tweaks or use powershell on Windows. As if “average users” would need to do that. They install software via the “app store”, change settings via the GUI and run updates when prompted, all of which are seamless on most of these distros. If something breaks, they can’t fix it themselves, but then they just go to someone else to help them, just like on Windows, which they also can’t fix by themselves. Maybe they manage to reinstall, which isn’t any harder than on Windows, if not easier these days.
The group you’re actually talking about (and likely belong to) are the Windows power-users that would need to rethink things, and would be capable of rethinking things, if they wanted, which they don’t. I know some of these people myself, complaining all day about Microsoft and the privacy nightmare that they put in huge effort to mitigate, but sadly they absolutely need to rely on this one “critical” piece of freeware from the 2000s that they are sure won’t run on wine (not that they’ve tried) or a cracked copy of Photoshop they use for cropping and changing the brightness of desktop backgrounds, but it’s the industry leader, so they obviously won’t use “inferior” software for that, face the facts Linux users. They think package managers are much harder than downloading and clicking through Setup.exe for the 100th time in a row, and they’ve had this one bad experience with “rm -rf /” 10 years ago which is why they don’t “trust” the terminal, yet routinely double-click on downloaded .bat files without thought. 🤷
Hopefully this helps increase adoption. Maybe in a few years GNU+Linux will have 10% of the desktop operating systems market. Maybe even Wine won’t be necessary anymore except for legacy software.
It can’t fail, unless MS pulls a monopoly stunt or bribe politicians… There’s only a win, by ditching MS…
Good F#$%^ riddance.
Actually, most of them already do have deals for a limited time. Skype is still available; they needed a new contract since teams does not work without communicating with Microsoft.
OTOH most things they do is via webclient.
If Microsoft was to release a mandatory update that has a single thing that required it to communicate with the organization, by law the whole governmental EU would not be able to use it.
I am all for ditching Microsoft, but why should this post be in this community? There are also Android, Mac OS, and all kinds of BSD.
None of what you listed is a viable alternative for a myriad of reasons. Only GNU+Linux can replace Windows.
- Android: a mobile OS first and foremost with very limited usability as a general purpose desktop operating system.
- MacOS: hardware from one vendor only.
- *BSD: more niche with even lesser support than GNU+Linux.
What’s wrong with going back to pen and (e-)paper for office? My point is, if you are going to post something in the community, the word “linux” shall at least be in the title.
Good title example: Europe is slowly ditching Microsoft for Linux
It’s nobody’s fucking business when someone ditching Microsoft, then adopt BSD, Solaris whatnot. What matters to this community is someone adopting or ditching Linux, or they do something remotely related to it.
In the video, he talks about examples of European governments specifically switching to Linux, like a police station using an Ubuntu based distro, and foss software like LibreOffice. I don’t think android, Mac or BSD are mentioned.
Fair enough. I didn’t watch the video.
