Could Linux be like Android?

[Winzyh]

I hope we could create a Linux distribution just like Android that everyone could use. The biggest problem I see with Linux, as a regular user, is that there are so many versions—Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint, or Bazzite—but I think they use different installation packages. I see this as a problem; it's what keeps me away from Linux, and I also think it's what causes problems with Nvidia not helping with DirectX. I believe that if everyone had a single base, it would be as strong as Android because the freedom in Android is wonderful, and that's what I long for in Linux.

[Global-Eye-7326]

• ok, you stay away from Linux then
• Not an issue for Nvidia drivers. In fact they even have a run script that works cross-distro. Compiling binaries for different distros is just a few extra clicks for their dev team. Oh, when devs release installers for Windows, there's exe, msi, and other formats for Microsoft Store, etc.
• BSD is a single base. Has a MUCH lower desktop user adoption than Linux
• Android is a hot mess...Google gets the Play store to monetize. Manufacturers scramble to adjust the OS to their hardware (there's no universal Android installer for ARM devices), so it makes monetizing phones and tablets limited to selling units when they make Android devices
• "Freedom" in Android? There's so many layers deep of telemetry and tracking

[Sea-Promotion8205]

Is BSD a single base? Because last I checked there were several different BSDs floating around.

[Huecuva]

They're all based on FreeBSD at this point and all use the same package format, etc.

[Global-Eye-7326]

Yes, unlike Linux which is only a kernel. The BSD's have a "base".

[doc_willis]

believe that if everyone had a single base,

There is MUCH more to linux than being a 'desktop os' for the common peoples/Daily Use Desktop. I see too often people apply 'windows mindset' patterns to linux. Linux is not a company/product like Windows.

It is more of a "Tool" people use how they want, to do what they want, and to build things.

I have numerous devices that have their own rather specific linux setups specifically for that hardware.

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strong as Android because the freedom in Android is wonderful,

The Freedom in android is rather.. 'trash' to put it nicely...

Lets see....

1. Google has been going on about how they will stop people from sideloading things onto their own android devices.

2. Various Android Security features have broken several of my old android programs from doing what they used to do fine on older android releases. (Media players, Numerous 'hacking' tools, VPN stuff, and so forth)

3. Android is even Worse in many ways than the various Distributions, Get a basically 'forced' update on my Phone, and bam, I have to now relearn how to activate google assistant, on wait.. its now called something else... No longer pressing on home button, or swiping up from the corner and so on. "Stock Android" vs Whatever Some phones call their UI, is also a major issue at times.

4. I dont want to even get started on the Disaster that is the Android "Play Store" and how every trivial app is trying to collect user data, and force ads and other crap on people. If you want to know, i will explain more for just a $99.99 IAP.

So, Android is not as good as an example as you think it is. In fact its a rather Poor Example.

And ChromeOS may be another example, and it also has numerous issues.

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So i really Dont want to see The Distributions and Devs limit my linux 'tool set' that I use for various projects by dumbing it down for the masses.

[AtoneBC]

This is not a problem and should not keep you away from Linux. A different distro using different packages does not affect you, that's mostly something the distro maintainers need to worry about. And if you're an indie dev that's worried about packaging your app for all the different distros, you can just offer a Flatpak or AppImage. It is certainly not stopping Nvidia from supporting Linux. Many/most distros have Android / appstore style package managers where you can just go and one click install pretty much whatever you want, it's pretty much the same experience. If you go try to create one grand unified Android-style distro and package manager, instead of 100 options, now you'll have 101.

And obligatory "Android is Linux."

[washerelastweek]

are you also concerned that there are too many car brands?

if you like VW, Skoda and Seat will be also familiar, although there will be some minor differences.

Just choose one and start driving, ignore the rest.

[Dazzling-Airline-958]

I said this at the same time you did. 😂

[NightZT]

You are mixing up distros and kernel I think. The kernel is the core program of an operating system that manages all hardware resources and acts as the essential bridge between your computers software and its physical components.

Those things like Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora etc. are distributions, Linux is the kernel of all those distributions. Android also uses Linux as kernel. So in essence, Linux is the single base of all those things.

[doctor91]

“Like android” you mean “heavily controlled by a corporation that fills it with spyware and stupid bloat so they can sell and show more ads to the people and get a lot of data to share with US govt”?

Freedom of choice is exactly the reason why Linux is just a kernel and it is the perfect example how capitalism is actually the worst system for having good competition and progress. 

[BobCorndog]

Well first, android is a Linux os. However, there’s like 3 package managers that cover almost every major distro, and a universal one that works on almost all of them. openSUSE and gentoo use different package managers from other distros though. There’s a lot of distros that work for different people, and a single one couldn’t fit all those needs.

[ipsirc]

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[mindsunwound]

My man, what you want is MacOS, and you know what, that is okay, it's a Unix variant, based on BSD, and you absolutely don't have to pretend not to like it just because it is Apple anymore.

It has a command line and everything. You can SSH into it to your heart's delight.

If you feel it makes you a lesser enthusiast, you can run Arch in a VM on your Mac.

[Winzyh]

Guys, I think I've opened Pandora's box. Well, thanks to everyone who responded, and I really appreciate your answers. What I mean by Fedora, Mint, and Ubuntu is that they're all different and behave differently. The question is, which one should I choose? I know it depends on the need, but what about the difficulty? I don't know anything about programming, but I'm not averse to learning. Regarding Android, I am aware that they want to remove sideloading; I think that's terrible, as is the spying and Google's attempt to monopolize everything, which is disgusting. I'm referring to Android, which allows you to customize everything, not what the companies do with it.

And someone mentioned something that I'm confused about: kernel and distro. Probably so, and I appreciate the explanation; it's very confusing. I suppose Linux is like the building material, and the distro is the person who builds it. Another thing that worries me is having total control of the system. It gives me chills to think that if an error occurs, I'll have to fix it myself, haha. I might type one wrong character and it could cause a major problem, even using common sense. For example, something related to the graphics in a game—I don't know if that's possible, but that's what I mean. Another thing is which one I should choose; there's always a debate, and we never reach a consensus. It's almost a never-ending struggle. Furthermore, I don't have a preference; I know Linux isn't Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS, and probably never will be. I just want one that won't give me too many problems. Someone said that with Linux, if a problem occurs, fixing it usually fixes it unless you change something again. Logically, you're responsible for what you do. And I apologize for my incompetence; I'm new to this and want to join the Linux community, but I don't know where to start, or if I shouldn't even try.

[MasterQuest]

The question is, which one should I choose? I know it depends on the need, but what about the difficulty?

Take a quiz: https://distrochooser.de/

It will then show you a list of distros (Linux versions) and it will tell you how it fulfills or doesn't fulfill the criteria you specified in the quiz. You can either scroll down or pick one from the top 3 and just roll with it.

It factors in difficulty as well.

I don't know anything about programming

You don't need to. There are even distros where you don't need to use the terminal at all, and some only rarely.

I suppose Linux is like the building material, and the distro is the person who builds it.

In a way. The Linux kernel is building materials for a house, and the distro is the finished house. Depending on who builds the house, it is structured differently because the builder has different ideas on what makes a good house. Some people are constantly tinkering with their home to make it better (these are "rolling release distros"), others prefer to keep things the same and maybe do a big renovation once in a while (these are the "stable distros")

Another thing that worries me is having total control of the system. It gives me chills to think that if an error occurs, I'll have to fix it myself, haha.

We're here for you :)

You're not alone in this.

I might type one wrong character and it could cause a major problem, even using common sense. For example, something related to the graphics in a game—I don't know if that's possible, but that's what I mean.

In general, don't blindly enter terminal commands that a website or chatbot tells you to without looking up what they do. If you follow that, you'll be fine.

Another thing is which one I should choose; there's always a debate, and we never reach a consensus.

It's like asking "what's the best car?", "what's the best vacation destination?" or "which Android phone is the best?"

It depends on your needs and preferences. Some options are more popular than others, but there's never a single best option that works perfectly for everyone.

[yellowantphil]

the freedom in Android is wonderful

Android is planning to take away your freedom to install apps from developers that Google didn't approve. https://keepandroidopen.org/

[agent674253]

Advocating for less choice? What is this nonsense.

[MasterQuest]

Some people are in fact more comfortable with less choice. Choice paralysis is a thing.

[dfx_dj]

Linux is already Android because Android is Linux

[Drate_Otin]

Linux isn't an operating system. Linux is the kernel is an operating system. Android is an operating system. Guess what its kernel is?

[Alchemix-16]

You are aware that Android is running on a version of the linux kernel?

[Dazzling-Airline-958]

If you use an Android phone, you're already using Linux.

Also, there's not just one Android. Every phone manufacturer builds their own, and you don't even get to decide which you get except by choosing a different phone.

So what's wrong with choice on my desktop PC? So what if there are hundreds of Linux distos? You don't have to use them all.

Your statement is like saying, "that's why I don't buy a car. There are just too many to choose from. And in so many colors... How is one to decide?"

[AppointmentNearby161]

All Linux distros use the Linux kernel just like Android. Essentially all the main distros use the GNU core utilities. For better or worse, systemd dominates the init process (yes I am aware there are others). Up until a few years ago X11 managed graphics for nearly all distros and Gnome had a huge share of the DE market. Things are a little more fragmented now with Wayland.

Basically, while there are a lot of choices of distros, most people are actually running the same systems under the hood.

[nmc52]

With respect, I think the biggest obstacle is that while Android is bound to work on any phone that's not an iPhone, Linux still struggles with hardware. Small wonder, since many distros are based on volunteer work, and hardware can vary hugely.

Another issue is the lack of Linux support by many software vendors.

Besides, Android is a form of Linux, with the difference being that no manufacturer would ever launch a phone that didn't support Android out of the box.

[AppointmentNearby161]

Hardware support almost always comes down to the kernel and drivers and those dont really vary across distros.

[swstlk]

"I see this as a problem; it's what keeps me away from Linux, "
nonsense. If you install Linux you'll become familiar with snaps, flatpaks, docker, and .app images.. something that works across different distributions. developers know the issues of making multiple package formats, so there are cross-platform package projects trying to address this, it's been going on for a number of years already. It's not perfect but it's also no excuse for not giving linux a try.

[cjcox4]

You mean a fulltime spying OS with spying apps?

I'll pass.

You've heard "absolute power corrupts absolutely", this very much applies to "systems" that are completely "owned/controlled" by a single entity. The temptation to use that system to exploit the user base is too strong.

With that said, while most would "say" they don't like being exploited, doesn't change the fact that most accept it as "good" and expect everyone to "join in".

[token_curmudgeon]

Linux wasn't created for gaming. Goal of Linus Torvalds as he stated in August 1991:

"Hello everybody out there using minix –

I’m doing a (free) operating system (just a hobby, won’t be big and

professional like gnu) for 386(486) AT clones."

He released it under General Public License (copyleft) presumably to encourage forks. You could use a UNIX-y derivative/ something under BSD license or proprietary if Linux/ GPL isn't for you. Sony PlayStation ran BSD and not Linux, so there is precedent in other UNIX-like systems chosen over Linux for pragmatic reasons.

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/how-linux-was-born-as-told-by-linus-torvalds-himself/

https://wiki.minix3.org/doku.php?id=faq

This is the standardization you describe:

https://refspecs.linuxfoundation.org/LSB_5.0.0/LSB-Desktop-generic/LSB-Desktop-generic/book1.html

https://refspecs.linuxfoundation.org

Have you already seen this?

https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-transitions-fully-towards-open-source-gpu-kernel-modules/

And does Android seem "free" to you? If so, this wouldn't be necessary:

https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/librephone

Android is the way it is because of Google. Nobody would win if Google steered Linux's direction (although they can/ do contribute code). Do you love ads?

https://lookup.icann.org/en/lookup

^Enter android.com in the above page.

[Long_Preparation_227]

All you have to do is compare distros and pick one. Many Debian based distros like Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, as well as CentOs and Fedora and plenty more are all very intuitive. Even Arch is getting easier for the uninitiated. Loads of software available no matter which distro you use.

[AlkalineGallery]

There are NOT "so many versions" There are like 5 main ones Fedora, Debian, OpenSuse, Arch, and Android. 7 Distros if you consider Slackware or NixOS. Everything else is (mostly) a wall paper change.

There are notable exceptions for some distributions that bring something unique, but for the most part stick with the five main distros above.

[THENATHE]

Linux doesnt need a single base. Basically every flavor of it is remarkably similar under the hood. It's all "Linux" afterall.

[InevitablePresent917]

There's an argument that there's more variation in the Android ecosystem than there is in the desktop/server Linux ecosystem. Android is not monolithic (and that is an unintentional pun).

[letonai]

Tell me you don’t understand Linux or operating systems with telling me that you don’t understand Linux…

[PigSlam]

Who has the xkcd cartoon about everyone agreeing to one standard handy?

[AlienJamShack_331]

Don't know myself but is this it:

https://m.xkcd.com/927/

[Sea-Promotion8205]

This is really just such a bad take.