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> Look at all the software running on your computer right now, how much of it is open source? Most of it? The hardware, OS, web browser, window manager, termin

> Look at all the software running on your computer right now, how much of it is open source? Most of it? The hardware, OS, web browser, window manager, terminal emulator, and text editor all are, anyway. There are a few proprietary bibs and bobs, but really not that many. > Go and check all gadgets in your house which contains a microcontroller or cpu, how many of those can you get the source code for? My impression is that most of this IoT-type devices run Linux of some variety. They might have some proprietary stuff on top (though not a ton, given the GPL), but that seems to be basically another check in the "open source" column. > Ask your car manufacturer for the source code of all its systems. Well, it's a Toyota, so it's running Automotive Grade Linux, so… > Does it really need to be checked? Seems blatantly obvious to me that most software is proprietary. It doesn't seem blatantly obvious to me, but it's interesting to hear your perspective

asutekku 6y ago
Just because some part of the underlying software is open source (AGL) does not suddenly make the whole thing open source. And you’re in a minority if you’re using linux or some variant of it as your OS. The world outside of tech circles is much more closed source.
- chrisseaton 6y ago
  > And you’re in a minority if you’re using linux or some variant of it as your OS. The world outside of tech circles is much more closed source. Do you realise most people's primary computing device - their phone - is running open source Linux?
  - asutekku 6y ago
    And a large part of it is Google’s proprietary code. Hardly anyone runs pure android without any closed source components.
    - bdcravens 6y ago
      Correct, but that wasn't what was being responded to, it was this claim: "you’re in a minority if you’re using linux or some variant of it as your OS" Ultimately the point you made here is what's important: that there is plenty of closed source that runs the world, even if underlying infrastructure is open.
sergeykish 6y ago
Do you count web sites? Can you run own copy of for example google search? Browser in nothing without these applications. There are just a few exceptions - Hacker News, WordPress, GitLab, there is a platform https://sandstorm.io/ https://sandstorm.io/ Do you have a smartphone? Is it LineageOS microG and F-Droid applications or postmarketOS? Maybe something else from quite a limited list [1]? I use Linux, there is much more software for Windows and it is not open source. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open-source_mobile_phones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open-source_mobile_pho...

asutekku 6y ago

Just because some part of the underlying software is open source (AGL) does not suddenly make the whole thing open source. And you’re in a minority if you’re using linux or some variant of it as your OS. The world outside of tech circles is much more closed source.

chrisseaton 6y ago
> And you’re in a minority if you’re using linux or some variant of it as your OS. The world outside of tech circles is much more closed source. Do you realise most people's primary computing device - their phone - is running open source Linux?
- asutekku 6y ago
  And a large part of it is Google’s proprietary code. Hardly anyone runs pure android without any closed source components.
  - bdcravens 6y ago
    Correct, but that wasn't what was being responded to, it was this claim: "you’re in a minority if you’re using linux or some variant of it as your OS" Ultimately the point you made here is what's important: that there is plenty of closed source that runs the world, even if underlying infrastructure is open.

sergeykish 6y ago

Do you count web sites? Can you run own copy of for example google search? Browser in nothing without these applications. There are just a few exceptions - Hacker News, WordPress, GitLab, there is a platform https://sandstorm.io/ https://sandstorm.io/ Do you have a smartphone? Is it LineageOS microG and F-Droid applications or postmarketOS? Maybe something else from quite a limited list [1]? I use Linux, there is much more software for Windows and it is not open source. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open-source_mobile_phones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open-source_mobile_pho...