this post was submitted on 05 Feb 2025
205 points (99.5% liked)
Linux
49701 readers
1728 users here now
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Rules
- Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
- No misinformation
- No NSFW content
- No hate speech, bigotry, etc
Related Communities
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
I really do want to see risc V succeed in the desk top and laptop space. The fact that there are only two major architectures and both are owned by companies is a serious potential issue. Especially if they both ended up being owned by one company somehow.
Well, kind of 3 companies.
Intel and AMD both have rights to x86_64, since they both held patents used by it. In 2021, AMD’s patents expired.
Then there’s ARM, which is solely owned by Arm Holdings.
But yes, it’s still very much a big problem, and I really hope RISC-V succeeds to solve that problem. Licensing core designs is a much better motive and business model than licensing an entire ISA.
Edit: oh wait, you said two architectures, not two companies. Never mind, you’re right. :)