The Spirit of Computing and Free Software: Reflections on GNU/Linux

This content was originally part of a guide titled "Introduction to Computer Basics." However, as most of that guide is now outdated and potentially misleading, I decided to remove it. Yet, this particular section holds sentimental value for me, so I've slightly revised it and kept it as a standalone piece. The article retains much of its original tone, which might be a bit rough around the edges, but the discussion is still quite intriguing, serving as a tribute to earlier thoughts.

Introduction

This is the first article I've written since relaunching my website. I'm still getting the hang of Markdown, so my posts might not yet be as polished as I'd like them to be. Still, I'm doing my best and constantly improving.

In reality, both life and work require continuous improvement, and learning about computers is no exception. Many people have been using computers from a young age, yet even today they may have little understanding of the deeper mysteries within. Often, friends ask me how to start learning about computers. As someone who's just begun to scratch the surface, I believe that understanding the philosophy behind computing is more important than mastering specific techniques. So today, I want to share my thoughts on the "spirit of GNU/Linux and freedom" as a way of exploring what I see as the essence of computing.

The Spirit of GNU/Linux and Freedom

In my view, the core of computing is the spirit of freedom, as the world of computers is full of endless creativity. One of the most direct ways to grasp this spirit is by using GNU. GNU is a free operating system. While I can't claim that every computer expert uses it, I can say that every expert knows about it. Nowadays, many people refer to this system as Linux, but that's only part of the picture—we should more accurately call it GNU or GNU/Linux.

GNU is a collection of free software originally proposed by the father of free software, Richard Stallman (you can learn more about him here). He remains active on the frontlines of the free software movement even today. Linux, on the other hand, is an open-source kernel that connects software and hardware. Its emergence brought together the many separate GNU projects into a cohesive system, breathing new life into free software. So, when we talk about Linux as an operating system, we're actually referring to a GNU system built on the Linux kernel. The reason Linux has become so widely recognized today is partly due to some commercially-driven marketing (more on that later) and partly because, let's be honest, the name "Linux" simply sounds catchier.

In conversations with others, I often sense that while people may pursue freedom, they don't always pay much attention to their digital privacy. Some even feel that it's perfectly reasonable for governments or companies to collect personal data. This stems from a lack of understanding of the philosophy behind computing, as well as misleading narratives promoted by modern corporations. For instance, major tech companies like Microsoft and Apple frequently emphasize the importance of open source without mentioning free software. Many people have never even heard of free software as a concept. Free software threatens the interests of many stakeholders, and the strict terms of the GPL license—the most famous free software license—are indeed quite radical. While even I don't fully agree with all of its clauses, these tough measures are, to some extent, necessary given the current limited awareness of free software and the significant resistance it faces in spreading.

Personally, I prefer the more traditional MIT license, which I think aligns better with the spirit of free software. I might write an article about the MIT license in the future.

When people understand the underlying principles, their choice—whether to support free software or proprietary software—reflects their own independent will. But realistically, considering both the resistance from governments and corporations as well as the general public's capacity to grasp these ideas, it's challenging to get most people to learn or even understand these concepts. Still, I hope that as you walk your path, you'll share and advocate for these philosophies in computing. Below are some websites that offer further reading, and I'll be gradually adding more resources over time:

• Why Free Software is Better than Open Source
• Richard Stallman's Personal Website
• Free Software Foundation
• GNU Operating System

Exploring these resources will be well worth your time. These sites are rich in content, waiting to be discovered. A quick note: the links above are all in English. We must acknowledge that the majority of computer-related resources are in English. This isn't just because of English's widespread use globally but also because it's intertwined with the history of computing itself. Computing was born in English-speaking countries, and there are deep ties between the two. The way computers work is, in many ways, an extension of the English-speaking mindset. And isn't modern science much the same?

Conclusion

These are just some humble thoughts on the spirit of computing. I hope to see more people using GNU/Linux in the future. Learning anything takes time and persistence. It's through ongoing exploration and reflection that we gain deeper insights. As a newcomer, I'm sure there are gaps and errors in what I've said, so I welcome any feedback and corrections!