this post was submitted on 06 Jun 2025
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Linux

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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.

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Liberux Nexx GNU/Linux smartphone adds cheaper entry model (lemmy.ml)
submitted 3 days ago by carzian@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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In response to community feedback, Liberux is adding a cheaper, entry level option to it's crowfunding campaign

Source: https://mastodon.social/@Liberux/114637474399857143

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[–] someacnt@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (18 children)

Pardon my ignorance, but why people keep trying Linux phones when you can develop on top of open source android version, like GrapheneOS? Linux desktop apps are not exactly secure.

[–] utopiah@lemmy.ml 8 points 2 days ago (15 children)

I can't talk for others I'm personally interested in Linux phones (I have 2, PinePhone and PinePhone Pro) because I do not want to rely on Android because it's lead, maintained and basically in practice owned by Google.

I would also much prefer to have "just" Linux because I know it better and because IMHO we reached a point, already few years ago, where "mobile" does not mean much anymore. "just" a computer with a battery is enough due to the power available.

IMHO the SteamDeck is the existence proof of that.

Linux desktop apps are not exactly secure.

Can you please clarify?

[–] someacnt@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago (2 children)

While lots of this is problem of desktops in general, but:

  • Linux applications can access your entire home folder, which likely contains most of your data. It can also access e.g. state of other applications, which can be bad.
  • While flatpak somewhat mitigates the issues, it is half-baked: permissions are granted directly when you install the app, and user has to manually revoke the permission - Needing e.g. FlatSeal for this is insane as well. With Android/iOS, the user only grants permission when needed, which reduces lots of attack surfaces.
    • Doesn't too many apps want your home folder access by default? If you think about it, it is a huge security issue - you basically have to trust the app to keep your secrets intact.
    • Mic access can be very problematic, esp when it would be enabled by default if app requests it. Although I don't know to which extent this would be abused.
[–] utopiah@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Linux applications can access your entire home folder

That's the default because that's what most people want, or at least expect.

You can perfectly start an application within a container or even a dedicated user.

Nearly nobody does this not because Linux does not permit that, it does, but rather because most people believe (rightfully or not) they do not need this level of separation.

[–] someacnt@sh.itjust.works 1 points 17 hours ago

True, but asking user about permission to home folder vs. granting permission by default is huge difference. Also doesn't flatpak also grant other permissions the app wants as well? Like the Mic permission.

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