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Linux is a doomed operating system; here's how you can save it

31 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/linux-is-a-doomed-operating-system-heres-how-you-can-save-it.125492/

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xitij2000 Original post #1
Apr 1, 2010 at 1:58 PM
While being a proponent of Linux -- and open source software in general -- there are some things about Linux which make me doubt its future as an operating system.
I have a turbulent relationship with Linux, and while I have switched to Linux many times, I keep coming back to Windows. And no, it's not because some Windows application that I use is not available, and no it isn't because I have hardware which isn't supported. It isn't because I have to mess around with the command line every once in a while -- I actually like that part.


My problem with Linux is, that it makes it very difficult to handle porn.


You might be shocked right now. Why would Linux make it difficult to hide porn, you ask? Well...


First of all, most versions of Linux have very poor multimedia support when it comes to proprietary formats. While distributions such as Linux Mint include common codecs, and VLC is just one repository away, with most others this task is too convoluted, it almost seems contrived. The poor support for hardware acceleration for H.264 playback on Linux means that I am unable to enjoy my 1080p HD porn without suffering through choppy "action" sequences.


As if this wasn't bad enough, Linux has very poor support for hiding porn from family members. Its insistence on using MIME for determining file formats -- instead of the arbitrary characters after a dot in the file name -- means that Linux goes on displaying file thumbnails even after the offending extensions have been removed. Even after renaming that "Hot-chicks-getiton.avi" to "system-kernel.sys". the file insists on opening using my default media player.


Since I avoid watching and storing porn on my Linux system I find myself back using Windows quite often; once there I find it difficult to move back knowing what's in store. I fear for the future of Linux, and believe that a serious issue such as this can affect Linux adoption even on servers. Which system administrator wouldn't want to sneak into a server room for a quick dose of his favorite erotica? This problem has gone on long enough that I no longer expect a solution, and only hope than when the end of Linux comes, all the Linux-run porn websites don't go down with it.



There may be hope yet. Sign this petition to make Linux a more "friendly" OS.
khmadhu
khmadhu #3
Apr 1, 2010 at 3:52 PM
well, u cant get everything for free!! :)
in graphics nothing can beat open source.and u cant blame Linux for this silly reason.
Kl@w-24
Kl@w-24 #4
Apr 1, 2010 at 3:57 PM
well, u cant get everything for free!! :)
in graphics nothing can beat open source.and u cant blame Linux for this silly reason.

Lo and behold!! Victim No.1. :D :lol:
A
Apr 1, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Good april fool
Tech.Masti
Apr 1, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Hmmm.... Very serious problem....;)
6x6
6x6 #8
Apr 1, 2010 at 5:59 PM
abe bachche ki jaan loge kya?

:D good april fool :D
celldweller1591
Apr 1, 2010 at 7:53 PM
Rofl ~Is it really a serious issue? I think the linux devs right now have lot more issues to work on rather than this one :p.
6x6
6x6 #10
Apr 1, 2010 at 8:40 PM
It is serious issue. One of my friend inserted his pen drive with some important files and some porn photos , and ubuntu poped up thumbnails of files/photos, which was really awkward.
skeletor
skeletor #11
Apr 1, 2010 at 8:46 PM
hahahaha niaaaaaaa :lol:
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xitij2000 #12
Apr 2, 2010 at 2:55 AM
Due to overwhelming response, I am happy to announce that I will be taking donations for this cause...

... no no, please! I must insist that you keep your contributions under 10,000 per head...

...sigh.. fine send how-much-ever you like... just don't cry... OK?
P
Apr 2, 2010 at 10:32 AM
I can't believe you. You say you mess around with CLI.
It isn't because I have to mess around with the command line every once in a while -- I actually like that part.
chmod and chown are your friends...

BTW, your post is too damn funny . . .:smile:
C
Cool Joe #15
Apr 2, 2010 at 12:02 PM
It's funny how all those who are very concerned decided not to sign the petition. :lol:
Krow
Krow #16
Apr 2, 2010 at 2:54 PM
vamsi_krishna said:
Windows does not allow me to store porn safely. I named the folder recycle bin and yet my cousin sister checked it and pwned me.

Linux is definitely safer. :x :lol:
Faun
Faun #17
Apr 2, 2010 at 9:59 PM
in resurrection we trust.
skeletor
skeletor #18
Jul 13, 2010 at 10:37 PM
<Pryoidain> What are you trying to hide?
<asaph> Nothing that needs encryption, I just want it to be tricky to find.
<Pryoidain> got a separate /tmp partion?
<asaph> of course.
<Pryoidain> unmount it then copy sh!t to /tmp. It will actually copy it to the /tmp directory on the ROOT filesystem. then when you remount /tmp, the directory becomes a pointer, pointing to the real one, but without removing any of your files in the physical directory on the root system.
<Pryoidain> No one will ever find them unless /tmp fails to mount, or they're looking for it. even if they're looking for it, they'll see them in /tmp and assume their garbage, that is if you name them right.
<asaph> ...that's fu(king genius.
<Pryoidain> I know, I've been hiding my porn under the /boot directory for about 3 years now.

:lol:
nileshgr
nileshgr #19
Jul 13, 2010 at 10:49 PM
Tar the file and encrypt it using gpg as per this tutorial: Linux: How to Encrypt and decrypt files with a password

You can create alias in .bashrc to run decryption and extract command. :p :p :p
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xitij2000 #20
Jul 13, 2010 at 10:55 PM
That's all fine, but IMO that's overdoing it.
Linux makes it too easy to just create disk images and mount them. Why bother with encryption?
It is unlikely you will be hiding your porn from someone who has the capability to mount a disk image in Linux. Each and every person I've met till now who knew how to work with Linux already had a pr0n collection! :p
Liverpool_fan
Jul 13, 2010 at 11:04 PM
That's all fine, but IMO that's overdoing it.
Linux makes it too easy to just create disk images and mount them. Why bother with encryption?
It is unlikely you will be hiding your porn from someone who has the capability to mount a disk image in Linux. Each and every person I've met till now who knew how to work with Linux already had a pr0n collection! :p
put that disk image in that hidden /boot and encrypt it :)
Garbage
Garbage #22
Jul 13, 2010 at 11:57 PM
<Pryoidain> What are you trying to hide?
<asaph> Nothing that needs encryption, I just want it to be tricky to find.
<Pryoidain> got a separate /tmp partion?
<asaph> of course.
<Pryoidain> unmount it then copy sh!t to /tmp. It will actually copy it to the /tmp directory on the ROOT filesystem. then when you remount /tmp, the directory becomes a pointer, pointing to the real one, but without removing any of your files in the physical directory on the root system.
<Pryoidain> No one will ever find them unless /tmp fails to mount, or they're looking for it. even if they're looking for it, they'll see them in /tmp and assume their garbage, that is if you name them right.
<asaph> ...that's fu(king genius.
<Pryoidain> I know, I've been hiding my porn under the /boot directory for about 3 years now.

:lol:

LOL... hahaha...
shri
shri #23
Jul 14, 2010 at 9:40 AM
Heights of Open Source Knowledge
nileshgr
nileshgr #24
Jul 14, 2010 at 10:03 AM
That's all fine, but IMO that's overdoing it.
Linux makes it too easy to just create disk images and mount them. Why bother with encryption?
It is unlikely you will be hiding your porn from someone who has the capability to mount a disk image in Linux. Each and every person I've met till now who knew how to work with Linux already had a pr0n collection! :p
So if you really want to hide the stuff, images won't suffice. Use GPG. GPG uses such a strong encryption method, its impossible to decrypt it without password.
Garbage
Garbage #26
Jul 14, 2010 at 7:26 PM
So if you really want to hide the stuff, images won't suffice. Use GPG. GPG uses such a strong encryption method, its impossible to decrypt it without password.
Technically, you aren't hiding it. You are just making it unreadable (un-playable? ;) ) for them who don't know how to open it. :p
skeletor
skeletor #27
Jul 14, 2010 at 8:37 PM
btw, this thread was just started as an April Fool prank. :p
furious_gamer
Jul 15, 2010 at 11:06 AM
^^
Who cares? Its funny to read. Isn't it?:rofl:

Now i got a strong reason to stick with Windows as per OP's first post...:nanananana:
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xitij2000 #29
Jul 15, 2010 at 1:00 PM
So if you really want to hide the stuff, images won't suffice. Use GPG. GPG uses such a strong encryption method, its impossible to decrypt it without password.

Technically, you aren't hiding it. You are just making it unreadable (un-playable? ;) ) for them who don't know how to open it. :p

Actually I think having a couple of password protected files lying around is more of a giveaway than simply renaming them or putting them in an unexpected folder. :p
MetalheadGautham
Jul 15, 2010 at 1:19 PM
There is one more way. Isn't it possible to hide one file in the metadata section of another file ?
vignesh
vignesh #31
Jul 15, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Lol. You could rename your files with a . in the front.