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

xitij2000 · 01-04-2010, 01:58 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.

Liverpool_fan · 01-04-2010, 02:47 PM

Hahahahahaa

khmadhu · 01-04-2010, 03:52 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 · 01-04-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khmadhu

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.

abhijangda · 01-04-2010, 04:02 PM

Good april fool

Tech.Masti · 01-04-2010, 04:53 PM

Hmmm.... Very serious problem....

Liverpool_fan · 01-04-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khmadhu

well, u cant get everything for free!!

in graphics nothing can beat open source.and u cant blame Linux for this silly reason.

rofl

6x6 · 01-04-2010, 05:59 PM

abe bachche ki jaan loge kya?

good april fool

celldweller1591 · 01-04-2010, 07:53 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

.

6x6 · 01-04-2010, 08:40 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.

**ico** · 01-04-2010, 08:46 PM

hahahaha niaaaaaaa

xitij2000 · 02-04-2010, 02:55 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?

prashanthnbhat · 02-04-2010, 10:32 AM

I can't believe you. You say you mess around with CLI.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xitij2000

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 . . .

xitij2000 · 02-04-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prashanthnbhat

I can't believe you.

Are you calling me a liar?
tut tut tut, silly child

Quote:

Originally Posted by prashanthnbhat

You say you mess around with CLI.

Note how I say "mess with" and not something like "super-productive-**** with"

Quote:

Originally Posted by prashanthnbhat

chmod and chown are your friends...

Yes, indeed they are my friends... and they have nothing good to say about you.

Cool Joe · 02-04-2010, 12:02 PM

It's funny how all those who are very concerned decided not to sign the petition.

**Krow** · 02-04-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vamsi_krishna

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.

Faun · 02-04-2010, 09:59 PM

in resurrection we trust.

**ico** · 13-07-2010, 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.

The Unknown · 13-07-2010, 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.

xitij2000 · 13-07-2010, 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!

Liverpool_fan · 13-07-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xitij2000

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!

put that disk image in that hidden /boot and encrypt it

Garbage · 13-07-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ico

<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... hahaha...

shri · 14-07-2010, 09:40 AM

Heights of Open Source Knowledge

The Unknown · 14-07-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xitij2000

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!

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.

**MetalheadGautham** · 14-07-2010, 06:39 PM

5 star rating to this thread

Garbage · 14-07-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Unknown

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.

**ico** · 14-07-2010, 08:37 PM

btw, this thread was just started as an April Fool prank.

furious_gamer · 15-07-2010, 11:06 AM

^^
Who cares? Its funny to read. Isn't it?

Now i got a strong reason to stick with Windows as per OP's first post...

xitij2000 · 15-07-2010, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Unknown

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garbage

Technically, you aren't hiding it. You are just making it unreadable (un-playable?

) for them who don't know how to open it.

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.