this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2025
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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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It was a term for modded crappy japanese motorcycles and cars, that derived from a slur for asian people.
I think the important bit people miss here is "was", language changes, it was an insult, now it just means adding shiny stuff to your desktop.
I think the modern usage also has the nuance of fragility and temporality.
You wouldn't call a polished and extremely stable customisation a 'rice', you'd probably call it a theme
I'm all for using "theme" as a replacement.
I just said 'theme' has different connotations?
How about "farkle" to take another term from the motoring world?
Plenty of people still know or use the other meanings, and it's still based on common stereotypes. Reclaiming slurs only really works when it's done by the targeted group, and when the word is being used with positive connotations.
It isn't cool if it's offending people, though. And clearly it is.