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Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts

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In comp.os.linux.misc, Computer Nerd Kev <not@telling.you.invalid> wrote:
> I don't watch video links posted to Usenet, especially with only
> a clickbait description, but this is the only "sl" command I know
> of:
> 
> https://github.com/mtoyoda/sl

I can honestly say I cannot remember the last time I typed "sl" instead
of "ls". Just not a typo I make often. Leaving letters out is much more
common for me. I recall I used to have a problem with "mc" for "mv", but
I solved that with an alias that emits "command not found". (I don't
have "mc" installed on my own machine, but it is on a shared one I use.)

I didn't watch the video, but stuck the URL in one of the video
transcriber tools, and that tells me it's talking about the same
"sl" tool you are.

To save everyone time, here:

Key Insights and Highlights

*   IBM's Linux Wristwatch (2000):
    IBM developed a fully functional Linux-based wristwatch 15 years
    before the Apple Watch. It ran Linux kernel 2.2 on a 19 MHz ARM
    processor with 8 MB RAM, featured a touchscreen and wireless
    connectivity--an early example of ARM's presence in embedded Linux.

*   Linus Torvalds' Family Birthdays Embedded in Linux:
    The Linux reboot system call requires "magic numbers" that secretly
    encode Linus Torvalds' and his family's birthdays as a hidden
    security check in millions of Linux devices worldwide.

*   Government Backdoor Requests:
    At LinuxCon 2013, Linus Torvalds denied government requests for
    Linux backdoors but nodded yes, implying such requests occurred.
    Later, his father confirmed the NSA had approached Linus to install
    backdoors, raising concerns about Linux security despite its
    open-source transparency.

*   The "SL" Command Punishment:
    The sl command is a humorous Linux utility designed to punish users
    who mistype ls as sl. It animates a train crossing the terminal
    screen, which cannot be interrupted. Additional flags add effects
    such as an accident scene or a flying train.

*   Naming of Linux and Git:
    Linus Torvalds reportedly named git, a British slang term for an
    unpleasant person, after himself. However, the host clarifies that
    Linux was not named by Linus himself but assigned by others, and the
    name "git" has a disputed origin.

*   "Suicide Linux" Package:
    This package replaces the command-not-found handler with a
    destructive command (rm -rf /), deleting the entire root filesystem
    upon any typo, making it a risky and high-stakes typing test.

*   Systemd Controversy:
    Introduced in 2010 by Leonard Pering as a replacement for
    traditional Linux initialization, systemd expanded to control many
    system services. Its adoption caused significant backlash, including
    death threats and the creation of forks like Devuan, reflecting deep
    community divisions.

*   Linux Career Education:
    The host promotes a free, 8-hour Linux course tailored to teaching
    command-line skills and landing six-figure Linux-related jobs, drawn
    from his paid training offerings.

*   Linux Mascot Origin:
    Linus Torvalds once had a penguin nibble his finger at a zoo in
    1993, joking that he contracted "penguinitis." The Linux mascot
    "Tux" is inspired by this event, with a sign at the zoo
    commemorating "the original Tux."

*   Linux Dominates Supercomputing and Finance:
    Since 2017, all top 500 supercomputers run Linux continuously. The
    New York Stock Exchange operates on Red Hat Linux across over 600
    servers, processing hundreds of thousands of orders per second,
    illustrating Linux's critical role in high-performance and financial
    computing.

*   Historic Web Server and CERN Workstation:
    The first website ran on a Unix-based server, and the original
    workstation used by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN still exists, marked
    with a label warning not to power it down.

*   North Korea's Red Star OS:
    North Korea developed its own Linux distribution resembling macOS,
    preloaded with government spyware that watermarks opened files with
    unique machine identifiers for surveillance.

*   Trademark Dispute Over Linux:
    In 1994, William Crochi attempted to trademark "Linux" in the US,
    but the community successfully challenged it, leading to ownership
    being assigned to Linus Torvalds in 1997.

*   Real Penguins Adopted for Linus:
    The Linux community adopted live black-footed penguins at Bristol
    Zoo as a birthday gift for Linus Torvalds, tying the mascot to
    real-world animals.

*   Original Proposed Name "Freaks":
    Linus originally wanted to name the system "Freaks" (a blend of
    free, freak, and Unix), finding "Linux" egotistical. The community
    instead popularized the name Linux.

*   Steve Jobs Tried to Recruit Linus:
    Around 2000, Steve Jobs personally invited Linus to Apple, pitching
    Unix for macOS. Linus reportedly criticized the Mac kernel
    architecture, reflecting his candid nature.

Elijah
------
won't bother posting the full transcript

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Thread

I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-03-31 01:09 +0000
  Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts bonkmaykr <bonkymaykr@canithesis.org> - 2026-03-30 20:50 -0500
    Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-03-31 08:13 +0000
  Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-03-30 18:59 -0700
    Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-03-30 22:20 -0400
      Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts candycanearter07 <candycanearter07@candycanearter07.nomail.afraid> - 2026-03-31 19:00 +0000
        Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-03-31 20:41 -0700
        Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-04-01 13:05 +0100
    Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-03-31 08:17 +0000
    Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2026-04-01 07:57 +1000
      Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts Eli the Bearded <*@eli.users.panix.com> - 2026-03-31 23:11 +0000
        Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-03-31 23:50 +0000
      Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-04-01 08:37 +0100
        Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-04-01 13:50 +0200
          Re: I've used Linux for 12 years, but I never knew these 17 facts rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-04-02 00:39 +0000

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