Free can still be a monopoly. There is still a controlling group that decides the direction of linux and then entire ecosystem moves with that direction.
None of that is a monopoly. Ecosystems have fragmented before because of decisions and Linux wouldn’t be immune to it. Alternative forks of entire ecosystems happen.
A monopoly isn’t a guarantee to always be a monopoly. It’s just at a point in time.
Linux isn’t a monopoly obviously because windows and other operating systems exist but in a world where there was only Linux it being free and open source wouldn’t change its monopoly status.
It’s more accurate to call it a commission for marketing, advertising, and distribution services. Steam isn’t doing nother, they are providing a service to their customers.
![Steam competitors be like. [Extended?]](https://thelemmy.club/pictrs/image/8d2d46eb-234c-41bd-b7c1-fb9c4c9f2508.webp){kind=link}
Linux is free. Free cannot be monopoly. Bad comparison here.
Free can still be a monopoly. There is still a controlling group that decides the direction of linux and then entire ecosystem moves with that direction.
If you stretch the definition long enough, sure.
None of that is a monopoly. Ecosystems have fragmented before because of decisions and Linux wouldn’t be immune to it. Alternative forks of entire ecosystems happen.
A monopoly isn’t a guarantee to always be a monopoly. It’s just at a point in time.
Linux isn’t a monopoly obviously because windows and other operating systems exist but in a world where there was only Linux it being free and open source wouldn’t change its monopoly status.
Steam is also free unless I’m missing something?
They mean free as in freedom / free speech (libre), not free as in free beer / free robux (gratis)
Linux is libre, Steam is not libre, both are gratis
Oh okay, thanks for clarifying.
Steam is gratis to create an account, it is not free. All game purchases have a 30% tax, and you don’t own the games you purchased.
Not tax, it’s Steam’s cut.
It’s more accurate to call it a commission for marketing, advertising, and distribution services. Steam isn’t doing nother, they are providing a service to their customers.
Thanks for clarifying