To add, not just the scope in geographical terms, but also the fact that they have been around for more than a thousand years. Several (not all) of the abusing priests were abused themselves. It’s a rot that has roots measured in centuries, and I doubt we will ever see the full extent of it.

I think the other comments mean well, but are perhaps already too technical given that your current knowledge is “it’s mascot is a penguin and I think it has something to do with programming.”

Linux is an operating system (OS) on computers. OS’s are what allow you to actually use it. Most computers come with Windows, which gives you a taskbar, a start menu, and several programmes that you can use like Edge to browse the internet, Paint for basic image manipulation, etc. Of course, you can download more software from the internet to use on your OS.

Another well-known OS is Mac, the OS that apple computers and laptops use. As you may know, it looks and works somewhat differently from Windows, but it has the same basics with a taskbar (though it might have a different name, idk because I don’t use Mac), Safari to browse the internet, etc.

Linux is, like Mac and Windows, an OS. But there are some major differences. Mac and Windows are developed by a single entity, Apple and Microsoft respectively. This means you have very little difference between systems developed by them. Sure Windows 7 and 11 look very different, but actually using them is very similar. Also, (almost) everything that is included in the OS is developed by their respective companies. Linux, in contrast, is highly modular. The kernel (the OS’s bedrock) is developed by a single, open source project, but that does not give you a full OS. There are many different projects that combine other software to build a full desktop OS. These are called distributions, or “distro’s” for short. They can give you a familliar taskbar, desktop icons, and base software to navigate the internet and your files. But they may also take a wildly different approach! I’ll leave those for you to discover if Linux intrigues you ;)

Anyway, Linux is often associated with programming because it is much more cusomizable than Windows and Mac. Programmers often like tweaking things to their liking, which is why they are more likely to be interested in Linux. However, you don’t necessarily need to know how to code in order to use Linux (though, if you want to learn, Linux had a lot of good tools). My mother is in her 60’s and I’ve set up Linux for her on her laptop. We set it up to her liking, verified that the printer worked, and she’s been using it since with no issue.

To add some final remarks: Linux is not developed by a massive corporation. It is the biggest open-source project in the world! This means that anyone who wishes can see the code of the OS - so anyone can verify that they are not spying on you or stealing your data. It is also free to use for everyone (with some Enterprise exceptions).

In essence, Linux offers you a different way of using your computer, free of charge! If you would like to try technical things, it’s a great place to start. I would recommend trying out a dual-boot (meaning you have both Linux and Windows installed) to see if you like it. As for distribution recommendations: Linux Mint and Fedora (KDE edition) are highly recommended for beginners and professionals alike! ZorinOS is also often touted as a great introduction for people used to Windows.

Finally, should you even bother? Well, I don’t know what it’s like being 50, but personally I’m not convinced that an old dog cannot learn new tricks. Best of luck!

Ah I see the formatting might have been messed up. Corrected it now!

Might give it a go if I can find it, thanks!

Some of my favourites that are relatively recent (not more than 10 years old):

1917

The Irishmen

Project Hail Mary

Juror #2

Lee

1917 is definitely my favourite in this list, but each movie was a very pleasent surprise going in blind.

Might give it another go, but the first 30 minutes or so did not interest me at all tbh. Like I get what it is parodying, and I appreciate it in a creative sense, but it’s just a bit much for my taste.

Gonna cheat here with a series called The Night Agent. It’s a name that should be given to a parody spy thriller, not something that tries to be serious. “Tries” being the keyword there, as it is atrociously bad. It’s got all the clichés you’d expect. I turned it off early into episode two, I just couldn’t watch it anymore.

1/5 stars, this IKEA cheese kit came without the necessary screws!

That does explain Norsemen being the way it is. Highly recommended btw. It pulls zero punches, but because it is so ridiculous, it’s hard to take it seriously.

Move over Florida Man, Osaka Man had entered the Arena

Ah yes, more nostalgiaslop. Just what we needed. Vote with your wallet folks: do not go watch this in cinemas!

I’ve seen many. Personally I like going to movie theaters because it is a great way to vote with your wallet. Many movies coming out these days are pure nostalgiaslop; remakes or sequels nobody asked for. I will not under any circumstances pay to see them. But I will happily pay to see something new and original. Most recently I’ve seen “Lee” and “Juror #2” which were both absolutely wonderful. I am eyeing Project Hail Mary too!

Yeah no doubt this is probably old news for some, but since I’m not in the habit of browsing stock photos, it took a bit longer for me :)

I thought that was some sort of scar/tattoo initially, but yeah it looks to be an interpretation of hair. For me the first giveaway was the neck protection thingy, it is asymmetrical, has nonsensical half-existing symbols, and it has a pointy thing on the right.

I think you misunderstand OP’s point then. The complaint is not just about the result, but also very much about the direction. The fact that, if Nvidia chooses to pursue this, games running on their GPUs may all be visually tampered with in a way that ignores the creator’s intent and the user’s wish. Could you imagine a world where every game looks exactly the same and uses the same fake faces? It would be incredibly dulling and boring, in my opinion.

Not only that, but puts on tinfoil hat this might enable Nvidia to insert their own desired images into games. Ads or propaganda insertion into our escapism is not too far fetched, and given how unprofitable AI is, it would be an easy way to suddenly make it profitable.

Roll20. I play D&D twice a week, and the paid features (increased storage & dynamic lighting) are absolutely worth it. It’s not even super expensive; just $60/year. Totally worth it for how often I use it!

If you haven’t done so yet, the next time you start the game, stay in the start menu for a while

:)

Prague! Went there last September and had a great time. Beautiful and very walkable city, friendly people, and very affordable too. The city castle is an impressive site to behold, and one of the most touristy ones, but very doable if you go in the morning. But there are many other notable things to do and visit, such as the cold-war bunker under the Yalta hotel and the alchemy museum in the Jewish district. If you decide to visit, I would also recommend branching out for a couple of days to visit other cities like Pilsen (where pilsner beer comes from) or Liberec.

Thankfully it’s much cheaper whenever a sale is on these days :)

My two all-time favourite videogames, one of them kinda obscure and the other very obscure: What Remains of Edith Finch and Kentucky Route Zero respectively.

What Remains of Edith Finch is a ~2 hour story where you explore your family home as Edith Finch. The Finch family has had a lot of bad luck, and most of its members do not get old. As Edith, you explore the house room by room to see the respective person’s last moments. It’s not a horror game, though I should put a trigger warning for child and infant mortality for the game. Play it in a single sitting, treat it as an interactive movie. I cannot recommend it enough.

The other one, Kentucky Route Zero, is a bit harder to recommend to a general audience. The synopsis is as follows: Conway drives deliveries for an antiques shop, the last one he will ever do as the shop is closing down. On his way to his destination, he asks for directions, and is told he needs to take Kentucky highway 0, an underground highway with a hidden entrance. As the game goes on, we explore the mysterious underground world of Kentucky, with its strange inhabitants and culture, and expand our cast of characters along the way. I honestly cannot give a more accurate description of it without giving stuff away. This game has no puzzles or interesting game mechanics. You cannot alter the story much either. What it offers, though, is a glimpse into a surreal world filled with hope, longing, loss, regret, and, most of all, mystery. The game will not answer all your questions. There is no grand reveal before the curtain closes. You can puzzle things together from your exploration only.

I think that, for many people, it will be quite boring. But it pushes buttons for me that no other media I have encountered does. It is best played at night if you’re tired, as the whole game kind of feels like a weird dream that you struggle to recall as you wake up. If that sounds up your alley, well, here you go.