Why Hasn’t the Year of the Linux Desktop Happened Yet?

Status
Not open for further replies.
GlacierNine said:
Exactly, and the fact he is so determined as to waste HOURS of his time trying to disprove the fact I had the OS literally break itself is very telling as to just how completely unable to think rationally, Bulletdust actually is.
Click to expand...
Linux: when your time is worthless, go there!
 
BulletDust said:
Fukin' oath I did! And I'm not going to repeat myself.
Click to expand...

No you did not.

You got defensive about a simple question

The only thing you stated was it was your primary OS and that UT 4 required some other script to make it work.

Don’t get me wrong I want Linux to be a viable desktop OS. But the reality is until all programs work on both platforms many user won’t switch because more or less it’s inconvenient and not worth the trouble compared to the alternative.

While that may be easy for some for many it won’t be. Until it’s seamless and easy to use for the common person it’s not going to be a go to for the masses.

Considering those masses have contributed many a dollar and helped advanced computers in general, it’s silly to try and force a way of doing things on people who have the other OS type forced on them.

This isn’t an attack on Linux it’s just my observation and view.
 
ManofGod said:
Just because you do not have any problems does not make your experience the right one. You are only one person on one set of hardware, many others do have problems that are totally unrelated to experience and familiarity. No, it is not and never will be the Year of the Linux Desktop.
Click to expand...

I never claimed otherwise.

What I did claim was that just because the person in question experienced issues that he admitted looking for by no means whatsoever indicates that his one isolated case applies to Linux as a whole. Essentially no different to Windows installer issues which definitely do exist from time to time.

Should I install Solus on another machine entirely?
 
Gavv said:
No you did not.

You got defensive about a simple question

The only thing you stated was it was your primary OS and that UT 4 required some other script to make it work.

Don’t get me wrong I want Linux to be a viable desktop OS. But the reality is until all programs work on both platforms many user won’t switch because more or less it’s inconvenient and not worth the trouble compared to the alternative.

While that may be easy for some for many it won’t be. Until it’s seamless and easy to use for the common person it’s not going to be a go to for the masses.

Considering those masses have contributed many a dollar and helped advanced computers in general, it’s silly to try and force a way of doing things on people who have the other OS type forced on them.

This isn’t an attack on Linux it’s just my observation and view.
Click to expand...

No, I didn't get defensive at all.

I claimed it's my primary OS, thus implying that if games were difficult to install I would have noticed it by now - As yet I certainly have not.

I also included an example of the most difficult game I ever installed which could also be installed via GUI.

The blase attitude doesn't work my friend.
 
BulletDust said:
I don't go out and buy the latest Linux product the second it's released like Heatless does with Surface products.

And there's a vast number of products running the Linux kernel.
Click to expand...

Who goes out and buys a Linux product because it's running Linux? Of course there's a vast universe of products that use the Linux kernel but very few people buy products because of this and far fewer than that buy products specially because they run a Linux desktop distro.

People buy and use what works for them. The Surface devices I've bought have personally been solid. The 15" Surface Book 2, it's freaking amazing. A 15" convertible laptop at 4.25 lbs/1.9 Kgs, standard weight for that size of a device with crazy battery life and a GTX 1060 6GB? That's a class of device a lot of professional/creative types have longed for and they have no problem spending the money for something that powerful, flexible and unique. And while Windows per se isn't why people would buy such a device, the only option that can power such a device is Windows. If someone is spending $2.5k on a device then it HAS to run apps people want of it. Running Linux would negate the potential to use this kind of device, gaming being one area and while not it's primary point gaming on the go especially is a big draw for this device.
 
Last edited:
GlacierNine said:
Exactly, and the fact he is so determined as to waste HOURS of his time trying to disprove the fact I had the OS literally break itself is very telling as to just how completely unable to think rationally, Bulletdust actually is.
Click to expand...

45 mins, not hours at all.
 
GoldenTiger said:
? It's a good point, really. No one really cares about it like you do, photographing your purported Solus install over the course of hours to "prove" it works.
Click to expand...

Installing a Linux distro on common hardware, not a big deal. I've long said that it's possible for Linux to be an easier install than Windows. But it always comes down to what the hardware is and given the vast array of hardware there, it's anybody's how an install with either Windows or Linux will go.
 
heatlesssun said:
Who goes out and buys a Linux product because it's running Linux? Of course there's a vast universe of products that use the Linux kernel but very few people buy products because of this and far fewer than that buy products specially because they run a Linux desktop distro.

People buy and use what works for them. The Surface devices I've bought have personally been solid. The 15" Surface Book 2, it's freaking amazing. A 15" convertible laptop at 4.25 lbs/1.9 Kgs, standard weight for that size of a device with crazy battery life and a GTX 1080 6GB? That's a class of device a lot of professional/creative types have longed for and they have no problem spending the money for something that powerful, flexible and unique. And while Windows per se isn't why people would buy such a device, the only option that can power such a device is Windows. If someone is spending $2.5k on a device then it HAS to run apps people want of it. Running Linux would negate the potential to use this kind of device, gaming being one area and while not it's primary point gaming on the go especially is a big draw for this device.
Click to expand...

We've also been over this before.

People don't choose Windows, Microsoft chooses vendors and Dell's developer editions of devices are doing very, very well - Netting millions last time I checked.

Stop repeating the same waffle.

GoldenTiger said:
? It's a good point, really. No one really cares about it like you do, photographing your purported Solus install over the course of hours to "prove" it works. Your attitude towards everyone is toxic.
Click to expand...

See you've got it wrong again, you've gotta read and comprehend. What my quote easily and effectively highlighted was that the user that admitted to trying to find fault with Solus was highlighting an isolated example that's was probably as a result of him enabling 120Hz under Nouveau, Nouveau is not intended to run at 120Hz - Which highlights another point proven, the user in question experienced issues due to a complete lack of experience with the OS in question. Hardly a valid excuse to write off an entire OS.

Once again, as mentioned earlier, it took me 45 mins all up to have a fully functional OS install complete with nessecary drivers, Steam, Chrome, Thunderbird, Office Suite, Photo Managers, ISO tools - In fact every single thing almost every PC user will ever need.
 
heatlesssun said:
Installing a Linux distro on common hardware, not a big deal. I've long said that it's possible for Linux to be an easier install than Windows. But it always comes down to what the hardware is and given the vast array of hardware there, it's anybody's how an install with either Windows or Linux will go.
Click to expand...

As stated, do you want me to do it again on something else, I've got shitloads of hardware here Heatless.
 
niconx said:
Lack of binary compatibility doesn't help. Commercial developers don't want to hand out their code so you can recompile it every time there is an update to dependencies.
Click to expand...
AppImage fixes that. RPCS3 uses .AppImage cause it'll work on any Linux distro.
 
Taco said:
Right, you tell someone in accounting that. Which is representative of the target demographic of this discussion. No one is saying Linux sucks, we are saying it sucks for non techies.

How are you people really this dense?
Click to expand...

And I've provided conclusive evidence that claim is bullshit. Non techies can use Linux as easily as they can use macOS. Probably easier in fact.
 
GoldenTiger said:
? It's a good point, really. No one really cares about it like you do, photographing your purported Solus install over the course of hours to "prove" it works. Your attitude towards everyone is toxic.
Click to expand...
No he's right, it's a troll post. Though people usually ignore trolls. If you're a computer science major and aren't messing around with Linux daily, you've done fucked up.

Linux is not a waste of time to learn. The desktop is the only place Linux hasn't penetrated yet. My router runs OpenWRT which literally is Linux. My phone runs LineageOS which is another derivative of Linux. I seriously ADB into my phone to run Terminal commands and swap kernels.

But the desktop is a hard market to convince to use anything but Windows. Apple with all their money has like 10% of the market. Even Microsoft has a hard time with Windows 10 replacing Windows 7. End users have good reasons not to use Linux, cause it literally doesn't benefit them in a way that's immediately meaningful. But if you're a computer guy then Linux is mandatory. Those Raspberry Pi's aren't running that crap version of Windows. It's either Raspbian (Debian) or Ubuntu Mate.

As much as some people hate to admit it, the PC gaming market is what governs the PC. No gaming on Linux means no Year of Linux. Microsoft knew this, and is why they made DirectX. Back when Windows 95 was a thing, the game Doom was outselling it, so Gabe Newell was hired by Microsoft to port it to Windows 95, cause Doom was a DOS game. They even considered buying ID Software. But so far Valve hasn't really done something similar with Linux. Any games ported are done voluntarily. You can imagine why that isn't working well.
 
BulletDust said:
People don't choose Windows, Microsoft chooses vendors and Dell's developer editions of devices are doing very, very well - Netting millions last time I checked.
Click to expand...

The capabilities of the hardware in the case of a 15" convertible laptop that has gaming chops at the price point of the Surface Book 2 dictate Windows. No one is going to go spend a shit load of money on a machine that want to game on that can't run most games or support touch and pen or Photoshop or whatever. If there's a need to run Linux on that hardware it's going to be either in a VM or dual boot. But if you're not running Windows on something like an SB2 then probably shouldn't have bought it.
 
Last edited:
BulletDust said:
And I've provided conclusive evidence that claim is bullshit. Non techies can use Linux as easily as they can use macOS. Probably easier in fact.
Click to expand...
Conclusive...

You+keep+using+that+word....jpg
 
DukenukemX said:
No he's right, it's a troll post. Though people usually ignore trolls. If you're a computer science major and aren't messing around with Linux daily, you've done fucked up.

Linux is not a waste of time to learn. The desktop is the only place Linux hasn't penetrated yet. My router runs OpenWRT which literally is Linux. My phone runs LineageOS which is another derivative of Linux. I seriously ADB into my phone to run Terminal commands and swap kernels.

But the desktop is a hard market to convince to use anything but Windows. Apple with all their money has like 10% of the market. Even Microsoft has a hard time with Windows 10 replacing Windows 7. End users have good reasons not to use Linux, cause it literally doesn't benefit them in a way that's immediately meaningful. But if you're a computer guy then Linux is mandatory. Those Raspberry Pi's aren't running that crap version of Windows. It's either Raspbian (Debian) or Ubuntu Mate.

As much as some people hate to admit it, the PC gaming market is what governs the PC. No gaming on Linux means no Year of Linux. Microsoft knew this, and is why they made DirectX. Back when Windows 95 was a thing, the game Doom was outselling it, so Gabe Newell was hired by Microsoft to port it to Windows 95, cause Doom was a DOS game. They even considered buying ID Software. But so far Valve hasn't really done something similar with Linux. Any games ported are done voluntarily. You can imagine why that isn't working well.
Click to expand...
I was referring to the desktop only.
 
BulletDust said:
As stated, do you want me to do it again on something else, I've got shitloads of hardware here Heatless.
Click to expand...

It's simply a matter of certain combinations of hardware and software and bugs where every OS will fail to install or flake out.
 
heatlesssun said:
The capabilities of the hardware in the case of a 15" convertible laptop that has gaming chops at the price point of the Surface Book 2 dictate Windows. No one is going to go spend a shit load of money on a machine that want to game one that can't run most games or support touch and pen or Photoshop or whatever. If there's a need to run Linux on that hardware it's going to be either in a VM or dual boot. But if you're not running Windows on something like an SB2 then probably shouldn't have bought it.
Click to expand...
But if Linux could do what Windows does, I and others would switch in a heartbeat.
 
Last edited:
BulletDust said:
No, I didn't get defensive at all.

I claimed it's my primary OS, thus implying that if games were difficult to install I would have noticed it by now - As yet I certainly have not.

I also included an example of the most difficult game I ever installed which could also be installed via GUI.

The blase attitude doesn't work my friend.
Click to expand...

And really you still haven't answered the question:

Does every application and program work on Linux and have you tested them all? Not just the ones you use, think others may have issues with, or determine for everyone they don't need?

The point is still simple. Until every application and game is cross platform or windows dies and linux is the only option there will be no real year of the linux desktop. There may be for users like you and that is fine. But you don't represent the masses of people. That isn't a slam on you or the people. Just plain and simple reality.
 
Hagrid said:
But if Linux could do what Windows does, I and other would switch in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

I think many of us would considering all the stuff that Microsoft has done to us. I want Linux to succeed. More competition, More choice is better for us. And if the year of the linux desktop ever comes maybe, just maybe Windows will start putting out some things that don't include shitty deals like the telemitry nonsense.
 
Hagrid said:
But if Linux could do what Windows does, I and other would switch in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...
I have several computers, and only one runs Windows 10. That machine is my gaming machine. I do try to get games running on my Linux Mint machines, but gaming isn't a priority on them. Until every game I want to play works on Linux, I keep Windows 10 on my gaming PC. Believe me I would switch in a heart beat if I could. I blame Wine for being slow to increase compatibility. I don't need Wine for performance improvements cause I already have many alternatives to their DX->OpenGL. I use primarily Gallium-Nine for DX9 games, and very soon there's going to be a DX11->Vulkan for Wine. Which means I don't need Wine's OpenGL. Wine just has to work on their compatibility.
 
Hagrid said:
But if Linux could do what Windows does, I and other would switch in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. If OEMs could install a free OS on PCs and it worked as well or better than Windows with the same level of hardware and software support, Windows would die off the next day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gavv
like this
heatlesssun said:
I totally agree. If OEMs could install a free OS on PCs and it worked as well or better than Windows with the same level of hardware and software support, Windows would die off the next day.
Click to expand...
I would not shed a tear. I loved Windows up until 7.
I like Linux and changed over a few properties back years ago to Linux since it cost quite a bit less for new machines with no OS. For just browsing, Facebook, and printing, it worked great.
 
Hagrid said:
I would not shed a tear. I loved Windows up until 7.
I like Linux and changed over a few properties back years ago to Linux since it cost quite a bit less for new machines with no OS. For just browsing, Facebook, and printing, it worked great.
Click to expand...

Linux certainly can work well in these scenarios. There's obviously been lots of negative reaction to the changes in Windows starting in 8 and now into 10 but I think it's a far more complex subject where cynical views often discount how dramatically personal computing has changed in the last decade. Clearly the PC of 2017 is the smartphone. And yes Microsoft failed big time in the smartphone business and the cynic sees the changes as a way to leverage Microsoft's strength on the desktop into smartphones and there's was truth to that.

But Microsoft has failed in smartphones and while I'm guessing they will eventually have phone type devices, I don't see them every really trying to get back into that business on a large scale anytime soon. But regardless, the proliferation of smartphones and the cloud, it's dramatically changed the days where a PC was mostly a local device that works only with a mouse and keyboard. PCs being just the same kind of device they'd been for decades, while I get there's a lot of love for classic Windows and the desktop, what future is there in that? I think that overall the changes to Windows were the right way to go in a would with touchscreens and voice activation and apps and cloud integration.
 
Egos and free software as a religion will forever keep Linux as we know it from mass desktop adoption. There are too many duplicated efforts wasting resources trying to mold their distro in their own image. And then you have the pleasure of having unwanted forced adoption of things such as systemd. I personally don't love it or hate it, but I do take issue with how it was crammed down our throats and has egregious mission creep contrary to good programming practices. It's dev team also seem to be berks quite a lot when they don't like what someone says or points out. That's damaging to the reputation of Linux as a whole. There is hope a commercial distro may one day make some headway, but it seems the only opportunity for that would be when Apple kills off OSX and leaves a niche IOS just can't fill.
 
Taco said:
Right, you tell someone in accounting that. Which is representative of the target demographic of this discussion. No one is saying Linux sucks, we are saying it sucks for non techies.

How are you people really this dense?
Click to expand...

"You people"? Really?
All I said is that GUIs and configuration files serve the exact same purpose. How does a GUI which shows 10 different options for one field help a non-techie vs a configuration file with the same shit in it in annotations/comments/wiki?
Do you now what happens when you change the options in any piece of software? THAT SHIT GOES INTO A CONFIGURATION FILE. OMG MIND BLOWN.

At the end of the day it's just conditioning and what you're comfortable with -- nothing wrong with that. I happen to think opening a conf file and changing some settings is more efficient than fumbling thru some cascade of GUIs with a mouse. So what?

EDIT: You won't hear me arguing Linux is for everybody -- it isn't.
 
sadsteve said:
Hm, I don't notice poor performance under Linux (I dual boot Devuan Linux and Windows 10). In fact, my mail client (Thunderbird) loads much faster under Linux than it does under Windows 10. With Firefox Quantum, it appears to be a wash but that's more likely related to the internet connection and the speed of the target websites.
Click to expand...
Specifically in gaming. In many if not most cases FPS is worse in Linux.
 
Linux ain't 1/2 bad. At least I don't have to press CTRL+ALT++ to cycle desktop resolutions anymore..... By it still lacks a device manage equivalent. UEFI still blows. I tried every popular distro to install on a Lenovo M77 and it failed. Their community sucked ass when looking for help. I got fed up and installed Windows 10+UEFI no problem, 10 mins. AMD+compbiz blows. At least joining it to a domain was easy....no wait, Redhat had to go out to the internet to dl an rmp...and could not authenticate with DC to get out. XD....And what with the static Swap partition. I don't know how much swap space Ill need, far less a normal desktop user. Man, why does using linux have to feel like playing with a honey badger.
 
I will foolishly step into this conversation to add that MY Linux is fine.

It is YOUR Linux that sucks. Meaning I have no problem for the most part installing and using a distro. The problem arises when I sit down to another machine that wasn't set up by me. It takes a while to figure out because every distro is different in what they include as the base OS.

I understand it is cool to have all these puzzle pieces for choice and power and control but I really don't want to learn 27 different ways to administer and troubleshoot an OS or hardware.

Having all the cool applications and open system is great and I love choice, but keep it out of the base OS as I don't want to have to know everything about everything before I can use the applications I want to run to begin with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ecktt
like this
naib said:
Something something windows phone.

The only area windows dominates is the desktop. The next area is games consoles but Nintendo and Sony are both strong.
Ms dont have the cloud, dont have servers, dont have IoT, don't have in-car

What they do have is inertia but they also keep fucking up. Sooner or later there will be a major fuckup and their shear unaccountability and piss poor design procedure will put them into a position where they need to change how they deal with windows
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure a lot (if not most) of the enterprises are on Windows Servers (or a mix), unless you are talking about public/internet web servers which a majority is on linux. their cloud (azure) is a good 2nd to AWS (and this is on my personal preference).
 
DrLobotomy said:
I will foolishly step into this conversation to add that MY Linux is fine.

It is YOUR Linux that sucks. Meaning I have no problem for the most part installing and using a distro. The problem arises when I sit down to another machine that wasn't set up by me. It takes a while to figure out because every distro is different in what they include as the base OS.

I understand it is cool to have all these puzzle pieces for choice and power and control but I really don't want to learn 27 different ways to administer and troubleshoot an OS or hardware.

Having all the cool applications and open system is great and I love choice, but keep it out of the base OS as I don't want to have to know everything about everything before I can use the applications I want to run to begin with.
Click to expand...

This. The problem of Fragmentation. It is actually the one thing for me that would slow down adaptation of linux by the masses.
 
schoolslave said:
"You people"? Really?
All I said is that GUIs and configuration files serve the exact same purpose. How does a GUI which shows 10 different options for one field help a non-techie vs a configuration file with the same shit in it in annotations/comments/wiki?
Do you now what happens when you change the options in any piece of software? THAT SHIT GOES INTO A CONFIGURATION FILE. OMG MIND BLOWN.

At the end of the day it's just conditioning and what you're comfortable with -- nothing wrong with that. I happen to think opening a conf file and changing some settings is more efficient than fumbling thru some cascade of GUIs with a mouse. So what?

EDIT: You won't hear me arguing Linux is for everybody -- it isn't.
Click to expand...

So you truly can't see how an average end user would find a GUI more intuitive than searching for a conf file located in a gobbly gook meaningless path(again we aren't talking about Hard users) and modifying or entering additional lines with syntax that can only be gleaned by a Google search.

So, you daft or purposely obtuse? A question that can be asked of any Linux monkey that believes its even close to being a usable operating system for the masses. Maybe if the community took their head out of their collective asses they could make some progress on this front.

Probably not though.

Edit: This entire topic is about if Linux could work for everyone. So if you are instead arguing it's viability for a technical audience, GTFO. That's not the point of contention. I think it's a great OS for countless use cases on the server side and for anyone that cares to take the time to learn the ins and outs.
 
DukenukemX said:
Linux is not a waste of time to learn.
Click to expand...

And that is where you are entirely wrong. Here is why:

1. There are people that make so much money that hiring someone to set something up for them is cheaper than spending the time to learn it themselves. And that someone setting it up has to make it so that the person hiring them to do the job can easily use it.
2. Not everyone is capable of troubleshooting and thinking through problems. Having personally experienced it, no matter how many times you explain it and in different ways you do it, they simply cannot connect the dots.
3. Why waste time learning about something when something else takes 90% less time to learn and provides what they need it to do? Having more power and control is nice, but most people don't use it. Not to mention knowledge is rapidly lost when it isn't used regularly, forcing them to relearn when they need to change something.

Simply put, most people have other priorities rather than learning how to use a computer to its fullest capabilities. They rather focus on their family, career, non-computer hobbies, etc. The world is a vast and diverse place, and [H] represents a very small portion of that population.
 
Tsumi said:
Simply put, most people have other priorities rather than learning how to use a computer to its fullest capabilities.
Click to expand...
Or hey, maybe just spending their time on what they were using a computer for in the first place (multimedia editing, digital art, games, etc.). So you could spend a couple hours playing a game, or editing a video OR you could spend 2 hours searching through snide support forum posts trying to install a piece of 3rd party software that has dependencies you don't understand how to fix.
 
Tsumi said:
And that is where you are entirely wrong. Here is why:

1. There are people that make so much money that hiring someone to set something up for them is cheaper than spending the time to learn it themselves. And that someone setting it up has to make it so that the person hiring them to do the job can easily use it.
Click to expand...
Those are the same people who also don't take the time to take proper measures to secure themselves from getting infected with malware and viruses. How many people get fucked from ransomware every year?

The issue people have with learning linux is the same issue people have with Facebook changing its layout and why some hate the new iOS updates. Nobody wants to take the time to learn new things.

BTW people with that kind of money are far and few in between. Why wipe my ass when I could pay someone to do it?
2. Not everyone is capable of troubleshooting and thinking through problems. Having personally experienced it, no matter how many times you explain it and in different ways you do it, they simply cannot connect the dots.
Click to expand...
True but how does this pertain to learning Linux? Those are the kind of people I can barely get to turn on a computer. Linux isn't user friendly enough yet, but neither was Windows up until Windows XP.

Right now Linux is aiming for the tech savvy user, and from there it'll advance to be more user friendly. But again, how does this pertain to Linux not being worth to learn?
3. Why waste time learning about something when something else takes 90% less time to learn and provides what they need it to do? Having more power and control is nice, but most people don't use it. Not to mention knowledge is rapidly lost when it isn't used regularly, forcing them to relearn when they need to change something.
Click to expand...
For the end user? There's no benefits for them, but for the power users is a different story. I personally removed Windows on my aunts laptop and installed Linux Mint, but I made it look and sound like Windows 10. Got the boot animation with sounds and icons. She has no idea it's running Linux Mint. The reason I did it was because.

#1 Windows 10 was running dog slow. This isn't a fast laptop, so installing Linux mint gave it a speed boost.
#2 I was sick of cleaning infections. She's running that laptop for 2 years now using Linux and it's infection free.
#3 It's a relatively old laptop. Old enough that a number of drivers are abandoned on Windows 10. Linux doesn't have this issue.

Simply put, most people have other priorities rather than learning how to use a computer to its fullest capabilities. They rather focus on their family, career, non-computer hobbies, etc. The world is a vast and diverse place, and [H] represents a very small portion of that population.
Click to expand...
Keep in mind that I don't believe the year of linux should be today. We know Linux needs work, but people like us who are computer literate are the ones who should be paving the way to make Linux end user friendly.

Those of us know what the issues are with linux, better than any Windows user. It's not fragmentation, it's not a shitty UI, or a lack of a universal executable. We just need software ported to the OS. Little things like disabling mouse acceleration will be fixed eventually. Port my games already.
 
schoolslave said:
What REAL difference is there between checking a box in a GUI and setting "derp=1" in a conf file?
I think it boils down to unfamiliarity and fear of the unknown (which nowadays quickly translates into HURR DURR IT SUCKS ASS).
Click to expand...
Oh yes, how much easier it is, to find a setting in a 50 page config file that you don't even know is there, or what it is called, as opposed to ticking a box in a settings screen.

A good OS you can find your way in without familiarity. You don't have to have prior knowledge on where is a specific option to find it. In a bad OS, you have to refer to 3rd party help to find the setting you're looking for. And unfortunately Windows since 8 went down the same road. I often found that I have to search on google to find settings because of the complete garbage GUI changes they made. Like the infamous settings app. The only difference is that in Linux I always had to do that for almost everything even the most simple things. Like finding out how much free space is there on drives, or how to mount a new drive. Or how to change permissions so I can have freaking write access to a folder and its contents.
 
tetris42 said:
Or hey, maybe just spending their time on what they were using a computer for in the first place (multimedia editing, digital art, games, etc.). So you could spend a couple hours playing a game, or editing a video OR you could spend 2 hours searching through snide support forum posts trying to install a piece of 3rd party software that has dependencies you don't understand how to fix.
Click to expand...

True that. I remember watching a Sam and Niko video a few weeks ago where they had gotten a brand new $5,000-10,000 Origin PC. At the time, I remember thinking I could have built a PC with the same specs for 50-75% of the cost, but the Origin package gave them everything, including software packages, after sales support, etc. For them, it simply made financial sense to spend the money on that service rather than wasting business time building the PC themselves.

DukenukemX said:
Those are the same people who also don't take the time to take proper measures to secure themselves from getting infected with malware and viruses. How many people get fucked from ransomware every year?

The issue people have with learning linux is the same issue people have with Facebook changing its layout and why some hate the new iOS updates. Nobody wants to take the time to learn new things.

BTW people with that kind of money are far and few in between. Why wipe my ass when I could pay someone to do it?
Click to expand...

And I can almost guarantee you that if Linux was the dominant OS, there would be the same exploits and security attacks that Windows has to face. Here, let me open this random attachment from a Nigerian prince that runs an executable because it would give me $10,000. Or in the case of one of the companies I worked at, they opened a zip file that purportedly contained a resume and ran the executable inside it. Sometimes, that is simply the price of making something user friendly.

Also, there are many people that have little qualms renting a modem for $5-15 a month, even though that adds up significantly over time. The number of people that would trade money for convenience is far greater than you think.

True but how does this pertain to learning Linux? Those are the kind of people I can barely get to turn on a computer. Linux isn't user friendly enough yet, but neither was Windows up until Windows XP.

Right now Linux is aiming for the tech savvy user, and from there it'll advance to be more user friendly. But again, how does this pertain to Linux not being worth to learn?
Click to expand...

Said person that has a hard time connecting the dots is perfectly capable of clicking icons and installing programs.

So basically, Linux has to play catchup to Windows. It is basically still in the Windows 98 era of user friendliness (or even earlier) outside of specific use cases. Linux has had 5 years (Windows 8 was released 5 years ago) to make advancements in user friendliness where Windows was 15 years ago, but instead went almost nowhere. At this rate, when will Linux catch up to Windows XP?

For the end user? There's no benefits for them, but for the power users is a different story. I personally removed Windows on my aunts laptop and installed Linux Mint, but I made it look and sound like Windows 10. Got the boot animation with sounds and icons. She has no idea it's running Linux Mint. The reason I did it was because.

#1 Windows 10 was running dog slow. This isn't a fast laptop, so installing Linux mint gave it a speed boost.
#2 I was sick of cleaning infections. She's running that laptop for 2 years now using Linux and it's infection free.
#3 It's a relatively old laptop. Old enough that a number of drivers are abandoned on Windows 10. Linux doesn't have this issue.


Keep in mind that I don't believe the year of linux should be today. We know Linux needs work, but people like us who are computer literate are the ones who should be paving the way to make Linux end user friendly.

Those of us know what the issues are with linux, better than any Windows user. It's not fragmentation, it's not a shitty UI, or a lack of a universal executable. We just need software ported to the OS. Little things like disabling mouse acceleration will be fixed eventually. Port my games already.
Click to expand...


And the moment your aunt wants to install something or make a change (something that almost all computer users will do sooner or later, outside of those that use the computer for the exact same thing every day), she will have to come to you for help.

In any case, fragmentation, crappy UI, executables, and the lack of programs are factors that will prevent a typical user from migrating to Linux, regardless of whether you believe it to be a minor or major issue. The other major factor being what comes installed on PCs sold in stores.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top