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Coming from a Windows background, I can understand the initial learning curve in getting used to the Linux filesystem. I still don't quite grasp it all myself.

Coming from a Windows background, I can understand the initial learning curve in getting used to the Linux filesystem. I still don't quite grasp it all myself. With that said, who the hell goes looking for stuff in C:\Program Files? The exe's live there, but most Windows programs create shortcuts on the Desktop/Start Menu, so you're rarely going to go into the program's directory itself unless you need to modify a .INI file.

jsvaughan 11y ago
I suspect that the question is just poorly worded - I think he meant to ask "why are programs in linux so hard to find" (if you look at his other questions they are not mega technical but they are also not questions that a novice would be posting)
- the_af 11y ago
  I suspect this too. Still, who goes to Program Files to find programs in Windows? I've seldom seen this. Most Windows users I know start programs either from desktop shortcuts or from the start menu, and wouldn't know their way around Program Files (note: I'm talking about Windows XP, 7, etc. No idea how the newer Windowses work).
  - wodenokoto 11y ago
    I don't think he is looking to execute the programs. He is looking to inspect the program files. This could be anything from looking for assets, to manually editing config files or adding a cracked DLL to make photoshop run. When I was a teenager I would lurk around there a lot to "hack" stuff.
    - TeMPOraL 11y ago
      Indeed. Also, assuming you're installing programs to their default locations, Program Files used to be[0] the single location where you could get an accurate overview of installed applications. Both the Start Menu and Add/Remove Programs lists are way too cluttered by various Windows additions and/or third-party bullshit. [0] - I don't know how's the situation with Windows 10, but on Windows 8 I've noticed some stuff tends to install to %APPDATA% instad.
Avshalom 11y ago
A lot of programs didn't/don't put a shortcut to the uninstall utility in the start menu was usually my excuse that and installing various downloaded addons/level packs/extensions. Copying/modifying config or save files that the application decided to keep with itself instead of putting in a user specific location. Part of the curse of backwards compatibility is that best practices have been invented and changed quite a bit over the last 20 years. I've been using linux full time for the last 3 years or so and before that it was old XP installs mostly but still I found myself in Program Files at least once a week?

jsvaughan 11y ago

I suspect that the question is just poorly worded - I think he meant to ask "why are programs in linux so hard to find" (if you look at his other questions they are not mega technical but they are also not questions that a novice would be posting)

the_af 11y ago
I suspect this too. Still, who goes to Program Files to find programs in Windows? I've seldom seen this. Most Windows users I know start programs either from desktop shortcuts or from the start menu, and wouldn't know their way around Program Files (note: I'm talking about Windows XP, 7, etc. No idea how the newer Windowses work).
- wodenokoto 11y ago
  I don't think he is looking to execute the programs. He is looking to inspect the program files. This could be anything from looking for assets, to manually editing config files or adding a cracked DLL to make photoshop run. When I was a teenager I would lurk around there a lot to "hack" stuff.
  - TeMPOraL 11y ago
    Indeed. Also, assuming you're installing programs to their default locations, Program Files used to be[0] the single location where you could get an accurate overview of installed applications. Both the Start Menu and Add/Remove Programs lists are way too cluttered by various Windows additions and/or third-party bullshit. [0] - I don't know how's the situation with Windows 10, but on Windows 8 I've noticed some stuff tends to install to %APPDATA% instad.

Avshalom 11y ago

A lot of programs didn't/don't put a shortcut to the uninstall utility in the start menu was usually my excuse that and installing various downloaded addons/level packs/extensions. Copying/modifying config or save files that the application decided to keep with itself instead of putting in a user specific location. Part of the curse of backwards compatibility is that best practices have been invented and changed quite a bit over the last 20 years. I've been using linux full time for the last 3 years or so and before that it was old XP installs mostly but still I found myself in Program Files at least once a week?