4 ms·

Linux runs fine on desktop. I haven't had a significant issue in years on hardware that has the benefit of reliable wall power.

psyc 9y ago
That’s good to know. It’s true my last attempt was on a low end laptop. My qualms about my daily applications remain. I’m sure I’ll keep trying.
- SlowBro 9y ago
  Linux SysAdmin here with 20 years’ experience: I love it on the server and hate it on the desktop. Always use the right tool for the job. But that’s a good analogy for this article. UNIX-like devices did eventually dominate the world, just not in the form factor we were expecting. I’m writing this on my pocketable UNIX device. You’ve probably heard of it; it’s called an iPhone. If one adds up all the devices in the world, Microsoft only owns a fraction of all of the operating systems installed.[1] Like the store keepers in this article, Microsoft failed to adapt but continued to rely on an increasingly failing business model (desktops). There will still be a place for Windows in 20 years but it will be a niche product like macOS is today. Unless they quickly adapt. I certainly prefer to Amazon something than go to a store. This story is one of struggling to protect a failing business model. Were I one of those business owners I would spend all of my (increasingly) free time learning to either sell online or tweak my service so that it’s so compelling that people would willingly dress, drive out, risk crowds, and pay more. I would get online (hah!) and find the world’s best retailers, find out what they’re doing, and emulate their success. There are still buggy whip manufacturers[2] but they learned what was needed to adapt. Adapt or get run over. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_systems# https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_sys... [2] https://www.uswhip.com/product/buggy-whips/ https://www.uswhip.com/product/buggy-whips/
  - ganeshkrishnan 9y ago
    > I love it on the server and hate it on the desktop It's an equal nightmare to develop on windows and deploy on Linux. But it's true. I have Linux systems running for couple of years with no downtime at all.
    - SlowBro 9y ago
      Not even for kernel updates?
      - ganeshkrishnan 9y ago
        Yes it requires an restart for kernel but for one machine I never did for an year
user9182031 9y ago
I've found Linux usually works great on low end desktops with limited use (such as web browsing) but I've had many problems with modern GPUs and multiple displays. I upgraded to a 4k monitor and wanted to use my old monitor as a secondary and it required manual editing of configurations to support a setup with two monitors and two different resolutions. This is stuff that has worked on Windows or Mac for decades that Linux still hasn't figured out.

psyc 9y ago

That’s good to know. It’s true my last attempt was on a low end laptop. My qualms about my daily applications remain. I’m sure I’ll keep trying.

SlowBro 9y ago
Linux SysAdmin here with 20 years’ experience: I love it on the server and hate it on the desktop. Always use the right tool for the job. But that’s a good analogy for this article. UNIX-like devices did eventually dominate the world, just not in the form factor we were expecting. I’m writing this on my pocketable UNIX device. You’ve probably heard of it; it’s called an iPhone. If one adds up all the devices in the world, Microsoft only owns a fraction of all of the operating systems installed.[1] Like the store keepers in this article, Microsoft failed to adapt but continued to rely on an increasingly failing business model (desktops). There will still be a place for Windows in 20 years but it will be a niche product like macOS is today. Unless they quickly adapt. I certainly prefer to Amazon something than go to a store. This story is one of struggling to protect a failing business model. Were I one of those business owners I would spend all of my (increasingly) free time learning to either sell online or tweak my service so that it’s so compelling that people would willingly dress, drive out, risk crowds, and pay more. I would get online (hah!) and find the world’s best retailers, find out what they’re doing, and emulate their success. There are still buggy whip manufacturers[2] but they learned what was needed to adapt. Adapt or get run over. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_systems# https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_sys... [2] https://www.uswhip.com/product/buggy-whips/ https://www.uswhip.com/product/buggy-whips/
- ganeshkrishnan 9y ago
  > I love it on the server and hate it on the desktop It's an equal nightmare to develop on windows and deploy on Linux. But it's true. I have Linux systems running for couple of years with no downtime at all.
  - SlowBro 9y ago
    Not even for kernel updates?
    - ganeshkrishnan 9y ago
      Yes it requires an restart for kernel but for one machine I never did for an year

user9182031 9y ago

I've found Linux usually works great on low end desktops with limited use (such as web browsing) but I've had many problems with modern GPUs and multiple displays. I upgraded to a 4k monitor and wanted to use my old monitor as a secondary and it required manual editing of configurations to support a setup with two monitors and two different resolutions. This is stuff that has worked on Windows or Mac for decades that Linux still hasn't figured out.