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My first response was "he should have used linux", but I came to a similar conclusion as you. People are scared of linux, despite it now being almost as easy a

My first response was "he should have used linux", but I came to a similar conclusion as you. People are scared of linux, despite it now being almost as easy as Windows to install/use for typical usage. E-waste is the result of computer transitioning from the role of "tool" to role of "disposable consumer good". The effort to provide people with the ability to easily repair their machines to a familiar state (being Windows), to me, seems the most effective way to combat e-waste. EDIT: added 'being Windows' to second paragraph

pc86 8y ago
Well the entire goal of this operation was to allow people to continue using their old Windows computers. The same people who are taking them in to physical stores to be refreshed, since that was the original customer for the disks. In that instance "just use Linux" is not an available option.
- fuball63 8y ago
  I clarified in my second paragraph that I think extending the lifetime of Windows machines is probably the most realistic way to combat e-waste, and is a noble endeavor. I have two desktop computers, one is my primary machine and the other a home server that are 10+ years old and run Kubuntu and FreeBSD, respectively. Its easy to forget that some people don't want to swap out a CPU or add RAM over time, and that by using *nix there is a slower rate of resource bloat. Meeting people halfway by elongating Windows machine lifetimes is a great start.
AnIdiotOnTheNet 8y ago
> My first response was "he should have used linux", but I came to a similar conclusion as you. People are scared of linux, despite it now being almost as easy as Windows to install/use for typical usage. People aren't any more scared of Linux than they are of Windows. Not to go on yet another rant about all the problems with Linux as a desktop, but refusing to acknowledge that they exist and instead blaming users is part of the reason people don't use Linux.
- fuball63 8y ago
  My experience trying to set people up with Linux desktops is that even though the metaphors are the same, (like the desktop, start button, update manager, word processor), the unfamiliarity of the branding turns people off. Also, any errors that appeared (one time the package list got corrupted), they immediately go to "ah I'm not an expert this linux thing isn't for me", whereas if Windows showed a cryptic dialog error window, they just ignore it and move on, because that's the norm. I'd be interested in your thoughts about Linux as a desktop; I just got done with a multi month battle to get my graphics card working (contradicting everything I say about Linux being easy), but I still love Kubuntu 18.
  - AnIdiotOnTheNet 8y ago
    Generally people are hesitant with things they are unfamiliar with, it's true, but that's different than being afraid of it. They've learned to ignore Windows error messages, but they were probably once terrified of what they meant (usually nothing, which is why they're ignored). They aren't afraid of Linux, they just don't see any advantage to learning how to deal with it like they did for Windows, and that's because it doesn't really have any. My thoughts on Linux litter my comment history. Some of it is inflammatory because it really bothers me that no one has built a half-decent alternative to Windows for my own needs, let alone those of all the various use cases out there, but people will insist that they have and then ignore the reasons you give them that they haven't.

pc86 8y ago

Well the entire goal of this operation was to allow people to continue using their old Windows computers. The same people who are taking them in to physical stores to be refreshed, since that was the original customer for the disks. In that instance "just use Linux" is not an available option.

fuball63 8y ago
I clarified in my second paragraph that I think extending the lifetime of Windows machines is probably the most realistic way to combat e-waste, and is a noble endeavor. I have two desktop computers, one is my primary machine and the other a home server that are 10+ years old and run Kubuntu and FreeBSD, respectively. Its easy to forget that some people don't want to swap out a CPU or add RAM over time, and that by using *nix there is a slower rate of resource bloat. Meeting people halfway by elongating Windows machine lifetimes is a great start.

AnIdiotOnTheNet 8y ago

> My first response was "he should have used linux", but I came to a similar conclusion as you. People are scared of linux, despite it now being almost as easy as Windows to install/use for typical usage. People aren't any more scared of Linux than they are of Windows. Not to go on yet another rant about all the problems with Linux as a desktop, but refusing to acknowledge that they exist and instead blaming users is part of the reason people don't use Linux.

fuball63 8y ago
My experience trying to set people up with Linux desktops is that even though the metaphors are the same, (like the desktop, start button, update manager, word processor), the unfamiliarity of the branding turns people off. Also, any errors that appeared (one time the package list got corrupted), they immediately go to "ah I'm not an expert this linux thing isn't for me", whereas if Windows showed a cryptic dialog error window, they just ignore it and move on, because that's the norm. I'd be interested in your thoughts about Linux as a desktop; I just got done with a multi month battle to get my graphics card working (contradicting everything I say about Linux being easy), but I still love Kubuntu 18.
- AnIdiotOnTheNet 8y ago
  Generally people are hesitant with things they are unfamiliar with, it's true, but that's different than being afraid of it. They've learned to ignore Windows error messages, but they were probably once terrified of what they meant (usually nothing, which is why they're ignored). They aren't afraid of Linux, they just don't see any advantage to learning how to deal with it like they did for Windows, and that's because it doesn't really have any. My thoughts on Linux litter my comment history. Some of it is inflammatory because it really bothers me that no one has built a half-decent alternative to Windows for my own needs, let alone those of all the various use cases out there, but people will insist that they have and then ignore the reasons you give them that they haven't.