4 ms·

So how exactly is using the WSL using Linux more effectively ? Is that not the same as claiming that : Using Wine so I can use Windows more effectively ? I'm

So how exactly is using the WSL using Linux more effectively ? Is that not the same as claiming that : Using Wine so I can use Windows more effectively ? I'm really not sure from your article what you were missing, on either Windows/Linux side.. You didnt mention any Windows/Linux specifics, just that you tried the WSL and it worked. Which is cool.. But if you're just worried about using linux more effectively.. Just use linux ?

gen3 7y ago
I think the point of it was that he wanted a tablet with a keyboard attachment, and the ability to use Linux. After looking at all his options, the surface was the best for his use case (And it only runs windows). The point being, it works for his use case.
- bilekas 7y ago
  Ah okay, that would make more sense, so its an article about a hardware preference. I was under the impression also that there was a specific linux distro for the surface (variant of ubuntu afaik) but okay, could be a bit more clear then about the restrictions of loading a full blown linux distro on the surface specifically.
- iudqnolq 7y ago
  It's not quite there yet, but the linux-surface kernel is getting there. I run it as my daily driver. https://github.com/linux-surface?tab=repositories https://github.com/linux-surface?tab=repositories
  - gen3 7y ago
    That's awesome!
ryanmcdonough 7y ago
As he said: “ I began looking for dockable tablets with USB-C and the ability to do Linux work on them while also having good battery life, and relatively painless wifi and bluetooth. While there are some great preloaded Linux devices out there (e.g. Dell XPS, System76, Purism Librem) all either lacked a tablet mode, USB-C , or both. Macs lacked tablet mode, and also have been using a keyboard design recently that I don’t personally like very much.” None of the OOTB Linux laptops offered either a tablet mode, usb-c or both, same for the Mac. The clue was in the content.
- bilekas 7y ago
  Yeah I kinda get it now, but it's still a bit strange for me. I've never shopped for an OOTB linux laptop, nor do I understand why thats a requirement, gnome as supported tablet mode for years too. So was all a bit confusing what the relevance of those 'clues' where.
  - x0054 7y ago
    Not everyone wants to spend time on setting up drivers and figuring out why something no longer works after an update, even if they have the skills. I can setup Linux on almost any HW, I choose not too, and use Mac and Windows instead because I have better things to do with my time. Out of the box hardware works out of the box and allows you to do something you actually enjoy. If you enjoy setting up and maintaining Linux, by all means, you should do so, but other people have other hobbies. Mind you, it’s not like MacOS or Windows are a joy to setup either, especially on obscure hardware, but if you buy first party hardware, that hard work is usually done by people who get paid to make it their full time “hobby” so I don’t have to. As an example, there is a YouTube dude who does nothing but installs Linux distorts. He is an expert VIM user even though he doesn’t code, just edits config files and plays in the terminal while looking super serious. I spend time in VSCode writing actual code. It’s less cool looking but far more productive for me to use MacOS for that. To each their own.
    - bilekas 7y ago
      > Not everyone wants to spend time on setting up drivers and figuring out why something no longer works Cool, for starters, linux is not like that anymore, I remember setting up BSD from a copy from a magazine, that's not how it is today thank god so that point is as useless for this context. > it’s not like MacOS or Windows are a joy to setup either, especially on obscure hardware Ok; now we are loading full OS's up,(on obscure hardware?) bit of change of focus from your last comment. But whatever. Nobody in their working mind needs to load up a bootstraped OSX+n so unless you're a complete pirate who requires sketch, you better have a hook and an eye patch before i'll entertain your fallacy. Windows is super easy, maybe more than your mom, as we're all throwing ideas out?. Your last one is kinda too comical to make fun of.. > As an example, there is a YouTube dude who does nothing but installs Linux distorts. He is an expert VIM user even though he doesn’t code, just edits config files and plays in the terminal while looking super serious. I spend time in VSCode writing actual code. It’s less cool looking but far more productive for me to use MacOS for that. To each their own. Yeah, to each their own. But, we're talking about one article, one very specific article, actually, we are again talking about 1 article. Not examples. But, this was fun. Moron. I'll be sure to take all your comments/nonsense with a glacier of salt. If you'd like some attention for your work, do something and share it, the OP had the balls to do write something and accept my criticism, where is yours ? You're a bit worse than that little shit i take after I've taken a shit.. The inconvenience.
bdcravens 7y ago
According to the article, they found Chrome OS extremely lacking, and it seems that tablet mode on a PC was a need, and something that standard "tabletable" PCs fell short when running a usual distro. Apparently Surface PCs with WSL hit the sweet spot for them. This makes sense: I think a common attitude is that the CLI for Linux is top-notch, whereas the UI and its shortcomings is something you learn to live with. Making Windows the "front end" for Linux seems like a good solution depending on your needs.
eknkc 7y ago
I tried using Linux a couple of times on laptops. Multiple distros and devices. Power management is a disaster. I want to close the lid and not think about the computer sleeping. Nope. Trackpad drivers are beyond help. High resolution screen support is still weird. List goes on. Anyway, WSL allows using a sane desktop environment and the great Linux kernel together. I think it is exciting as it might finally be the year of desktop linux when the desktop is actually Windows.
vbezhenar 7y ago
Modern WSL is more like VM. Actually it could make sense, if laptop support for Linux is poor, just run Windows and run Linux inside. At least you'll have properly supported drivers.

gen3 7y ago

I think the point of it was that he wanted a tablet with a keyboard attachment, and the ability to use Linux. After looking at all his options, the surface was the best for his use case (And it only runs windows). The point being, it works for his use case.

bilekas 7y ago
Ah okay, that would make more sense, so its an article about a hardware preference. I was under the impression also that there was a specific linux distro for the surface (variant of ubuntu afaik) but okay, could be a bit more clear then about the restrictions of loading a full blown linux distro on the surface specifically.
iudqnolq 7y ago
It's not quite there yet, but the linux-surface kernel is getting there. I run it as my daily driver. https://github.com/linux-surface?tab=repositories https://github.com/linux-surface?tab=repositories
- gen3 7y ago
  That's awesome!

ryanmcdonough 7y ago

As he said: “ I began looking for dockable tablets with USB-C and the ability to do Linux work on them while also having good battery life, and relatively painless wifi and bluetooth. While there are some great preloaded Linux devices out there (e.g. Dell XPS, System76, Purism Librem) all either lacked a tablet mode, USB-C , or both. Macs lacked tablet mode, and also have been using a keyboard design recently that I don’t personally like very much.” None of the OOTB Linux laptops offered either a tablet mode, usb-c or both, same for the Mac. The clue was in the content.

bilekas 7y ago
Yeah I kinda get it now, but it's still a bit strange for me. I've never shopped for an OOTB linux laptop, nor do I understand why thats a requirement, gnome as supported tablet mode for years too. So was all a bit confusing what the relevance of those 'clues' where.
- x0054 7y ago
  Not everyone wants to spend time on setting up drivers and figuring out why something no longer works after an update, even if they have the skills. I can setup Linux on almost any HW, I choose not too, and use Mac and Windows instead because I have better things to do with my time. Out of the box hardware works out of the box and allows you to do something you actually enjoy. If you enjoy setting up and maintaining Linux, by all means, you should do so, but other people have other hobbies. Mind you, it’s not like MacOS or Windows are a joy to setup either, especially on obscure hardware, but if you buy first party hardware, that hard work is usually done by people who get paid to make it their full time “hobby” so I don’t have to. As an example, there is a YouTube dude who does nothing but installs Linux distorts. He is an expert VIM user even though he doesn’t code, just edits config files and plays in the terminal while looking super serious. I spend time in VSCode writing actual code. It’s less cool looking but far more productive for me to use MacOS for that. To each their own.
  - bilekas 7y ago
    > Not everyone wants to spend time on setting up drivers and figuring out why something no longer works Cool, for starters, linux is not like that anymore, I remember setting up BSD from a copy from a magazine, that's not how it is today thank god so that point is as useless for this context. > it’s not like MacOS or Windows are a joy to setup either, especially on obscure hardware Ok; now we are loading full OS's up,(on obscure hardware?) bit of change of focus from your last comment. But whatever. Nobody in their working mind needs to load up a bootstraped OSX+n so unless you're a complete pirate who requires sketch, you better have a hook and an eye patch before i'll entertain your fallacy. Windows is super easy, maybe more than your mom, as we're all throwing ideas out?. Your last one is kinda too comical to make fun of.. > As an example, there is a YouTube dude who does nothing but installs Linux distorts. He is an expert VIM user even though he doesn’t code, just edits config files and plays in the terminal while looking super serious. I spend time in VSCode writing actual code. It’s less cool looking but far more productive for me to use MacOS for that. To each their own. Yeah, to each their own. But, we're talking about one article, one very specific article, actually, we are again talking about 1 article. Not examples. But, this was fun. Moron. I'll be sure to take all your comments/nonsense with a glacier of salt. If you'd like some attention for your work, do something and share it, the OP had the balls to do write something and accept my criticism, where is yours ? You're a bit worse than that little shit i take after I've taken a shit.. The inconvenience.

bdcravens 7y ago

According to the article, they found Chrome OS extremely lacking, and it seems that tablet mode on a PC was a need, and something that standard "tabletable" PCs fell short when running a usual distro. Apparently Surface PCs with WSL hit the sweet spot for them. This makes sense: I think a common attitude is that the CLI for Linux is top-notch, whereas the UI and its shortcomings is something you learn to live with. Making Windows the "front end" for Linux seems like a good solution depending on your needs.

eknkc 7y ago

I tried using Linux a couple of times on laptops. Multiple distros and devices. Power management is a disaster. I want to close the lid and not think about the computer sleeping. Nope. Trackpad drivers are beyond help. High resolution screen support is still weird. List goes on. Anyway, WSL allows using a sane desktop environment and the great Linux kernel together. I think it is exciting as it might finally be the year of desktop linux when the desktop is actually Windows.

vbezhenar 7y ago

Modern WSL is more like VM. Actually it could make sense, if laptop support for Linux is poor, just run Windows and run Linux inside. At least you'll have properly supported drivers.