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In my experience the real issue with Linux is that it’s hard to set up. Especially when you have/get an OS preinstalled with Windows, to just using Windows. And

In my experience the real issue with Linux is that it’s hard to set up. Especially when you have/get an OS preinstalled with Windows, to just using Windows. And that most applications / drivers don’t support it nearly as well. There are many many distributions. When I started Linux, I first tried Ubuntu because that was recommended to me. Ubuntu is installed with Xfce which looks and basically is clunky and outdated. Setting up WiFi was a PITA because my laptop doesn’t even have an ethernet port, and i couldn’t do much else without wifi. I had to configure some stuff via the command line because there were no settings for it, and install a new trackpad driver. Eventually I gave up Ubuntu because it was too hard to use with my trackpad. Later on I installed Debian which IMO should be recommended. But i couldn’t properly install regular Debian. After some research I had to install “nonfree” Debian from some confusing site, because my computer needs a nonfree Wifi driver (again, no Ethernet port). Setting up Wifi was an even harder PITA. At least Debian was usable and had good trackpad support once I set up. Plus I have to admit the graphics are way better than even macOS and Windows. It’s also very noticeably faster than macOS, running the same programs. But actually installing it wasn’t easy.

nyuszika7h 5y ago
> Ubuntu is installed with Xfce Ubuntu's default desktop environment is GNOME (or Unity in some earlier versions). You must be thinking of Xubuntu.
badsectoracula 5y ago
Well yeah, but i wouldn't expect a "normal user" to (re)install Windows either, so if they end up with Linux it would be because they either bought a computer with it preinstalled or someone else installed it for them.
stragies 5y ago
For the last 10+ years my Debian-install routine for devices is: - `dd` the latest Debian netinst onto some old, small on-desk USB-stick, - Insert USB-stick into target device, power on, get to boot-selection screen. - Hook up my phone via USB to target, set it to USB-tethering mode (To bypass initial (wifi-)firmware issue(s)) - NOW press ENTER in the boot-device selection screen. - Select Expert mode in the Installer Menu, this enables: - Selection of "non-free" package source - Enable backported software - Select minimal install (get the rest after Ethernet/Wifi Firmware is installed) - Reboot, still using USB-tethering - Install needed firmwares: `apt-get install firmware-<TAB><TAB>` (choose correct one, or install many/all) - (optional, but recommended on devices younger than 2 years: Install backports kernel (currently 5.14): `apt-get install linux-image-amd64/bullseye-backports` - (Optional, but needed when batadv-meshing with Openwrt master on 5.10: install kernel from debian testing (5.15.x) , with command similar to above ^bullseye^testing (after adding testing source) - run tasksel, select "Default Desktop", or whatever you were planning to install anyway That is a "detour" of less than 10 minutes.

nyuszika7h 5y ago

> Ubuntu is installed with Xfce Ubuntu's default desktop environment is GNOME (or Unity in some earlier versions). You must be thinking of Xubuntu.

badsectoracula 5y ago

Well yeah, but i wouldn't expect a "normal user" to (re)install Windows either, so if they end up with Linux it would be because they either bought a computer with it preinstalled or someone else installed it for them.

stragies 5y ago

For the last 10+ years my Debian-install routine for devices is: - `dd` the latest Debian netinst onto some old, small on-desk USB-stick, - Insert USB-stick into target device, power on, get to boot-selection screen. - Hook up my phone via USB to target, set it to USB-tethering mode (To bypass initial (wifi-)firmware issue(s)) - NOW press ENTER in the boot-device selection screen. - Select Expert mode in the Installer Menu, this enables: - Selection of "non-free" package source - Enable backported software - Select minimal install (get the rest after Ethernet/Wifi Firmware is installed) - Reboot, still using USB-tethering - Install needed firmwares: `apt-get install firmware-<TAB><TAB>` (choose correct one, or install many/all) - (optional, but recommended on devices younger than 2 years: Install backports kernel (currently 5.14): `apt-get install linux-image-amd64/bullseye-backports` - (Optional, but needed when batadv-meshing with Openwrt master on 5.10: install kernel from debian testing (5.15.x) , with command similar to above ^bullseye^testing (after adding testing source) - run tasksel, select "Default Desktop", or whatever you were planning to install anyway That is a "detour" of less than 10 minutes.