3 ms·

I think the problem is just that almost all prebuilt machines come with Windows and nobody ever gets exposed to alternatives. And most people just dont care.

bobthepanda 5y ago
A lot of people are fine with Windows. When you ask people to change something that they are fine with and used to, * they think you’re making them do more work by relearning everything * they’re quick to notice faults, and they’ll jump ship just as quickly as well
- akselmo 5y ago
  If the machine had linux with windows skin on, most people wouldnt notice since everything is done through web browser nowadays
  - AnIdiotOnTheNet 5y ago
    Then Desktop Linux is a useless concept anyways, KDE and GNOME devs can all go home because Chromebooks are already everything 'most people' need or want, right? Perhaps attitudes like this towards potential users are another reason Linux Desktop still doesn't have much buy in.
    - akselmo 5y ago
      What attitude am i conveying? I really dont know, english is not my first language. I just dont think that most people just care what the thing is running as long as it does the job. Computers are an appliance to many, just like a toaster. If the functionality is close to what theyre used to (windows or mac) then there shouldnt be big adaptility problems until they want to go deeper into the device than web browsing.
      - bobthepanda 5y ago
        no, people care about having to change things. the average person on HN is not representative of the general population. The keyword in your statement is "close" but normal people who use the computer as an appliance have extremely low tolerance for "close."
        akselmo 5y ago
        Youre right. But then again i dont believe many would care if they can get their basic things done. I also understand there are people who just are not willing to learn new things. I hope i dont sound like im trying to push linux to people. I want people to have choice of many instead of choice of two when they go buy a new PC. And maybe some would be curious enough to try something new.
  - ironmagma 5y ago
    You must have never tried this with a friend. I recommend it, you will be enlightened.
    - akselmo 5y ago
      I tried it with my fiancee, although not with windows skin. Just default plasma. She opened internet browser and used it just fine. Of course she cant move to linux due to adobe software, not that i need her to do anything like that. Anyone can use what they want, my point was that most people dont even know theres other choices than windows and mac. Also ive been using windows all of my life, recently switched to kubuntu because i got tired of the updates. Didnt take me long to learn to use the pc.
      - ironmagma 5y ago
        > Of course she cant move to linux due to adobe software In other words, she noticed.
        akselmo 5y ago
        Yup! The moment you start installing proprietary software you start noticing it. I had the same experience. I thought it was obvious so i didnt mention it. But most people, from what ive seen, only use the internet browser and maybe some built in apps. Keep it there and the lines between OS' start to blur. Edit: to add, this is usually why i tell anyone interested to use linux is to try the tools available first, then if you get used to them, make the switch. Luckily i had already used same tools on windows (gimp, krita, blender) that also work on linux.
        ironmagma 5y ago
        I find this claim is overstated almost all the time. People are sensitive to the small details even if they can’t explain why. Something as simple as the downloads being moved to a different place is enough to throw my parents off. And that isn’t even to get started about form filling, browser extensions, or browser window management. The chrome matters more than software people think.
ironmagma 5y ago
I've never encountered an issue on Windows related to two library versions conflicting. That's something that happens all the time on Linux. As a Windows user, you don't even have to know what libraries are. As a user of Linux you need to be aware of a ton of different shared libraries and research various compatibility workarounds to keep using them with the growing pile of software you've installed. This isn't something the typical desktop user is up for.
- akselmo 5y ago
  Cant say i have encountered this yet. But flatpak aims to solve this problem.

bobthepanda 5y ago

A lot of people are fine with Windows. When you ask people to change something that they are fine with and used to, * they think you’re making them do more work by relearning everything * they’re quick to notice faults, and they’ll jump ship just as quickly as well

akselmo 5y ago
If the machine had linux with windows skin on, most people wouldnt notice since everything is done through web browser nowadays
- AnIdiotOnTheNet 5y ago
  Then Desktop Linux is a useless concept anyways, KDE and GNOME devs can all go home because Chromebooks are already everything 'most people' need or want, right? Perhaps attitudes like this towards potential users are another reason Linux Desktop still doesn't have much buy in.
  - akselmo 5y ago
    What attitude am i conveying? I really dont know, english is not my first language. I just dont think that most people just care what the thing is running as long as it does the job. Computers are an appliance to many, just like a toaster. If the functionality is close to what theyre used to (windows or mac) then there shouldnt be big adaptility problems until they want to go deeper into the device than web browsing.
    - bobthepanda 5y ago
      no, people care about having to change things. the average person on HN is not representative of the general population. The keyword in your statement is "close" but normal people who use the computer as an appliance have extremely low tolerance for "close."
      - akselmo 5y ago
        Youre right. But then again i dont believe many would care if they can get their basic things done. I also understand there are people who just are not willing to learn new things. I hope i dont sound like im trying to push linux to people. I want people to have choice of many instead of choice of two when they go buy a new PC. And maybe some would be curious enough to try something new.
- ironmagma 5y ago
  You must have never tried this with a friend. I recommend it, you will be enlightened.
  - akselmo 5y ago
    I tried it with my fiancee, although not with windows skin. Just default plasma. She opened internet browser and used it just fine. Of course she cant move to linux due to adobe software, not that i need her to do anything like that. Anyone can use what they want, my point was that most people dont even know theres other choices than windows and mac. Also ive been using windows all of my life, recently switched to kubuntu because i got tired of the updates. Didnt take me long to learn to use the pc.
    - ironmagma 5y ago
      > Of course she cant move to linux due to adobe software In other words, she noticed.
      - akselmo 5y ago
        Yup! The moment you start installing proprietary software you start noticing it. I had the same experience. I thought it was obvious so i didnt mention it. But most people, from what ive seen, only use the internet browser and maybe some built in apps. Keep it there and the lines between OS' start to blur. Edit: to add, this is usually why i tell anyone interested to use linux is to try the tools available first, then if you get used to them, make the switch. Luckily i had already used same tools on windows (gimp, krita, blender) that also work on linux.
        ironmagma 5y ago
        I find this claim is overstated almost all the time. People are sensitive to the small details even if they can’t explain why. Something as simple as the downloads being moved to a different place is enough to throw my parents off. And that isn’t even to get started about form filling, browser extensions, or browser window management. The chrome matters more than software people think.

ironmagma 5y ago

I've never encountered an issue on Windows related to two library versions conflicting. That's something that happens all the time on Linux. As a Windows user, you don't even have to know what libraries are. As a user of Linux you need to be aware of a ton of different shared libraries and research various compatibility workarounds to keep using them with the growing pile of software you've installed. This isn't something the typical desktop user is up for.

akselmo 5y ago
Cant say i have encountered this yet. But flatpak aims to solve this problem.