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I used a Linux desktop from 1996 to 2014. For much of that time, it was so much work, it was essentially a hobby. Around the time Ubuntu became popular and GPU

by smt88 4y ago

I used a Linux desktop from 1996 to 2014. For much of that time, it was so much work, it was essentially a hobby. Around the time Ubuntu became popular and GPU drivers got better, it became more manageable. I eventually switched full-time to Windows anyway. Why? Because any daily friction is unnecessary. Windows just works, and every piece of software I need to use works with it. Linux is better than it was, but my Linux machines still have random crashes, failures to boot, command-line configuration requirements... they required so much Googling that I started to lose my mind. People are barely able to use Windows at most orgs. There's no ROI for switching to Linux.

a_shovel 4y ago
There's a certain type of person who either has a very high tolerance for that kind of friction, or can't even notice it. They tend to use Linux as their main OS, own 3D printers, use obscure brands of phones, and post on Hacker News. They're an important part of the software ecosystem, but they seem to have a hard time understanding that not everyone has as high a tolerance for friction as they do.
- smt88 4y ago
  > but they seem to have a hard time understanding that not everyone has as high a tolerance for friction as they do This is the irony to me. Linux users are probably the people in their circle of family/friends that are asked to troubleshoot extremely basic problems with desktop software all the time. They should know that if laypeople are already asking basic questions (that they could easily Google) about Windows, an operating system they've used for 20-30 years, they're going to be dead in the water if they're pushed onto Linux.
  - simonblack 4y ago
    Linux users are probably the people in their circle of family/friends that are asked to troubleshoot extremely basic problems with desktop software all the time. "Sorry. I don't use Windows. I don't know anything about it. Ask the guys down at the store."

by smt88 4y ago

a_shovel 4y ago

There's a certain type of person who either has a very high tolerance for that kind of friction, or can't even notice it. They tend to use Linux as their main OS, own 3D printers, use obscure brands of phones, and post on Hacker News. They're an important part of the software ecosystem, but they seem to have a hard time understanding that not everyone has as high a tolerance for friction as they do.

smt88 4y ago
> but they seem to have a hard time understanding that not everyone has as high a tolerance for friction as they do This is the irony to me. Linux users are probably the people in their circle of family/friends that are asked to troubleshoot extremely basic problems with desktop software all the time. They should know that if laypeople are already asking basic questions (that they could easily Google) about Windows, an operating system they've used for 20-30 years, they're going to be dead in the water if they're pushed onto Linux.
- simonblack 4y ago
  Linux users are probably the people in their circle of family/friends that are asked to troubleshoot extremely basic problems with desktop software all the time. "Sorry. I don't use Windows. I don't know anything about it. Ask the guys down at the store."