5 ms·

If someone isn't technically literate enough to install Linux, they have three options: 1. Become technically literate enough to install Linux. Distros like Fe

by creata 2y ago

If someone isn't technically literate enough to install Linux, they have three options: 1. Become technically literate enough to install Linux. Distros like Fedora are very easy to set up imo. 2. Ask someone else (relatives, local computer store, etc.) to set it up for you. 3. Continue using Windows.

999900000999 2y ago
Alright. What happens when something weird happens and you have to manually change the kernel or your hardware just isn't supported. I still wouldn't recommend Linux to most normal people. So your stuck with 3 realistic options. Mac. Chromebook. Windows. Chromebooks are actually really capable, but forget gaming or serious music creation. I've been using desktop Linux for over 15 years. It's still much more work than normal people want to do.
- Dylan16807 2y ago
  If by "change the kernel" you mean pick the backup one in the boot menu, that should almost never been needed but tech support can walk you through it. If you mean something else, you never need to do that as a normal user. Hardware just not working happens on other operating systems too, it just sucks. But normal people aren't swapping out important parts so at most some USB thingy doesn't work.
- talldayo 2y ago
  > I still wouldn't recommend Linux to most normal people. Then I think you're making things hard on yourself. I'm a NixOS user, I know I cannot get everyone to install my specific system with all the bells and whistles. But you could walk a middle-schooler through installing Ubuntu or Fedora; it's easier than setting up an email account. Both Windows and MacOS are slowly rolling down a hill of bloat, surveillance and unusability that will eventually push people onto something else. Modern GNOME is basically just an iPad with more obvious on-screen controls. With distros supporting Flatpak, it doesn't even matter if you misconfigure your base system since all your apps are sandboxed anyways. I think the success of the Steam Deck kinda proves that people don't care what your desktop is as long as you have recent Chrome/Firefox and let them sideload stuff.
  - 999900000999 2y ago
    Ubuntu with it's Telemetry and bizarre proprietary Snap store? It's not just the initial install. Eventually for almost every distro I've installed things get rough and you need to use the command line. Want to play Fortnight, well you can't. How about Roblox , might be possible but it's a full comp sci project. The only thing that will ever change this is if Valve comes out with a full laptop. The Steam Deck is the closest thing we have to a mainstream adoption of Desktop Linux. In my personal life, Linux is where I go to when I really just need to focus and get things done. Less weird background crap going. It's much easier to enter a flow state with Linux.
    - talldayo 2y ago
      > Want to play Fortnight, well you can't. How about Roblox , might be possible but it's a full comp sci project. God forbid they want to entertain themselves without using spyware.
    - minetest2048 2y ago
      > Want to play Fortnight, well you can't. How about Roblox , might be possible but it's a full comp sci project. Those two games put a code that will intentionally stop them from working if it detects them running on Linux. Justified because (at least in Fortnite case ) they can't install kernel level anticheat. > The only thing that will ever change this is if Valve comes out with a full laptop. Unfortunately Valve Laptop won't solve this either, unless if Valve goes against the spirit of Linux and lock it down
- craigds 2y ago
  I'll agree with others here and endorse Linux for use by normal people. I've switched multiple family members now and no issues (despite absolutely no technical chops whatsoever on their part) admittedly I did the installing part, but day to day use is not an issue any more. Ubuntu is hands down much more user friendly than Windows 11
lotsoweiners 2y ago
Most people don’t even know what Linux is.

by creata 2y ago

999900000999 2y ago

Alright. What happens when something weird happens and you have to manually change the kernel or your hardware just isn't supported. I still wouldn't recommend Linux to most normal people. So your stuck with 3 realistic options. Mac. Chromebook. Windows. Chromebooks are actually really capable, but forget gaming or serious music creation. I've been using desktop Linux for over 15 years. It's still much more work than normal people want to do.

Dylan16807 2y ago
If by "change the kernel" you mean pick the backup one in the boot menu, that should almost never been needed but tech support can walk you through it. If you mean something else, you never need to do that as a normal user. Hardware just not working happens on other operating systems too, it just sucks. But normal people aren't swapping out important parts so at most some USB thingy doesn't work.
talldayo 2y ago
> I still wouldn't recommend Linux to most normal people. Then I think you're making things hard on yourself. I'm a NixOS user, I know I cannot get everyone to install my specific system with all the bells and whistles. But you could walk a middle-schooler through installing Ubuntu or Fedora; it's easier than setting up an email account. Both Windows and MacOS are slowly rolling down a hill of bloat, surveillance and unusability that will eventually push people onto something else. Modern GNOME is basically just an iPad with more obvious on-screen controls. With distros supporting Flatpak, it doesn't even matter if you misconfigure your base system since all your apps are sandboxed anyways. I think the success of the Steam Deck kinda proves that people don't care what your desktop is as long as you have recent Chrome/Firefox and let them sideload stuff.
- 999900000999 2y ago
  Ubuntu with it's Telemetry and bizarre proprietary Snap store? It's not just the initial install. Eventually for almost every distro I've installed things get rough and you need to use the command line. Want to play Fortnight, well you can't. How about Roblox , might be possible but it's a full comp sci project. The only thing that will ever change this is if Valve comes out with a full laptop. The Steam Deck is the closest thing we have to a mainstream adoption of Desktop Linux. In my personal life, Linux is where I go to when I really just need to focus and get things done. Less weird background crap going. It's much easier to enter a flow state with Linux.
  - talldayo 2y ago
    > Want to play Fortnight, well you can't. How about Roblox , might be possible but it's a full comp sci project. God forbid they want to entertain themselves without using spyware.
  - minetest2048 2y ago
    > Want to play Fortnight, well you can't. How about Roblox , might be possible but it's a full comp sci project. Those two games put a code that will intentionally stop them from working if it detects them running on Linux. Justified because (at least in Fortnite case ) they can't install kernel level anticheat. > The only thing that will ever change this is if Valve comes out with a full laptop. Unfortunately Valve Laptop won't solve this either, unless if Valve goes against the spirit of Linux and lock it down
craigds 2y ago
I'll agree with others here and endorse Linux for use by normal people. I've switched multiple family members now and no issues (despite absolutely no technical chops whatsoever on their part) admittedly I did the installing part, but day to day use is not an issue any more. Ubuntu is hands down much more user friendly than Windows 11

lotsoweiners 2y ago

Most people don’t even know what Linux is.