4 ms·
This isn't me trying to convince you to use Linux, but the listed reasons (other than LLM testing) aren't real deterrents (and there are plenty that exist for m
by deaddodo 2y ago
This isn't me trying to convince you to use Linux, but the listed reasons (other than LLM testing) aren't real deterrents (and there are plenty that exist for many people, no use pretending not):
> Acorn
GIMP (or Glimpse, if you want a more modern UI) or Krita can definitely do pretty much anything Acorn can.
> Keyboard Maestro
GNOME and KDE have been able to do this out of the box from pretty much the beginning. The OSes are still mostly terminal-first (one of the big complaints, actually), and that translates into the DEs and Applications. A keyboard automation is just a sequence of commands.
This is probably one of the few areas where Linux almost definitely beats macOS or Windows.
> OnniGraffle
There's a large swathe of diagramming tools in Linux.
> Alfred App
Yep, both KDE and Gnome are able to handle this task as well as Alfred. Like automation, this is probably an area Linux will be able to shine above macOS.
> MS Office
LibreOffice would be the common alternative.
> MS Teams
They used to have an official client. They now recommend you create a PWA, and there are some unofficial clients that do pretty much that:
https://github.com/IsmaelMartinez/teams-for-linux https://github.com/IsmaelMartinez/teams-for-linux
This seems to be the route they'll be going all around, similar to slack (web + an electron app).
> I test LLMs locally.
LLMs run fine on Linux, but you will be limited to about 16GB on the VRAM side. Though, you could technically use Asahi + Apple Silicon as the support matured if you want.
Most of these are open source applications, with cludgy UIs/warts and all; and aren't really designed by teams with UX masters, so operate oddly and require relearning. But if you were interested in making the move, they're options.
- eviks 2y ago> aren't real deterrents They are, because your listed alternatives are substandard. Just the fact you recommend incompatible LibreOffice as an MS Office alternative is enough, but then comparing KM to system defaults is also a joke. > The OSes are still mostly terminal-first And terminals are universally so bad at shortcuts that many can't even support all the modifiers keys on your keyboard
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- mistercheph 2y agoWhat kind of nightmare documents are you encountering that you actually run into MS Office / Libreoffice incompatibility?
- kimixa 2y agoAnd in turn don't also run into to incompatibility between different versions of MS office? I've had at least as many issues moving complex documents between MS word versions than moving from MS to Libreoffice.
- j16sdiz 2y ago> > Acorn > GIMP (or Glimpse, if you want a more modern UI) or Krita can definitely do pretty much anything Acorn can. You will be surprised to know how some professional treat their tools. Some illustrator love their software just like some mathematician love their chalk. Many woodworker make their own tools to make them feel just right. > > MS Office > LibreOffice would be the common alternative. If you export them as PDF, maybe. If you need to exchange editable file with others, every small layout different hurts. You won't want your tables paginate differently from others.
- deaddodo 2y agoWhich is why I specifically stated that the feature set matches and not that they're drop in replacements. Then gave a giant disclaimer about open source software in general at the bottom. I'm not evangelizing, I'm stating that the listed software/workloads are perfectly amenable to Linux if you wanted to make the move/relearn those softwares.
- tsimionescu 2y agoAlmost none of the software you mentioned is a realistic, fully featured, profesionally-usbale alternative to the software that doesn't run on Linux. So, overall, Linux can't be an alternative to the Mac and/or Windows for anyone who relies on these tools.
- pseingatl 2y agoYou might want to try the German program Softmaker. It's not free--though I think there's a free version--and it's designed to be a drop-in replacement for Microsoft Office. There is a Linux version as well.
- sinfulprogeny 2y ago> GIMP (or Glimpse, if you want a more modern UI) or Krita can definitely do pretty much anything Acorn can. I'm fairly certain that anyone who recommends GIMP hasn't really used GIMP.
- deaddodo 2y agoI didn't recommend it, I offered three options (one specifically created to fix the exact issue you're probably complaining about - GIMP's horrendous UI)
- jb1991 2y agoThe problem is, you imply the alternative solutions are somehow just a stand-in replacement, which is not true, and not just with Gimp in the programs you listed. Software matters, and when software you need is not available, it is a significant compromise.
- richrichardsson 2y agoUp until the last paragraph, where he freely admits all the options are basically shit in comparison. The idea that having to relearn all software and deal with idiosyncrasies for a professional is laughable.
- janalsncm 2y agoI have only ever used GIMP and I will admit that the UI looks like hell. I also rarely do anything very advanced in it anymore so I can’t say whether it has feature parity with PS.
- ballooney 2y agoI can, it doesn’t.
- 4gotunameagain 2y agoI have been using gimp for almost a decade now. Granted, I am not a professional in that field, but why would I not recommend it ? It does everything I want to, and more.
- tcoff91 2y agoKeyboard Maestro is a lot more powerful than what you're thinking of. A sequence of shell commands bound to hotkeys is in no way an adequate replacement.
- rane 2y agoDo you have any examples of use cases Keyboard Maestro is great for?
- tcoff91 2y agoWhen building macros you can leverage OCR and image recognition so it can know how to find elements on the screen that you need it to click. I have barely scratched the surface of what it can do I am sure there is lots more.
- anthk 2y agoXdotool/xdo, xsel and so on.
- jinnko 2y agoA bit of nostalgia. Switch to whatever you want https://youtu.be/9GO3mccvTCs https://youtu.be/9GO3mccvTCs
- OrderlyTiamat 2y ago> > I test LLMs locally. > LLMs run fine on Linux, but you will be limited to about 16GB on the VRAM side. That'll probably be a dealbreaker. > Acorn GIMP Don't get me wrong, I am still gratefully using GIMP, it's a fine tool for what it is and I am happy with it. But from a "meet people where they are" perspective, it's absurd to tell someone who uses tools like Photoshop that GIMP is a viable alternative as it is right now.
- not_a_shill 2y agoLibreoffice isn't the alternative, office on web is. And even that is still gimped compared to Windows Excel. (Which is the true killer app for professional use of Windows in general)
- pseingatl 2y agoTry Softmaker Office for Linux.
- RandomThoughts3 2y agoYes, I find it fun to use office as a Mac differentiator when the Mac version is so inferior to the Windows one. At least, office365 works fine on Linux using Crossover. It’s the same weirdness with people recommending Gimp for Acorn when Linux has great photo manipulation with Darktable and good digital painting with Krita. And I say that as someone who quite like MacOs even if it’s getting worse with each version.
- nunez 2y agoOffice on the Web is a cruel joke. It theoretically does what you want it to do, but more often than not, it will do it extremely slowly while vaporizing your RAM. I can't imagine it being better on Linux.