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I’ve been playing around with Fedora KDE more lately and it’s made me realize how vertically integrated Windows is. Like there’s all these edge cases (too many

I’ve been playing around with Fedora KDE more lately and it’s made me realize how vertically integrated Windows is. Like there’s all these edge cases (too many to list) that Windows has taken care of years ago, whereas on Linux you’re usually downloading some 3rd party app that feels rough when installed. Or it’s something the kernel expects a driver to implement, but Windows handles it natively in Microsoft’s code. When you think of it in a supply chain sense, Linux is one giant outsourcing operation and a whole bunch of “not my problem” project management styles.

LexiMax 1y ago
That's strange, because in my time using Fedora it was far and away the most vertically integrated Linux distro I've ever used. It had the fewest Linux-typical papercuts, it was well-documented, and most importantly required the least amount of system tinkering I've ever done on Linux, allowing me to use my operating system to actually operate my system. It wasn't as turnkey as macOS, wasn't as compatible as Windows, and wasn't as "tinker" friendly as other distros, but it _worked_. Then again, I was using the default GNOME spin, and I also try to meet OS's in the middle instead of brazenly insisting on my way or the highway. But it _is_ used as a base for RHEL, so it's not like Fedora is a typical stone soup distro either.
- samtheDamned 1y ago
  This is my experience too, I distrohopped for about 2-3 years, and then when I found fedora it just clicked. I've been using it exclusively ever since. It was my first experience with vanilla GNOME and like you I wanted to meet the OS in the middle. The stability while still having reasonably up-to-date packages is so pleasant and everything felt like it was part of a whole in a way that my prior experimentation with arch and its derivatives and the different ubuntu skins didn't fully achive.
  - dabockster 1y ago
    I "tolerated" GNOME after the GNOME 3 release, and used MATE for years before stuff started breaking on it. But KDE 6 has a nice vibe of something between Windows and Mac OS. Still really rough in a lot of spots, but you should definitely try it!
- dabockster 1y ago
  You're correct in thinking of Fedora that way - that's my take on it too. But Windows has a lot of glue and infrastructure that we all take for granted that Linux hasn't really implemented yet. Like how calling a Win32 function, in some cases, integrates functionality found in both the Windows desktop as well as backend processes - stuff that would be several lines/files long in Linux, and would likely need conditional logic for GNOME and KDE/Qt desktops. Or something that's provided by a page in a Windows Control Panel applet that you'd need to download someone's hobby app to do on Linux (emphasis on hobby app - definitely not "Enterprise" grade). You're correct in thinking of Fedora that way - that's my take on it too. But Windows has a lot of glue and infrastructure that we all take for granted that Linux hasn't really implemented yet. Like how calling a Win32 function, in some cases, integrates functionality found in both the Windows desktop as well as backend processes - stuff that would be several lines/files long in Linux, and would likely need conditional logic for GNOME and KDE/Qt desktops. Even Fedora, which is really rock solid and more "neutral" compared to other distros (lookin' at you, Ubuntu Snap Store), there's a LOT that gets left to either terminal commands or config files when compared to Windows. And even as a dev, I don't want to have to RTFM literally every time I want to change a single setting. Windows solved this 30+ years ago, and it's honestly stupid that the Linux community/field can't even seemingly comprehend this in almost 2026 now.
anal_reactor 1y ago
I've migrated to Fedora KDE recently after having used Windows since childhood. Honestly it's not that bad. I mean, it's not good either - there are lots of random bugs or strange UI decisions - but all in all, it's not bad. I wouldn't install it on my mom's machine, but any tech-savvy person can use Fedora KDE with relative comfort. As in, the rough edges are there, but you won't hurt yourself if you know how to hold it.

LexiMax 1y ago

That's strange, because in my time using Fedora it was far and away the most vertically integrated Linux distro I've ever used. It had the fewest Linux-typical papercuts, it was well-documented, and most importantly required the least amount of system tinkering I've ever done on Linux, allowing me to use my operating system to actually operate my system. It wasn't as turnkey as macOS, wasn't as compatible as Windows, and wasn't as "tinker" friendly as other distros, but it _worked_. Then again, I was using the default GNOME spin, and I also try to meet OS's in the middle instead of brazenly insisting on my way or the highway. But it _is_ used as a base for RHEL, so it's not like Fedora is a typical stone soup distro either.

samtheDamned 1y ago
This is my experience too, I distrohopped for about 2-3 years, and then when I found fedora it just clicked. I've been using it exclusively ever since. It was my first experience with vanilla GNOME and like you I wanted to meet the OS in the middle. The stability while still having reasonably up-to-date packages is so pleasant and everything felt like it was part of a whole in a way that my prior experimentation with arch and its derivatives and the different ubuntu skins didn't fully achive.
- dabockster 1y ago
  I "tolerated" GNOME after the GNOME 3 release, and used MATE for years before stuff started breaking on it. But KDE 6 has a nice vibe of something between Windows and Mac OS. Still really rough in a lot of spots, but you should definitely try it!
dabockster 1y ago
You're correct in thinking of Fedora that way - that's my take on it too. But Windows has a lot of glue and infrastructure that we all take for granted that Linux hasn't really implemented yet. Like how calling a Win32 function, in some cases, integrates functionality found in both the Windows desktop as well as backend processes - stuff that would be several lines/files long in Linux, and would likely need conditional logic for GNOME and KDE/Qt desktops. Or something that's provided by a page in a Windows Control Panel applet that you'd need to download someone's hobby app to do on Linux (emphasis on hobby app - definitely not "Enterprise" grade). You're correct in thinking of Fedora that way - that's my take on it too. But Windows has a lot of glue and infrastructure that we all take for granted that Linux hasn't really implemented yet. Like how calling a Win32 function, in some cases, integrates functionality found in both the Windows desktop as well as backend processes - stuff that would be several lines/files long in Linux, and would likely need conditional logic for GNOME and KDE/Qt desktops. Even Fedora, which is really rock solid and more "neutral" compared to other distros (lookin' at you, Ubuntu Snap Store), there's a LOT that gets left to either terminal commands or config files when compared to Windows. And even as a dev, I don't want to have to RTFM literally every time I want to change a single setting. Windows solved this 30+ years ago, and it's honestly stupid that the Linux community/field can't even seemingly comprehend this in almost 2026 now.

anal_reactor 1y ago

I've migrated to Fedora KDE recently after having used Windows since childhood. Honestly it's not that bad. I mean, it's not good either - there are lots of random bugs or strange UI decisions - but all in all, it's not bad. I wouldn't install it on my mom's machine, but any tech-savvy person can use Fedora KDE with relative comfort. As in, the rough edges are there, but you won't hurt yourself if you know how to hold it.