8 ms·

The current problem with linux is apps and the desktop itself. Apps - where do I start? There are so many to choose from, yet most will never do the complete jo

The current problem with linux is apps and the desktop itself. Apps - where do I start? There are so many to choose from, yet most will never do the complete job. Most desktop environments have devolved into a sorry state in the name of 'organic UI' and mostly unusable graphics animations by the window managers. Things are becoming much easier these days though since everything is moving to the cloud and steam has arrived.

steveklabnik 13y ago
I think that more 'consumer-oriented' or maybe 'convention over configuration' distros have this kind of thing covered. I recently installed Crunchbang Linux and it already has suggested, pre-installed apps for "terminal/file manager/editor/media player/web browser/task manager/screenshot" over on the right hand side of the desktop. But yeah, the 'which app do I choose?' problem is very real.
kryten 13y ago
I disagree. The default gnome2 desktop (provided by Mate) is top notch. Outside of this there are a core of decent, consistent apps and an ancillary of total crap. This is the same with Windows and OS-X. In fact most non-core Windows and OSX apps are absolutely criminal. Sure the cloud and Steam are more convenient, but this form of convenience will be the fall of us all and convert us into consumption targets ready to be milked regularly.
- TheLegace 13y ago
  I don't know I disagree too. I know GNOME3 might not be for everyone, but I honestly feel my desktop experience is almost perfect(there are some fancy things even I would like though). When I use OSX or (shudder) Windows I feel very constrained, and feel like I have to many actions to complete to get to my objective.
taeric 13y ago
Having been away from the Windows world for so long, I'm curious just how different it actually is. Sure, there are obvious choices for business use in many fields. Even Office is a somewhat obvious choice for most places. However, as a standard consumer, it is much too expensive to "just have." And, really, finding the correct software to just "make a greeting card" or something similar is terrible. Then there is the joy of trying to find software that organizes photos and such well. Then there is printer support. I cringe when I think of trying to scan or print something in Windows, my last experiences being so terrible. Nowdays, though, in Linux this is something that really has "just worked" for a while now. So, is it really that much more rosy in the application choice of other platforms? Or is it just more visible in the company you keep?
- kryten 13y ago
  As a Windows and Linux user on a daily basis, I'll tell you that no-one bothers with Office unless they are running a business. Everyone else seems happy with ancient copies of OpenOffice that their cheap laptop came with or LibreOffice if they have to get involved in installing anything. Also, people don't organise photos with additional software now. Windows Explorer itself is pretty damn good at it to be honest and does what 99% of people will need. If they need anything else they'll probably use what came with their digital camera. I use ViewNX2 which came with my camera. Printing just works - plug in and go. Although to be honest I have a 8 year old Brother laser printer and send anything else away to be printed elsewhere. It's all fine everywhere. The ages of "it just works" are pretty much here. It's not the XP days any more :) Linux however does like to poke me in the eye with power management and hibernation issues. That's not been resolved ever, even though I've got a 7 year old machine!
  - taeric 13y ago
    I know my wife wanted a windows computer specifically for Excel. She did not realize it costs a good deal extra, so was delighted when I installed LibreOffice. (Other computing devices are kindles. Had a chromebook for a time.) So, there is still some desire for the basic programs. I agree that LibreOffice is more than good enough for the task, though. I don't think I could handle Explorer to support my workflow for managing photos. And it is a simple workflow. (First, copy everything over, then go through "flagging" all pictures I like, then go through flagged items and trim duplicates or ones that just aren't as good, finally basic color correction and upload somewhere for family.) I confess the shotwell program is not the best. Though I can not say what it is I don't care for on it. Glad to hear the printer situation has improved. I just remember having more success with my Linux machines on just getting something printed. To the point that it was highly frustrating that it would not just print in Windows. Sorry to hear you have power management issues. I don't think I have hit those. Though... I also do not make regular use of hibernating a computer. What is the main advantage of that?
    - kryten 13y ago
      I used hibernate regularly until I got an SSD, mainly for convenience. I boot in a few seconds now so it's a non issue.
derleth 13y ago
I guess it depends on what apps you mean. I use Emacs, Firefox, LibreOffice on occasion, and a lot of development stuff, and it all works fine for me. I also don't know what you mean by "unusual graphics animations" in terms of window managers. Window Maker has no such thing.

steveklabnik 13y ago

I think that more 'consumer-oriented' or maybe 'convention over configuration' distros have this kind of thing covered. I recently installed Crunchbang Linux and it already has suggested, pre-installed apps for "terminal/file manager/editor/media player/web browser/task manager/screenshot" over on the right hand side of the desktop. But yeah, the 'which app do I choose?' problem is very real.

kryten 13y ago

I disagree. The default gnome2 desktop (provided by Mate) is top notch. Outside of this there are a core of decent, consistent apps and an ancillary of total crap. This is the same with Windows and OS-X. In fact most non-core Windows and OSX apps are absolutely criminal. Sure the cloud and Steam are more convenient, but this form of convenience will be the fall of us all and convert us into consumption targets ready to be milked regularly.

TheLegace 13y ago
I don't know I disagree too. I know GNOME3 might not be for everyone, but I honestly feel my desktop experience is almost perfect(there are some fancy things even I would like though). When I use OSX or (shudder) Windows I feel very constrained, and feel like I have to many actions to complete to get to my objective.

taeric 13y ago

Having been away from the Windows world for so long, I'm curious just how different it actually is. Sure, there are obvious choices for business use in many fields. Even Office is a somewhat obvious choice for most places. However, as a standard consumer, it is much too expensive to "just have." And, really, finding the correct software to just "make a greeting card" or something similar is terrible. Then there is the joy of trying to find software that organizes photos and such well. Then there is printer support. I cringe when I think of trying to scan or print something in Windows, my last experiences being so terrible. Nowdays, though, in Linux this is something that really has "just worked" for a while now. So, is it really that much more rosy in the application choice of other platforms? Or is it just more visible in the company you keep?

kryten 13y ago
As a Windows and Linux user on a daily basis, I'll tell you that no-one bothers with Office unless they are running a business. Everyone else seems happy with ancient copies of OpenOffice that their cheap laptop came with or LibreOffice if they have to get involved in installing anything. Also, people don't organise photos with additional software now. Windows Explorer itself is pretty damn good at it to be honest and does what 99% of people will need. If they need anything else they'll probably use what came with their digital camera. I use ViewNX2 which came with my camera. Printing just works - plug in and go. Although to be honest I have a 8 year old Brother laser printer and send anything else away to be printed elsewhere. It's all fine everywhere. The ages of "it just works" are pretty much here. It's not the XP days any more :) Linux however does like to poke me in the eye with power management and hibernation issues. That's not been resolved ever, even though I've got a 7 year old machine!
- taeric 13y ago
  I know my wife wanted a windows computer specifically for Excel. She did not realize it costs a good deal extra, so was delighted when I installed LibreOffice. (Other computing devices are kindles. Had a chromebook for a time.) So, there is still some desire for the basic programs. I agree that LibreOffice is more than good enough for the task, though. I don't think I could handle Explorer to support my workflow for managing photos. And it is a simple workflow. (First, copy everything over, then go through "flagging" all pictures I like, then go through flagged items and trim duplicates or ones that just aren't as good, finally basic color correction and upload somewhere for family.) I confess the shotwell program is not the best. Though I can not say what it is I don't care for on it. Glad to hear the printer situation has improved. I just remember having more success with my Linux machines on just getting something printed. To the point that it was highly frustrating that it would not just print in Windows. Sorry to hear you have power management issues. I don't think I have hit those. Though... I also do not make regular use of hibernating a computer. What is the main advantage of that?
  - kryten 13y ago
    I used hibernate regularly until I got an SSD, mainly for convenience. I boot in a few seconds now so it's a non issue.

derleth 13y ago

I guess it depends on what apps you mean. I use Emacs, Firefox, LibreOffice on occasion, and a lot of development stuff, and it all works fine for me. I also don't know what you mean by "unusual graphics animations" in terms of window managers. Window Maker has no such thing.