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Shots fired. Accurate, but in the backs of your own side. You’ll be tried for treason.

Linux, don't you mean Linus? He's Lucy's kid brother in the Charlie Brown shows..... (TBC, I'm kidding).

@mrcab55.bsky.social you guys were telling me this 20 years ago 🤣

I hate the extra work of turning off, deleting, hacking out all the useless annoyances that come with Windows, but Linux is basically the same problem from the other angle! I'd just be doing as much or MORE tedious work to achieve a regular functioning system that I'm close enough to with Windows

how can you say this

And that's why I haven't attempted the switch. Ugh

Linux is great for anyone with a bit of knowledge about tech. It's also great for those with zero interest in tech. If you have a friend who can set it up for you, it just works. (And I've done that for several people.) It's not so good for the big majority in between.

this is so powerful

poor normal people. you’re absolutely right that they won’t cope with linux. but they deserve better than anything Microsoft is prepared to give them.

In 2021 I did a 1k mile road trip in a Mustang Mach-E to show how terrible charging infrastructure is in the US for non-Teslas. The whole time I had people in comments saying “Just use this random crowdsourced app of working stations!” The point was to show what would happen if my mom bought it.

"I am acting as if I am a normal person" got a good laugh from me

SOOO annoying moving from Windows to Windows. No, I don't want extensions hidden, My bet is that "recent browsing history" means they're sending it back to MS \for advertising\ to help you save data in case of a crash.

normal people are doing the right thing with linux tbh

I wouldn’t be surprised if we’d read the same posts!

Here's a bespoke comparison of linux distros and their technical and philosophical differences so you can make an informed choice (note: some of the choices are WRONG WRONG WRONG): 1/∞

That's windows fault not our🤷🏾‍♂️ but do enjoy your new laptop!

I've always had my desktops custom built, but my tech pal retired. I should have learned how to do it from her before she did. They were fantastic machines.

Thanks! I'll keep them in mind for next time!

And for weeks and months afterwards it keeps saying "let's finish setting up your PC", mainly because you chose to use Firefox and not Edge. Disregarding Linux for now, does a new Mac do this?

The amount of pain Windows puts you through is rapidly exceeding the amount of trouble Linux does. And if you get Linux pre-installed, it’s less. Most people just need to know where their web browser is. Otherwise, get a Mac. Yes, the initial cost is more, but a cheap OEM laptop lasts half as long.

Android is Linux, and MacOS has very similar command line interactions making it basically Linux. Also these days it’s just as easy or easier to use than the bloated “mainstream” operating systems. You’re just being blissful in your ignorance and unwillingness to try something new.

😹

I used to have a sign on my desk: To err is human. To totally fuck things up you need a computer.

I switched to apple (except for my PC which I rarely use anymore anyway). I’m shocked at the difference in user experience. Canceling my Microsoft subscription and my Google Drive subscription were lowkey nightmares, as were getting things reset because everything wants to use my old phone to ID me.

one of the many reasons phones are ubiquitous but computers are not quite

Microsoft tried to solve this in 2012 with their "Signature Series" PCs. They sold PCs from other manufacturers with a fresh install of Windows and none of the extra crap. It was killed after 5 years, probably to push the Surface brand and their own extra crap. web.archive.org/web/20120429...

Y'know, I'm reminded of the many comments I've seen to the effect of "kinda wild how only one generation [Millennials] learned to use computers." But the joke doesn't mention how part of that might be that one generation (Millennials) have ruined them since.

Stop blaming the computer!! From what you've written, it works well. Your beef is with the Operating System and software. I won't say "try Linux" but I use it for the reasons you complain about. Privacy is respected, terms of use are fair, and updates fast and easy. Complaining isn't a solution.

Exactly. It kicks ass but sharing a file with somebody from a Windows environment may be an issue, depending on the software. The open source spreadsheet software is NOT totally compatible with Excel, for instance.

The penguin:

@swiftonsecurity.com secret identity exposed

I’m Linux Curious, but I don’t feel capable.

I concur, as a linux user. They don't think about the steps of making a bootable USB to install linux from and setting the computer to boot from it. Joe Average isn't going to get that done, he's going to get Windows with the computer and use it until Microsoft says it's time to buy a new one.

Has she set up the Linux os herself?

Linux is a different flavour of "tech doesn't care about you"

Well then stop whining about a problem you obviously don't want to solve. It's not healthy. You've been told the solution.

It's Linux, but it's not GNU/Linux. You can still put Android on a desktop if you like it.

excuse me sir but do you have a moment to talk about the Lord Linux Christ's heavenly computing plan for YOU?

😹 really amazing andy™️ tbh

The funniest part is they think I can learn stuff. Not gonna happen

I'm a linux user & even use it exclusively. I'm currently writing this from my Thinkpad (ifykyk) and laughing up a god damn fit, we're truly the worst.

“You should install Linux” ‘But none of my extensive and important array of VBA scripts will work anymore. My job breaks.’ “You shouldn’t have written those scripts.”

Friend of mine who works in IT is trying to pick a laptop that suits his needs and the number of times he found something close in specs and build quality but has some sort of Linux driver issues is incredible. Certainly not something for anyone who just knows how to open chrome and word.

If you’re a programmer it’s like an endless bucket of candy tho is the weird thing

The thing is...nothing...is for normal people at this point. At *best* most electronics exist to be just acceptable enough to entice them to be the product.

There was also that fun tummy-sliding game with the penguin! I think that's an important part of the Linux experience.

This is accurate. I was in the tech industry for 10 years, and now work with the public at a library. I have people come in who don't know how to tell what is a spam message, let alone mark it as spam. Throwing Linux at them is just cruel.

If you tried linux, you wouldn't experience the computer in a way that is actively harmful. It's more of a generalized passive harmful.

I use LINUX exclusively for a few things, like retro gaming and for VFX 3D rendering (Blender rendering software). Windows for general stuff.

Ed enters his fin-dom era, calling every network support tech on his subscribers list a "wet baby" and "speaker of the Devil's tongue," daring them to cancel his newsletter

So you just mock people who don't speak English?

The number of times you explained that the purpose of the exercise is to replicate the experience of a general audience, just to get specialist responses, says something about the problem of specialist thinking too

in fairness, ubuntu is a preexisting word, but i suppose considering if youre encountering it in a tech context it will probably be devoid of its context as a non-english word so it makes sense that it'd sound weird

"Stop trying to tell me about Linux!" *everyone continues to discuss Linux in excruciatingly nit-picky detail*

You should consider Linux

But it's the cure to all the stuff you're bitching about. No learning required. No customization.

Ed, what you need is a baseball bat. A baseball bat doesn't require you to sign up for any service, doesn't spy on you, doesn't actively participates in stealing your identity, doesn't burn the planet, and it can smash that laptop to pieces in a second.

Nobody has not used a computer running linux at this point, but usually just as an appliance of some sort. But as a general purpose desktop computer - I first started using Linux computers in about 1995 and I am using one this second - i agree that it's not for everybody.

Linux is great, but if you work in a business environment where everything is Windows - good luck with that.....

I *have* a Linux computer (Ubuntu 24.whatever) that really wanted to like, but my Win 11 machine is so much easier to use. So I rarely boot the Linux box. Vexing issue: I've never been able to successfully install the DisplayPort drivers. Spent at least 12 hours of my life trying, then gave up.

Surely this is the year of Mastadon on the desktop!

Are Linux Users the Vegans of Computers?

Linux powers the majority of embedded devices, so that is one of the things it's actually really good at.

Why? Linux is very flexible and aside from some specific Window apps like Adobe programs or a few games almost everything runs there and many things are even better suited to it. Plus, it's free, so cheaper for any manufacturer (which is why phones are running Linux, not Windows like in the past)

Didn't ask

But Ed this is the year it will happen! Linux on the Desktop! Or Laptop as the case may be!

C’mon folks, the results are in, we know what kind of interface people respond to! All setup and config flows should come in the form of a TikTok feed from now on.

Linus Torvalds didn't make the mascot a penguin stuffed with fish for you to call them "sickly"! 😄 Also Red Hat Linux literally stopped development in 2004

I agree! I’m on multiple social media platforms, have built computers in my past, can install any program. Ppl shouldn’t pick ONE “safe platform.”. Texh companies will defeat them all, as they have done in the past. Regulation could help, but a GOP Congress will sell us all out.

Man, this not much has changed since 3 Dead Trolls and a Baggie wrote “Every OS Sucks” ‘I'd trade it in, yeah right... for what? It's top of the line from the Compuhut. The fridge, stove and toaster, never crash on me, I should be able to get online, without a PHD.’ youtu.be/CPRvc2UMeMI?...

There’s also a fox lady.

"have gone 38 years without learning anything" is hell. I believe "normal" people learn from their pain.

OUAT when I was young and cute, I was bouncing through the halls at work and saw two dudes,one of which was wearing a Linux shirt. I said "it's Tux!" and kept walking. I heard "See, SHE knew who it was" and the most disgusted sigh from his friend. As close to installing it as I ever got.

My "Ubuntu" reply agrees with this, it would take a much better dedicated vendor, I'm just saying there's a market opening, not that it's better now!

Heck, I'm far from normal, but I bounced off of Linux pretty hard. I tried, but it just wasn't going to happen.

you just described the Linux update process, actually

sorry FOUR times in your replies, hahaha. “don’t do this please” DOES IT 4 TIMES is that antisocial twitter behaviour we’ve all come to know and hate haha

Nix: The Land Value Tax of package managers/Distros

25 yrs ago I co-taught a class for normies on how to surf the web. My co-instructor opened AOL, connected and loaded that hell portal. I then minimized the window and opened Netscape Navigator. My co-instructor was floored. "I didn't know you could do that." she said. Little has changed.

I've dual booted several laptops but on my most recent bought a System76 laptop with Linux preinstalled. Nice to open up a laptop and not have to immediately wipe the machine and hope that the hardware wasn't too new for the drivers to be caught up. Normal people don't want to compile a wifi driver.

Came here to post this

Yeah I agree. Normal people only use Windows or MacOS. Linux basically doesn't exist for most of the populace.

Linux people are the vegans of tech comment sections.

Maybe you should switch to BeOS.

If you haven’t done it by now, don’t bother.

i'm sorry Ed. bsky.app/profile/pile...

If you cared about the mascot you’d be using FreeBSD.

Normal is inadequate.

what in the world? On 90% of distributions you just click "install" on the app store

Listen I respect your wishes about Linux but the penguin is at least sometimes cute.

Fun fact: the fully guided but annoying and confusing setup flow that is making you want to rip your hair out was probably designed and implemented without a trace of irony by someone who thinks rolling your own Linux install & config is no big deal.

What's truly amusing about this thread + all these replies is that "normal people" would find a system76 laptop easier to use than a Mac or Windows PC

Those of use with a steam deck do! It's actually been a really good experience the thing just works and I can play my funny animal people cult game in my recliner.

If you want to talk in public about eternal damnation, you should expect the fundamentalists to show up with Good News™️

As someone who’s dabbled with Linux for 20 years… it’s never been a smooth experience. Something will always break and you’ll spend days looking at old message boards trying to fix shit.

Bite your tongue! Linux has Ubuntu which is a superior working environment to everything else

i didn't even insult Linux, I simply refused to learn anything about it. I truly have no issues with Linux at all.

The idea that a clean Linux install is the solution to difficult to use entry level laptops for Americans who just want to do thing like print recipes and browse Facebook is ridiculous.