TL;DR: see title
Linux has many issues, but in comparison with other operating systems the only one that actually makes it a worse option is certain apps and games not working. Sure some distros suck, but you can just use the good ones. Sure drivers can be a pain, but plenty of distros do them for you. Yeah you’ll have some issues with Bluetooth or wifi or something like that sometimes, but no more often than on windows (mac too probably but I’ve never used Mac so idk).
Maybe you hate how windows is set up, maybe you hate how some de is set up, just use one that you like. Dont like gnome? Well despite many distros using it, it is not the only option. Try kde, try cinnamon (I hate it but it would be unfair to ignore it), try cosmic when it comes out or popshell in the meantime. Don’t want to lose your current os and be stuck here? Use a VM or dual boot.
All that works fine, it just takes a second to set things up how you want them to be and then you can just use your computer. With a “beginner” distro (I’d recommend pop os, tuxedo os, or mint) cli should be optional in everything you’d actually be doing. The only thing that is a genuine problem with Linux as a whole is that a lot of apps and games just aren’t compatible, be they a less popular app who’s users rely on it or a really popular game that refuses to enable Linux compatibility in EAC.
I know that projects like wine (and proton) are around and are making a lot of progress here, but this problem still remains the only one that an average user with a distro intended for normal use will be expected to deal with. What do y’all think?
Edit: fixed(?) spacing, hopefully it’s easier to read now
Edit 2: wanted to add that as far as I’ve seen, most of the time people have like one app that doesn’t work or doesn’t work properly while everything else works fine, and they are either unable or unwilling to switch.
I tried to break it into paragraphs but it doesn’t seem to have posted like that, sorry for the wall of text.
The only thing that is a genuine problem with Linux as a whole is that a lot of apps and games just aren’t compatible, be they a less popular app who’s users rely on it or a really popular game that refuses to enable Linux compatibility in EAC.
To that I say: then pick a different program or way of doing things. I used to use a Mac over 15 years ago, and part of that experience is not being able to use certain programs that you can use on Windows and finding alternatives. Many companies have multiple versions, nowadays, but that wasn’t always the case, and it’s not uncommon to find programs that only work on one OS.
If your favorite game doesn’t work on Linux, there’s ways to solve that problem (e.g. dual boot, GPU passthrough to a VM), but 80% of games in ProtonDB are currently gold-rated or better without those measures. Many people miss the functionality of certain programs, so people create ones that do similar or even better things (Remmina is so much better than Remote Desktop Connection), or they can utilize web versions.
I get that there are occasions where you just can’t make something work, but I would say that for the majority of users, their “unsolvable needs” stem from credulity where they can’t imagine any other way than using “Program.exe.”
It’s up to us to help new users find those new ways to do things.
Slightly off topic but after years of using CorelDraw it’s so hard to pick up inkscape.
I use Linux on my home laptop now and try to use FOSS software on work laptop (it’s still Windows 10), and I try to stay with Inkscape as much as possible, but some things are just muscle memory at this point and some workflows can’t be replicated with Inkscape.
It’s not hard to change software, it’s hard to chage habits and workflows.
Other than that, Inkscape is great software, only missing a few features I wish were there, and having many more features that CorelDraw doesn’t have.
Idk I don’t miss anything. We got good software too, some of which is Linux specific or simply works best there. Get a PS5 and call it a day
Linux is the best it’s ever been but it’s still too complicated for normal people. Most people don’t even know what a VM or a driver is. I would disagree that drivers are no more of an issue on Linux than Windows. You can plug upwards of 99% of devices into Windows and they’ll just work. Barely and vendors provide support for Linux, not that that’s the fault of anyone really. I can understand why vendors don’t want to commit resources and Linux can’t have built in support for everything.
I haven’t had any device that wasn’t recognized by Linux in 15 years. Do you have examples of hardware that “normal people” use and does not work?
The only thing I really miss is CAD software for working with BREPs, I wish there was Rhino for Linux. However, I can do like 99% of projects in OpenSCAD.
FreeCAD is great but has some certain limitations you may run into with more complicated projects.
Onshape is amazing given you can use it for free but… It has other types of limitations regarding ownership and licencing (for free version).
