I spent a year on Linux and forgot to miss Windows : technology

[–] yesman@lemmy.world 115 points 1 week ago (8 children)

Linux can be intimidating. And there is going to be a learning curve. Especially if you're the kind of windows user who's familiar with gpedit and has custom .bat files.

But what get's left out is the joy and satisfaction that comes with learning how to Linux. I just re-installed my OS a week ago, and I was able to recognize and resolve dependency and permissions issues without having to look anything up. I also finally learned and started using rsync for backups over SSH/SAMBA. I know it's not much, but it made me feel like a real hackerman.

The only thing I learned in my last few years of Windows was how to disable features that annoyed me.

[–] GhostlyPixel@lemmy.world 53 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

I would think someone who is taking advantage of bat files would feel right at home with shell scripts in Linux. In my experience, shell was much easier to pick up than batch

Batch is probably the same, but what always made me laugh about shell scripts is you could ask a bunch of people how to do something, and they’d all have a different way, it’s like there’s always a new tool to learn and try to fit into your workflow if you want, I love it

[–] Pika@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 week ago

I think I agree with this. I believe that if you are heavily into group policy or a centralized registry it would be a harder conversion. But you can even "hack" bat files to work for both Linux and Windows depending on what launches it. I had to do that with a testing bot that I sometimes ran on windows, sometimes ran on Linux. It involves abusing the label system on bat (which translates to a command true which accepts no arguments on sh). Granted you are still writing both files but, using this method you can have the windows version of it on the same page as the bash version so you can go line by line instead of having a second file open

[–] umbrella@lemmy.ml 17 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

i was that person. i had my own custom windows isos to remove the bloatware.

its frustrating as fuck at first because linux does some things completely differently, in a way that does look weird as hell for power-windows people. i banged my head at it for a couple of years before i had that level of comfort again.

but once you get the hang of it oh boy. it's a blast and you ask yourself why you didn't do this sooner. it truly changed computers for me and renewed my love for them, who would have thought computers can be so awesome when they aren't enshittified.

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[–] Nalivai@lemmy.world 97 points 1 week ago (8 children)

Linux isn’t especially complicated on a daily basis, but you have to be willing to solve your own problems

Who was solving your problems before then?

[–] Pika@sh.itjust.works 46 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

To give the author credit, ignoring the other flaws with windows, most things "just worked" and generally either didn't have an issue or if it did, fixed it's own issues. I didn't really have to resolve any issues or anything. Heck it even fixed itself if it failed to update, rolling back the changes and alerting the user next boot (which I usually just ignored and let fix itself which it generally did after a few days/tries! lol)

My current rig had Windows as the primary OS from 2016 to about 2024, during that time I don't recall any times I had to actually look up any issues unless I personally created the problem. I think the most extensive issue I had was my 5700xt crashing under high load but that wasn't something I could fix anyway as it was a driver issue, or when i made the entire system unbootable cause I messed up making a recovery partition

When I swapped back to Linux (Linux Mint at first, then Linux Mint DE, then Debian 12, now Debian 13), I had multiple hurdles from my headset not functioning, to my video card not being supported, no login screen(this surprised me as I had thought Debian was supposed to be stable), etc, these issues didn't fix themselves, I had to fix them. Granted some were easier to fix (like the no login screen was a super simple edit to a config file), but it wasn't something I had to deal with on windows.

Linux isn't going to hold your hand like Windows does with issues. So yea you need to resolve your own issues, Linux isn't going to do it for you, the most it will do is post a command in the log saying "issue X expected, run this command to fix"

[–] innermachine@lemmy.world 25 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (7 children)

Running windows is like playing with an action figure. You take it out of the box and it does what it's supposed to. Linux I consider more like a Lego set. Sure you have to put some stuff together before you really play with it, but it's YOUR creation by the time your done with it and you can modify to suit your use case. If you have no interest in tinkering with ur OS windows or Mac is just a better option, if you want to tailor your experience how you'd like Linux is the way. I run W11 on my gaming PC because I don't have time to mess with it and experiment anymore. I have played with so many Linux distros but never had one work flawless out of the gate, and always reserved it for my secondary fuck around rigs because if I wanted to fuck around I could but I do want something that i can press the power button and evrything works fine without use of my brain after working a 13 hour day where i might get lucky to play for 40 mins lol. My fuck around time these days is totally sapped by project vehicles and house issues the last think I wanna do is play around in terminal when I have 10k other more important things to do :c

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[–] cecilkorik@piefed.ca 11 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

This is a common misconception I think. "Stable" from a development point of view (which is what Debian is) is not the same as "Stable" from a user point of view. It can be, as long as no other variables are changing. But a typical desktop user IS a variable, and they change other variables all the time. "Stable" makes sense on a server, where the server has a defined role and a specific purpose that basically never changes. It's "stable" and if the OS is also "stable" that gives you assurance that nothing is going to break unexpectedly... ONCE you have it tested and set up properly to be stable in the first place.

But installing on a fresh system where you've never run this OS before is the antithesis of stable. You are initially in an "experimental" state, and you may need the latest updates and patches to even be compatible with the hardware you're running. Then you're going to use this system daily, downloading stuff, installing new apps and tools regularly, changing configurations when you feel like it. None of this is stable. And that's fine, it's not wrong, it's just the reality of being a user with a desktop system. It's not stable, it's not supposed to be. It's your daily driver.

To paraphrase George Carlin, a bad driver, driving a safe car doesn't really make you safe, at all. First, learn to drive THEN get your safe car. A stable distribution like Debian is for people who already know how to find all the compatible-by-default hardware and do the configuration necessary to make things safe and stable and using Debian assures them that once they have got it into that state, Debian isn't going to undo their work and make unexpected changes.

For users, especially on the desktop, you often want bleeding edge latest updates to fix these kind of compatibility issues as soon as they're identified, even without absolutely rigorous testing and validation that it won't mess up someone's "stable" configuration. You really do want the opposite of "stable" development, in order to make your own system more stable as quickly and reliably as possible in the circumstances. It will never be as stable as Debian running on a server, but that's normal, and expected. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Debian is a good OS, but as a desktop user, on your main system, it might be counterproductive. For what it's worth, I run PikaOS, which is a gaming-focused distro derived from Debian (Debian's stable foundation is a huge asset for people building distros on top of it) but provides prompt access to all the latest updates and patches needed for gaming and includes configurations and drivers for supporting the latest consumer level hardware and all the common tools and things that power users want, that are becoming popular day by day. This is the opposite of "stable development" but it's perfect for a desktop system in my opinion and they do a great job.

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[–] FauxLiving@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago

Who was solving your problems before then?

Every tech company in existence, in exchange for all of your privacy and now subscription fee.

For the low low price of all of your money and privacy you can avoid having to figure out how to backup your own files and have a team of developers ensuring that any kind of difficulty that you have will be fixed before you even realize it was a problem.

Once it is ensured that you will never develop those skills you are completely dependent on their services and they can keep jacking up the price.

Hate Netflix's price increase, or password sharing restrictions? Too bad you spent 8 years not learning how to setup streaming media that you control. Hate listening to ads in order to listen to music? Well, it looks like Spotify doing everything for you has paid off for them.

Everyone has traded their privacy for convenience, if you want your privacy back then you have to give back the convenience and learn to do things for yourselves.

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[–] DivineDev@piefed.social 63 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The trick is to learn to absolutely despise Windows before doing the switch, then everytime something breaks on Linux you reminisce about the olden days and decide that typing two or three commands in the terminal isn't so bad afterall.

[–] Skullgrid@lemmy.world 13 points 1 week ago (3 children)

The trick is to

dump your personal files into a seperate, non OS hard drive so that if shit hits the bricks, you have a parachute.

Ask me how I know.

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[–] NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip 44 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (18 children)

My first night on Linux was rough. Getting all my apps installed and set up was exhausting, especially because I had no experience using the command line. For those who haven’t stared into the dark void of a Linux terminal before, it’s where most system management happens — installing apps, running updates, and the like. It’s an unavoidable part of the Linux experience

Bullshit. And fuck you for ~~propagating~~ perpetuating this notion, yet again.

Edit: fixed to the correct word.

[–] LadyAutumn@lemmy.blahaj.zone 14 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You dont have to. But honestly its worth the time to get over the fear of the terminal. Understanding how they work and being comfortable using them has many advantages. So many things do not require a bloated GUI application. Like again its not necessary but its a bandaid that I think is worth it to rip off.

[–] NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip 25 points 1 week ago (4 children)

I really take issue with the author suggesting that you need to. You do not need to, and it is a myth that needs to go away. Particularly when they said it was "exhausting" installing applications. Linux is miles ahead on that front: you look through a list of what you like, or search for them, and click on the ones you want.

Also for system management, there is no need for the terminal either and the author says "It’s an unavoidable part of the Linux experience". That one in particular really doesn't sit well with me.

Now can you? Yes. Should you? Also yes, because it is the easiest way to convey and execute an idea. But you do not have to.

And they fail to mention that windows does this too, for almost every task for system maintenance is done this way: press run+r, now type "whatever -command".

Anyways a moderately mainstream article and they are going to scare people away over something they did not need to do. Which after a year you would think they would have figured that out.

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[–] inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

Oh for fucks sake, so much neckbeard energy here dismissing this guys personal experience.

When you're a new user and don't know what the hell the native app store application is, which doesn't have all the programs a person would want to use and install there, and when a new user goes to find their old windows apps that have Linux install instructions, what's the first thing that they have there? Guess. It's always find your flavor of Linux and the first steps shown are always terminal commands with sudo apt get or sudo dnf.

That's everyone first time with Linux until they learn more about it so get off your high horse and condescending gatekeeping attitude.

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[–] HertzDentalBar@lemmy.blahaj.zone 41 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Step one: download bazzite Step two: install Step three: ????? Step four: Fuck windows

[–] some_kind_of_guy@lemmy.world 37 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I would caution against fucking Windows - you'll likely end up with a nasty virus

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[–] vikingtons@lemmy.world 33 points 1 week ago (1 children)

archive link

https://archive.is/N4thi

[–] Arcane2077@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 week ago (10 children)

Anyone else facing captcha loops whenever they try to view an archive.is link? Haven’t been able to read subscriber only articles for months now

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[–] psoul@lemmy.world 30 points 1 week ago (17 children)

Waiting patiently for commercial software to be ported to Linux:

creative suites, I think Canva is working on Affinity for Linux but they want to release their iPad version first. Wine is working right now but there are a few things I’m getting tired of (navigating folders and trying to print). I know, Gimp, Inkscape and Krita.
3D modeling software for engineers, like solidworks or NX. I’m trying Blender add-ons for CAD but it’s not as capable. Don’t you dare suggest FreeCAD.
Music production software, esp. Ableton.

[–] YoSoySnekBoi@kbin.earth 16 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Music production software, esp. Ableton.

For what it's worth, REAPER works great on Linux. Ik it doesn't fill quite the same niche as Ableton but it is very capable, especially paired with yabridge for using VSTs via WINE.

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[–] MimicJar@lemmy.world 30 points 1 week ago (1 children)

In contrast, Linux won’t stop you if you try to use a command that deletes every file on your PC (“sudo rm -rf /”).

Actually AFAIK it will stop that specific command nowadays. I don't have a VM handy to test, but without the "--no-preserve-root" flag it should give an error.

(Don't actually run that command on a machine you care about, I'm only 80% confident.)

[–] 1995ToyotaCorolla@lemmy.world 50 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

Nope, it absolutely won't let you

[–] textik@sh.itjust.works 35 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Goddamn this mf really did hold the gun up to his own head and pulled the trigger just to prove it would go click.

[–] Cybersteel@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Maybe he did it in a vm

[–] 1995ToyotaCorolla@lemmy.world 29 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Nope, I'm on bare metal :)

[–] PlutoniumAcid@lemmy.world 20 points 1 week ago

You are ice cold metal, my friend 🤘

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[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 20 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yeah, the Linux community has done a shitload of work to bring Linux up to as good as windows (in the technical sense) and better than windows (regarding the often hostile user experience).

Microsoft is now helping with the marketing by making the windows experience even worse, driving more people to "take the plunge" only for them to realize there isn't a place where the floor suddenly drops away and you're left helpless, and that that actually is a better description for using windows outside of the rails MS wants.

If you use an AMD gpu, there's actually fewer steps to go from empty disk to playing a game, assuming that game isn't trying to do things with the kernel or is one of the rare games that aren't compatible for reasons other than anti-cheat (I've seen one game like that so far, forget the name of it but a logistics game that needed some dotnet library or something and I ended up giving up and refunding it rather than troubleshooting it until it worked, though others on protondb did say they got it working).

The days where windows gives an easier or better experience are gone, even ignoring all the next level enshitification of win 11. I've been on Linux for about a year now but wish I had switched sooner.

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[–] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 17 points 1 week ago (17 children)

The Linux/Mac combo covers just about every computing requirement, even for corporate users. You do not need Windows unless you play competitive online multiplayer games.

Me:

Mac -

Music production software
Adobe software
Some corporate VPNs and VDI access required by some clients
Corporate MS software required by some clients

Linux -

Everything else

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 31 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

You do not need Windows unless you play CERTAIN competitive online multiplayer games.

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[–] Atherel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I had crashes on Linux because of defective hardware but first thought it was because of software/config/driver issues. I reinstalled the OS, problem persisted. I installed two other completely different distros, problem still there. To make sure it's not because of Linux in general, I installed Windows...

Damn the installation of Windows (newest image) with updates and only the basic drivers for GPU and mainboard took longer than installing three different Linux distros, and I'm not exaggerating!

Linux: Boot installer, choose to use network installation so you get the newest packages, maybe add or remove some features, choose locales, enter login credentials, files get copied, reboot when finished, done.

Windows: Boot installer, workaround to use local account, installing files, reboot, installing more files, choose locale and login credentials, answer questions about privacy, install more files, reboot, login to Windows, download updates, reboot, download more updates, reboot, open edge (optional: install other browser), visit mainboard manufacturer website, search for correct drivers, install, reboot, visit GPU website, download driver, install, reboot...

And then it's only the absolute minimum. No debloat or other software installed like office suite or steam which on Linux can selected and installed directly with the OS.

[–] Goodlucksil@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Linux isn’t especially complicated on a daily basis, but you have to be willing to solve your own problems

This is a good takeaway from the article. If you have a problem, you need to at least try to search for a solution.

Since joining The Verge in October, I’ve started using a MacBook for work

Imo that The Verge requires MacOS (or windows) for their workflow is a huge red flag for anyone who is using Linux.

[–] TachyonTele@piefed.social 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Everyone there has to use the same something. Linux isn't exactly the brand for simple easy and usable on all devices, tbf

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[–] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 13 points 1 week ago (4 children)

When the day comes that Linux runs all of my games, I will give the dual-boot the boot. :)

[–] tehn00bi@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago (6 children)

Stop playing games that won’t play on Linux.

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[–] pressanykeynow@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The only games that don't run nowadays I think are the ones that require installing kernel malware so you might reconsider playing them regardless of your OS.

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[–] oyenyaaow@lemmy.zip 12 points 1 week ago (10 children)

i miss handwriting input; both english and chinese writing. yes keyboard is faster but time spent writing isn't that wasted for me, and my posture is better when i used a drawing tablet exclusively instead of mouse and keyboard, also i've bullied windows handwriting recognition enough that it's pretty much chicken scratch input.

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[–] Pika@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I think i had to boot into my windows partition 3 times last year. twice for the battlefield beta, and once for a discord quest because I really wanted the points for something in the shop.

That's with a steam recap saying that I played 100+ games last year so I think that's a pretty solid indicator on the progression of the linux ecosystem.

[–] LogicalDrivel@sopuli.xyz 11 points 1 week ago

I switched months ago after some full screen pop up for Windows 11 took over my whole screen in the middle of me doing stuff. In a blind rage, i plugged my usb in and downloaded Pop. Did a full clean install and never looked back. There have been some hiccups, but nothing that couldn't be fixed right away.

[–] HulkSmashBurgers@reddthat.com 11 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Been using linux exclusively for personal computing since 2019 and don' miss windows either.

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[–] PKscope@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago (4 children)

Would be nice to be able to read the article. This hiding shit behind an account just guarantees I'll never read it on your site.

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[–] IzzuThug@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

A lot of misinformation and people going about things wrong in the comments.

Do y'all not do research before buying a house, buying a car, or applying to a new job?

Y'all need to go back and learn critical thinking.

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[–] oldest_meme_420@hilariouschaos.com 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I keep forgetting that I use Linux, since everything feels .. normal. I switched from Win 11 to Fedora a few months ago.

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