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Why don't more people use Linux? - DHH
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this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2024
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Linux
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Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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After some encouragement, I've been making an effort to switch much of my computing over to Fedora (at least, on weekends until it's got everything I need on it).
My (Framework) laptop fully supports the OS, and even booting it up on an external SSD has been easy, and it works fast and smooth.
But, it's absolutely not as easy to settle into compared to windows.
With Windows, the only "tweaks" that a user might make is installing a different browser, but everything else will work as it should.
Power Windows users will spend more time removing bloat and ads, I won't deny that!
But on Fedora, I had to scour the internet to find out how to get a minimize and maximize button on a window (had to install another utility, then an extension...). Then I had to do the same to move things down to a dock.
Annoying, but it wasn't a huge deal. These small add-on, tweaks, and personalization options all require that you know where to look and how to actually apply these fixes. Thank god I didn't have to fuss around with device drivers.
Then, as I happily watched the Para Olympics while multitasking, my screen just went black. No warning, no way to recover it. Hitting my laptop's power button throws up a series of errors and !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "FAILED TO EXECUTE SHUTDOWN BINARY".
If this is the equivalent to a BSOD on Windows, then it would be my first BSOD in many, many years.
Now I need to figure out how to get some Windows-only software to run, if that's even possible, which adds another layer of time and aggravation.
If I were a novice computer user, I wouldn't even bother with any of this and just stick to Windows. Hell, I wouldn't even know where to begin with any of it!
But I'll see how long I can ride this out, and perhaps I'll be a full-time Linux user some day.
That's less about Fedora and Linux than it is about Gnome.
Coming from Windows to Gnome is a shitshow, honestly I think it's the main reason there isn't more Linux users. If that's your first introduction to Linux, no wonder people yell screaming for the exits. It's not an easy transition.
Using DEs like Plasma or Cinnamon is a way more welcoming way to change over. Maybe eventually you'll want try Gnome and it's opinionated workflow, but I think its a terrible way to start out an already jarring transition.
Nobara is a good distro to use Fedora and have KDE by default, with the option to change later. And it has a pile of video tweaks and fixes for gaming and editing out of the box or via the welcome screen tasks.
Well, I think my experiment might have come to an early end.
Yesterday, when I booted up fedora, I lost my wifi (like, it didn't even give me the option to use wifi). Re-booted and it worked again.
Then I decided to get a copy of Fedora with KDE Plasma loaded up. Seemed fine, started setting it up.
Let's try some Windows software through Wine (Bottles, I believe, is what the actual software was called). Program 1, installed, but won't run. Program 2, installed, but wont' run...
Then, out of nowhere: Blank screen.
After waiting several minutes, I hit the power button: FAILED FAILED FAILED messages "Failed to start plymouth-reboot.services" being the last. FFS...
I just don't understand how I can break Linux so quickly without really doing anything. My experience over the last 20 years of trying Linux has always ended the same. Are there no stable distros available? Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, Elementary, Damn Small... none of them last more than a few days/weeks before they crash and burn.
And when Linux crashes and burns, I really don't know how to fix it.
It's extremely hard to go from Windows 11, which has been absolutely rock solid. Literally no problems, no crashes, no BSOD, no compatibility issues, etc. to Linux, even though I value Linux more.
I would rather not use Windows, but I feel like I'm forced to at this point.
That's the shits. Hardware can be finicky with Linux, especially laptops.
I would try Nobara or Manjaro, both have some pretty good hardware detection and updated/non-free drivers. Fedora itself doesn't have certain things in it that aren't "free" by default.
But you might not be destined to use Linux and no shame in that. Keep trying back if you change hardware.
My laptop is a Framework and has official support for Fedora and Ubuntu. I wouldn't expect these kinds of issue, TBH.
I can probably try a few more distros, but I'm just disappointed that the experience seems to always be the same :(
Oh, man, really? You are absolutely correct, I would expect that to support either. Have you contacted them? Because it seems like that must be something faulty.
Their forum is pretty good, and there's a dedicated linux section there, too. They also have extensive support documentation.
I'm sure I can get it working to be more stable, but man, it's an effort for sure.
I'm sure by now you know about the troves of compatibility layers that exist in order to make this possible; depending on the software.
This is more of a DE issue than Linux issue, I'm assuming you went with the default Gnome but you might like KDE or Cinnamon for a more windows like experience. I personally loved both of those DEs until I made the mistake of getting comfortable with a window manager
Yes, I'll need to do a bunch of experimentation to see if I can get it working. But it's a messy solution to something that isn't even a thing on Windows.
Fair point, I'm using what Fedora came with, but I can go with something else. Better if I do that sooner, rather than later. LOL
You can actually, and I would suggest, grab a fresh Fedora install that comes with either of those DEs. If you don't wanna do that, I would suggest at least making a new user so that the gnome stuff isn't crowding your new life
I may have another external SSD I can use, so it should be easy to just install another copy with KDE or whatever on it.
Or... I may just stick with GNOME, since I'd rather keep things simple anyway. Regardless, I'm glad I have options.
I want to point out that the changes you are talking about, minimize/maximize buttons and docks, are actually big changes to the workflow of a desktop environment. How hard would it be to remove those buttons and the standard dock on windows? Harder than it is with gnome I think. Gnome isn't windows and it's used differently from windows. It shouldn't be expected to accommodate windows's workflow.
That is a fair point. I don't expect every feature to match 1:1. But minimize and maximize window seems to be a no-brainer for basic use. At least, how I use floating windows.
But... I'm glad that there are options to bring those features (and more) back if someone chooses.
I experienced that failed run shutdown binary a lot, the issue was that the OS I installed the drive on was defective. In use, the entire filesystem would become read only, the OS would freak out, and shutting down would fail with that message.
Is this only when using Linux? The drive's S.M.A.R.T status is all perfect (it's only got like 40 hours of use on it), and tests with no errors).
Maybe I can try another drive.
My drive was brand new when the issue started. I don’t think SMART showed anything wrong with it, apart maybe from the improper shutdowns count.
Not sure if it was Linux only, I never had Windows installed on that drive.
Ok, I think I'll grab another drive and try again over the weekend.