Yeah. That's not even half the original series.

When I switched to Linux a little over 4 years ago I was facing a similar issue, many of my daily tools were unavailable and I felt a little lost, however it's not all doom and gloom, in time I found many similar replacements and in certain cases even better than what I was using on Windows.

If you need help locating a specific type of software feel free to list them. :-)

I was going to say, it's not often you see a distro behind debian stable in package versions (on stretch, it's 1.8 without backports).

Well, that's what Mint basically is, since it's built on Ubuntu's LTS. I wonder what version of Xscreensaver and SImplescan they're stuck with?

Wow someone has a very high opinion of themselves. Sorry for the late reply but I’ve been busy. So while you’ve been in deep thought contemplating the many mysteries of the universes and analysing my “personal” reasons for disliking piece of software and it’s devout community of know it alls. Did it ever occur to you that I simply got tired of the long winded arguments and wanted a more streamlined conversation? You didn’t really get deep into my arguments either. You dismissed them and resorted to strawman statements like “you hate open source” then accused me of doing it. I don’t hate open source I hate competence and entitlement. If someone feels like sharing their source code with you, great. If not, too bad. You’re not entitled to it. So those are just some of the reasons why I might be a little annoyed at you.

I could continue wasting my time defending my own arguments, but this isn't about me. It's about you, and you've made that much very clear. I've pointed out that the Linux community (let's just leave FOSS alone for now) is quite OK with closed source programs: as evidence by the number of closed source linux programs, the fact linux is under lesser GNU GPL, etc. Your arguments aren't even consistent with the stance you're taking here, as you were largely focused on how the FOSS community is incompetent, even suggesting that a stable OS can't even be built buy it, which isn't even the case. When i point all this out, apparently my posts are too long for you (which is not a counter argument). Are you even self-aware? Considering you keep making it about yourself, it seems quite reasonable to then go ahead and analyze you, 'cause ideas just aren't sticking, so it's like talking to a yakbak or a sound board.

Maybe that's true this thread wouldn't exist without me that much is true. What is also true is that everything you've said is based on your opinion much like me. But... you care far more about my opinion then I care about yours. Not because you offended me or anything. Or even because I think you're wrong. It's simply because you're willing to make your point in short responses :P Like this one.

Unless you're the OP's alter ego, that's a bit conceited. Not everything i've said was based on opinion, and probably not even half. However, this has become too much about you. As for your opinion? I really don't care. However, what you say (your opinion is unknown to me, but it's reasonable to assume that it reflects your statements to some distant degree) is commonly said about Linux and FOSS, despite how inaccurate. I feel very much compelled to point out that it's mere propaganda with no basis in reality. Since it's just that, it really doesn't take long to start branching down the path of where it gets personal: the original arguments, which you hold before yourself, have no substance, and the only thing left behind them is yourself. So, cutting them down cut you a little in the process.

I think an remaining issue with Linux distributions, for the desktop, is that they still have a lingering "by geeks, for geeks" feel.

With Windows, assuming you have laymans' needs (for programmers and IT professionals in general, it's a different ballgame and Windows sucks for most of these uses), you'll have what you want built-in the OS or you'll fork 30$+ for some commercial offering that works well out of the box.

With Linux, you'll find an open-source tool to do what you want, but then you'll have to fiddle, either with quirks or with some extensive configuration setup that assumes you are a domain expert or with command line utilities because some features are missing from the GUI (ironically with a lot of for-Windows software, you'll hit the reverse problem where the GUI does everything you want, but its not really automatable with scripts). Now, many of the open-source tools just work like a charm out of the box, but you can't consistently count on it.

I'd say at this point, you can do ~80%-90% of what you want on the friendliest of distros using the GUI, but you'll want to complement it with the command line for the rest.

I still think Linux is the future (the open-source model doesn't necessarily makes sense for all software, but it does for an OS and system-level tools, that's why Linux has pretty much conquered the majority of use-spaces if you look beyond the desktip), but they still have some ways to go in terms of user-friendliness to fully conquer the layman (though that market is dwindling for the desktop, with smartphones, the desktop is gradually migrating toward something mostly used by gamers or professionals).

I remain optimist that they'll get there. Already, there is a world of difference between how user-friendly the Linux landscape was circa 2006 and how user-friendly it is now.

Because it's awesome and I'm not a big fan of Windows.

When asking most people why they don’t use Linux the most common answer is that they just can’t be bothered with it. I’m not sure where this geeks for geeks things is coming from.

What is this argument based on? One of the most used compilers is visual studio C++.

Furthermore most development suits such as Autodesk game engines and other assorted are made for Windows. And on top of that if you’re programmer working on a project it’s Windows that you’ll be using to test it.


So? This is a problem why?


This right here is most likely the reason no one wants to use Linux. In the world of business as well as everyday life. Consistency in your tools is very important.

If you think Debain or anything based on it can do 80% of what Windows can do then you mustn't be aware of what computers are capable of. Android which is based on Linux but doesn’t count as s distro is far more capable then anything on Distro watch but still no where near as capable as Windows; and Android shows us what Linux would be like if and when it’s potential is reached.


It really hasn’t though. This is a common case of comparing an entire kernel familay to a single desktop OS. Linux is the kernel and Ubuntu is the OS. Windows is the OS but NT is the kernel. NT is not just used in Windows. It it is used and customised for specialised machines and circumstances. Some business will commission Microsoft to modify the kernel for them while others will use SKD.

People have been saying Linux is the future for years now and frankly never go into details as to what that even means. Does it mean that the kernel is the future? If the latest update of Windows integrated Linux code into it’s NT kernel does that count as being part of the envisioned Linux future?


Open-source closed-source. these are just methods of software production, it’s the results and not the methods that truly matter.

"Coal and solar: These ar just methods of power production; it's the results and not the methods that truly matter."

See the problem? (In the example here, the method does matter; coal pollutes the area as long as it's in use, while solar doesn't cause environmental harm except when the solar panels are first constructed.

Can anyone recommend a website where I could learn Linux a bit better, or a lot better? :)

It has been quite some time since I had to use it, and with Windows considering becoming a yearly charge, I would rather become better on Linux, and scrap Windows all together.

May I ask when did your Linux hate/allergy begin and why?

Well, what are you needing to learn? What Distro do you plan to drive?

Overall, the ArchWiki is probably the best GR you'll find.