Posted August 08, 2014

I love open source programs such as 7-zip and LibreOffice
So I'm starting to get into Linux and I have tried a few different distros: Mint, both KDE Cinnamon, Mate and even Debian. As well as Ubuntu and Zorin OS. However I've been having a really tough time with it. There are things I like and many things I don't. I like the simplicity of it all and how it can play most video and audio file out of the box.
However, what I don't like is how much Linux depends on constent internet access and programming knowledge to use. The main reason I love GOG so much is because they don't use DRM meaning that there is no net dependency
The simple task of installing Nivida drivers from a .run file has given me quite a headache.
Here's just a quick overview of the process I had to go through. Keep in mind that I try to avoid using terminal as much as possible since I'm more likey to remember menus then commands. (Yes I know lol)
At first it wouldn't run; so I googled it and changed it's properties to execute. Then I get an error message saying that that it has to be executed as Root user before it will work. So I googled it again and looked all over place. I right clicked the menu and opened the folder as Root and then ran the .run with Terminal under Root. I got the error you appear to be running an X server.
At this point I got fed-up and just gave up. I'm sure many of you who are Linux users and reading this, are probably face palming yourselves already knowing the solutions to these problems. But just about everything I do with Linux has a story that goes like this; form trying to install Wine traditionally to locating the directory of installed programs.
What I'm trying to say is; I like Linux and I like the competition it brings. However, it is far from the Windows killer that everyone makes it out to be. With the kind of nonsense you have to go through just to get basic stuff to that you can already do in Windows is astounding. I remember using Windows 3.1 when I was 10 and it was the most amazing OS for it's time. Mostly, because a 10 year old could use it without needing to read a manual; or read much at all for that matter. Things just worked the way you expected and I never had to go back to that CLI known as DOS ever again. I've been using computer for over 20 years now and consider myself a reasonably advanced user but Linux has reduced me to tears lol. Using things like software manager and driver manager is great for casual use, but how do are you supposed to do these manually.
Bottom line is:
Windows 7 is awesome but Windows 8 is terrible.
What I'm really after, is something that I can use just like Windows, but not have to worry about Microsoft doing what they do best. Taking something good and fixing it till it breaks.
GOG is full of an active DRM hating Linux community, so please let me know your thoughts on Linux, Windows and thinking I can do to improve my Linux usage, I could use all the help I can get. Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

Windows 8.1 is so much better than Windows 8, Microsoft brought back the start button and menu, the metro tile interface is gone in the Windows 8.1+ update.
Please know that I am merely expressing my personal opinion and in no way am I disparaging yours as I believe everyone is free to have their preferences :)

I love open source programs such as 7-zip and LibreOffice
So I'm starting to get into Linux and I have tried a few different distros: Mint, both KDE Cinnamon, Mate and even Debian. As well as Ubuntu and Zorin OS. However I've been having a really tough time with it. There are things I like and many things I don't. I like the simplicity of it all and how it can play most video and audio file out of the box.
However, what I don't like is how much Linux depends on constent internet access and programming knowledge to use. The main reason I love GOG so much is because they don't use DRM meaning that there is no net dependency
The simple task of installing Nivida drivers from a .run file has given me quite a headache.
Here's just a quick overview of the process I had to go through. Keep in mind that I try to avoid using terminal as much as possible since I'm more likey to remember menus then commands. (Yes I know lol)
At first it wouldn't run; so I googled it and changed it's properties to execute. Then I get an error message saying that that it has to be executed as Root user before it will work. So I googled it again and looked all over place. I right clicked the menu and opened the folder as Root and then ran the .run with Terminal under Root. I got the error you appear to be running an X server.
At this point I got fed-up and just gave up. I'm sure many of you who are Linux users and reading this, are probably face palming yourselves already knowing the solutions to these problems. But just about everything I do with Linux has a story that goes like this; form trying to install Wine traditionally to locating the directory of installed programs.
What I'm trying to say is; I like Linux and I like the competition it brings. However, it is far from the Windows killer that everyone makes it out to be. With the kind of nonsense you have to go through just to get basic stuff to that you can already do in Windows is astounding. I remember using Windows 3.1 when I was 10 and it was the most amazing OS for it's time. Mostly, because a 10 year old could use it without needing to read a manual; or read much at all for that matter. Things just worked the way you expected and I never had to go back to that CLI known as DOS ever again. I've been using computer for over 20 years now and consider myself a reasonably advanced user but Linux has reduced me to tears lol. Using things like software manager and driver manager is great for casual use, but how do are you supposed to do these manually.
Bottom line is:
Windows 7 is awesome but Windows 8 is terrible.
What I'm really after, is something that I can use just like Windows, but not have to worry about Microsoft doing what they do best. Taking something good and fixing it till it breaks.
GOG is full of an active DRM hating Linux community, so please let me know your thoughts on Linux, Windows and thinking I can do to improve my Linux usage, I could use all the help I can get. Thanks for taking the time to read this post.
I too am a Linux beginner so feel free to PM me if you ever need help from a beginner's perspective :)
Post edited August 08, 2014 by JudasIscariot