The problem is no matter how badly we want that to be true, Linux just still is not stable enough or user friendly enough for the average user. Unless you’re ready to be a system admin full-time for someone you’re giving a Linux device to, it’s pointless. Even the simple ones like Mint? It’s too much for my elderly mom, she gets lost too easily. It’s just too demanding of average users, simple as that.
I want people to switch to Linux too, but this is exactly why this comic is dead-accurate, because it’s just not ready for average users and likely won’t be anytime soon. Why? Because Linux gives you control, and giving you control is actually demanding of your time and energy and effort. People like Windows or macOS because they don’t have to expend time, energy, and effort, it just “works” well enough for them to use it passively.
There are worse things in the world than regular people not being able to handle Linux.
I switched my grandma to Fedora and she’s been able to use it without issue once I got it set up for her. She only really needs a browser and word processor anyway.
I think windows also kinda sucks for older people and less technologically inclined people.
Windows is what people are used to, doesn’t mean it is better. I think there are a bunch of linux distros that would work just as well for older people.
So, while i first encountered this in software, because i was a nerdy little shit, I’ve found it in a lot of other things since gstting into otg activism:
We infantilize the shit out of people, and as long as they’re kept in a cradle, they will not outgrow it, only wither and die when their tike comes.
Claiming agency for ones self is necessarily challenging. You will fuck up, casting off your chains and taking your first steps towards becoming an autonomous individual. It’s just a thing. In politics/conscience, in software, in sexuality, in riding a bike; whatever. It’s unavoidable, and, imo; usually fine. What i can do is help troubleshoot and make your ass keep backups.
You’ll be better and more capable for having surpassed the challenge.
There was actually a major bifurcation in ux design around precisely this issue. Doug englebart on the not-evil side, steve ‘toilet feet nevershower’ jobs on the other.
Can’t we agree on both? I don’t want microsoft to spy on me and I would like people to switch to linux.
The problem is no matter how badly we want that to be true, Linux just still is not stable enough or user friendly enough for the average user. Unless you’re ready to be a system admin full-time for someone you’re giving a Linux device to, it’s pointless. Even the simple ones like Mint? It’s too much for my elderly mom, she gets lost too easily. It’s just too demanding of average users, simple as that.
I want people to switch to Linux too, but this is exactly why this comic is dead-accurate, because it’s just not ready for average users and likely won’t be anytime soon. Why? Because Linux gives you control, and giving you control is actually demanding of your time and energy and effort. People like Windows or macOS because they don’t have to expend time, energy, and effort, it just “works” well enough for them to use it passively.
There are worse things in the world than regular people not being able to handle Linux.
I switched my grandma to Fedora and she’s been able to use it without issue once I got it set up for her. She only really needs a browser and word processor anyway.
YSK that like all demographics, grandmas occupy a range of intelligence options.
I think windows also kinda sucks for older people and less technologically inclined people.
Windows is what people are used to, doesn’t mean it is better. I think there are a bunch of linux distros that would work just as well for older people.
This is false information
So, while i first encountered this in software, because i was a nerdy little shit, I’ve found it in a lot of other things since gstting into otg activism:
We infantilize the shit out of people, and as long as they’re kept in a cradle, they will not outgrow it, only wither and die when their tike comes.
Claiming agency for ones self is necessarily challenging. You will fuck up, casting off your chains and taking your first steps towards becoming an autonomous individual. It’s just a thing. In politics/conscience, in software, in sexuality, in riding a bike; whatever. It’s unavoidable, and, imo; usually fine. What i can do is help troubleshoot and make your ass keep backups.
You’ll be better and more capable for having surpassed the challenge.
There was actually a major bifurcation in ux design around precisely this issue. Doug englebart on the not-evil side, steve ‘toilet feet nevershower’ jobs on the other.
Also, i can’t do shit about microsoft. It’s only gonna keep getting worse.
I cannot make them not suck. An update will undo anything i do to liberate your machine.
Literally the only solutions i have for ‘ms please don’t spy’ are ‘air gap’ and ‘linux’.