I think in order to use desktop Linux you have to be comfortable making your computer a hobby. I’ve tried many distros across 16+ years and I couldn’t go for more than a few days without some part of the OS breaking, some app not working properly, or some functionality simply not being available. Depending on your career and lifestyle, some or all of these are solvable if you’re willing to put in the effort.
Sometimes I’m willing to put in that effort, but increasingly I just want my computer to be a tool that gets out of the way. I think militant Linux users regard that extra effort as a positive in and of itself, or are willing to put up with it for ideological reasons, and thumbs up to them for that, but they can’t grok the fact Linux simply doesn’t work for some people. If you need THE MS Office or Adobe, and many many people do, Linux isn’t going to work. If you need accessibility, as I do, Linux isn’t going to work.
I think the original meaning of “The customer is always right” fits here. If someone says they need something that Linux can’t provide, and especially if they’ve tried what Linux offers and found it unfit for their needs, they need to be taken at face value instead of being gainsaid at every turn.
If you’ve found that Linux meets your needs, hats off to you. I’m even a bit jealous, but until my needs align with what Linux can provide I can’t switch. I’ll keep trying Linux here and there just as I have the last 16 years, but I’m not holding out hope that accessibility will improve, and won’t be able to switch until it does.
A lot of that comes down to user error. Either in not managing/understanding expectations or using it on proper hardware. If you buy from a system integrator like system 76 tuxedo etc etc etc. You’re going to have a good Hardware experience. If you try using some random old laptop. There’s almost always going to be parts of it that don’t work or at least don’t work well.
The other part is down to use case. If you are deependant on Mac only software and try to transition to windows you are going to have a hard time. It’s no different with Linux. Windows has ways of doing things, Mac has ways of doing things. Linux/BSD has many ways of doing things to. If you are not a new user. You’re adjusted to a specific ecosystem. Change will take time and effort.
As to your stability problems. The biggest issue I’ve had in recent years was the upgrade to Wayland. There were issues around getting KDE switched over initially. But it was easily handled and smooth ever since. I have even switched over my entire immediate family and I have far less tech support issues than before. I will say though that post covid and definitely in the last 10 years there has been a dramatic sea change in everything. If you haven’t tried it in a while it’s definitely worth trying again. Linux is a better alternative than it’s ever been depending on your use case.
I think in order to use desktop Linux you have to be comfortable making your computer a hobby. I’ve tried many distros across 16+ years and I couldn’t go for more than a few days without some part of the OS breaking, some app not working properly, or some functionality simply not being available. Depending on your career and lifestyle, some or all of these are solvable if you’re willing to put in the effort.
Sometimes I’m willing to put in that effort, but increasingly I just want my computer to be a tool that gets out of the way. I think militant Linux users regard that extra effort as a positive in and of itself, or are willing to put up with it for ideological reasons, and thumbs up to them for that, but they can’t grok the fact Linux simply doesn’t work for some people. If you need THE MS Office or Adobe, and many many people do, Linux isn’t going to work. If you need accessibility, as I do, Linux isn’t going to work.
I think the original meaning of “The customer is always right” fits here. If someone says they need something that Linux can’t provide, and especially if they’ve tried what Linux offers and found it unfit for their needs, they need to be taken at face value instead of being gainsaid at every turn.
If you’ve found that Linux meets your needs, hats off to you. I’m even a bit jealous, but until my needs align with what Linux can provide I can’t switch. I’ll keep trying Linux here and there just as I have the last 16 years, but I’m not holding out hope that accessibility will improve, and won’t be able to switch until it does.
lmao
A lot of that comes down to user error. Either in not managing/understanding expectations or using it on proper hardware. If you buy from a system integrator like system 76 tuxedo etc etc etc. You’re going to have a good Hardware experience. If you try using some random old laptop. There’s almost always going to be parts of it that don’t work or at least don’t work well.
The other part is down to use case. If you are deependant on Mac only software and try to transition to windows you are going to have a hard time. It’s no different with Linux. Windows has ways of doing things, Mac has ways of doing things. Linux/BSD has many ways of doing things to. If you are not a new user. You’re adjusted to a specific ecosystem. Change will take time and effort.
As to your stability problems. The biggest issue I’ve had in recent years was the upgrade to Wayland. There were issues around getting KDE switched over initially. But it was easily handled and smooth ever since. I have even switched over my entire immediate family and I have far less tech support issues than before. I will say though that post covid and definitely in the last 10 years there has been a dramatic sea change in everything. If you haven’t tried it in a while it’s definitely worth trying again. Linux is a better alternative than it’s ever been depending on your use case.
TIL severe retinal scarring is “user error”