There are aspects of Linux that I find frustrating, even though I don’t talk about them often. Here are five points that I encounter almost daily:
1. Too Many Good Distros to Choose From
Reading online forums (a part of my hobby), I often come across questions like, “Hi, I am new to Linux, just switched over from Windows. Which Linux Distribution should I use? Oh, and I am an Engineering Student.”
When such questions are posted, there is a flood of comments. Each distribution’s fan tries to prove that their choice is superior.
Some typical comments include:
- “Try Linux Mint or Ubuntu, they are easy to use, especially for newbies.”
- “Ubuntu is terrible, go with Mint.”
- “If you want something like Windows, better stay there.”
- “Nothing is better than Debian. It is easy to use and contains all the packages you may need.”
- “Learn Slackware; if you learn Slack, you learn Linux.”
- “CentOS is unparalleled when it comes to stability.”
- “I recommend Fedora for bleeding-edge technology; you’ll learn a lot.”
- “Puppy Linux, SUSE, BSD, Manjaro, Mageia, Kali, RedHat Beta, etc.”
At the end of the discussion, the person asking the question often feels confused and annoyed.
In contrast, consider the same scenario with Windows or Mac. Someone might say, “Are you still using Windows” but no one would aggressively argue that Windows is better. Mac users typically don’t jump into discussions just to make their point louder.
This situation is not only true in online forums but sometimes extends into the corporate world as well.
For instance, I was recently interviewed by a company based in Mumbai (India). The interviewer asked me several questions about technologies I have worked with.
Although I met nearly half of their requirements, the conversation took a strange turn:
| Interviewer | Me |
|---|---|
| “Do you know kernel editing? Wait, no, not kernel editing. Do you know how to compile a kernel on a monolithic side?” | “Yes, we just need to ensure that we select the necessary options before compiling the kernel.” |
| “How do you compile a kernel?” | “I used make menuconfig to…” |
| (interrupting) “When was the last time you compiled a kernel without any help?” | “Recently, on my Debian…” |
| (interrupting) “Debian? We use CentOS. Ok, I will tell the management the result. They will call you.” |
I didn’t get the job, and the interviewer’s dismissive tone left me thinking. He could have simply said, “We use CentOS,” but his tone was a bit off-putting.
2. Lack of Support for Some Important Software
While Linux offers a vast software repository, some specific programs, particularly those designed for Windows, might not have native Linux versions.
This includes some PC Suites for Android phones from certain manufacturers. However, there are often alternatives available, like open-source tools or web interfaces, that can achieve similar functionality.
While Linux originated on servers, it has evolved into a powerful desktop OS. Many popular Linux distributions prioritize user-friendliness and offer a variety of applications for everyday tasks, web browsing, productivity, and even multimedia creation.
It’s true that desktop users might prioritize different features than server administrators. Security and stability remain important, but user-friendly applications and broad software support are also crucial for a complete desktop experience.
Some smartphone manufacturers might not provide dedicated Linux PC Suite software. However, the open-source community often develops tools that bridge this gap and allow basic functionalities like file transfer or backups.
While Linux has made significant strides, there are still areas for improvement:
- High-End Gaming: While compatibility is increasing, Linux might not offer the same level of support or performance for cutting-edge games as Windows.
- Professional Creative Tools: While there are excellent open-source options like GIMP for image manipulation, some industry-standard video editing software might not be readily available on Linux.
Linux is a viable desktop option for many users, but it’s important to understand its strengths and weaknesses.
While it might not be perfect for everyone, especially those requiring specific software or high-end gaming, it offers a stable, secure, and customizable computing experience.
3. Linux Users Often Live in a Virtual World
Some Linux users have a habit of boasting: “I use Linux, and I am superior to you. I can handle the terminal much better. Linux is everywhere – in your wristwatch, mobile phone, remote control. Hackers use Linux. You can do many things with Linux that you can’t with Windows or Mac.”
Linux is indeed used in the International Space Station, the world’s most successful movies like Avatar and Titanic were made using Linux, and 90% of the world’s supercomputers run on Linux. Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, and Yahoo all have Linux-based servers.
I don’t mean these claims are false, but the constant bragging can be annoying, especially when people know very little about what they’re talking about.
4. Long Hours of Compilation and Dependency Resolution
Even with automatic dependency resolution and smarter programs, it can still be a pain. For example, I was installing a program (let’s call it 'y') which had a dependency ('x') that couldn’t be resolved automatically.
While resolving 'x', I encountered eight other dependencies, some of which had additional dependencies. Isn’t that painful?
In the corporate world, efficiency and time are crucial. Who cares if your code is coming from Windows, Mac, or Linux as long as the work is done efficiently?
5. Too Much Manual Work
No matter which distro you choose, you often have to do a lot of things manually. For instance, installing proprietary Nvidia drivers might require you to kill X manually, edit Xorg.conf, and still end up with a broken X. You also have to ensure it works after the next kernel update.
In contrast, on Windows, you just run executables and click Next, Next, I Agree, Next, Forward, Finish, Reboot, and rarely face a broken GUI. While a broken GUI on Windows is hard to repair, it’s much easier on Linux.
Some might argue that manual configuration gives you more control, but at least provides a working interface from which users can customize further.
Why should the installer leave the user to reinvent the wheel each time in the name of security and configurability?
I’ve been a Linux fan and have worked on this platform for nearly half a decade, using various distros. These are my conclusions, but you might have different experiences.
Please share why you hate (or love) Linux in the comment section below.
I would like to respectfully refute the view, repeatedly expressed in the debate, that Linux is only for computer scientists and novices. I never studied computer science; everything I know about it I learned on my own.
I’m just an average computer user, but I’ve always been interested in the world, including what happens on my computer. Even when I used Windows, I was interested in how it worked and tried to understand its intricacies.
I’ve been using Linux for years now because I had enough of Microsoft’s – let’s say – problematic, dangerous, and unreliable operating system (which is itself spyware), impossible to secure, and reliant on ineffective anti-virus software for protection.
Initially, I was afraid of Linux due to the many negative reviews I had read on the Internet. However, after switching, I was surprised at how quick and easy it was to learn to use my first Linux system, Ubuntu. I was also surprised that it was more stable, reliable, and superior to Windows.
Almost everything can be done under Linux, even if not with the software you are used to. Since then, I’ve used Fedora Workstation, GhostBSD, and I’m currently running Fedora Silverblue.
I’ve been more satisfied with all of them than with Windows. Sure, Linux and BSD are not the most user-friendly operating systems, and their developers and users struggle with their human flaws just like everyone else, but they have one thing in common: they are all willing and love to learn and think.
@Gabor,
Thank you for sharing your experience!
It’s great to hear how you learned Linux on your own. Your switch from Windows to different Linux distributions shows that Linux is accessible and reliable for everyone.
Your story proves that Linux isn’t just for experts or beginners, but for anyone willing to learn.
Really? In 2024?
I use all three main PC systems: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Mac is good, mostly visually, but you must take it “as it is.” For some, it is enough… but not for me. I want choice.
Windows, especially 11, is such a pain in the a–. It is hard to say, but Windows 2000 was the last usable Windows system (okay, I admit, XP and 7 also were not so bad…).
Linux is good, but it is really for those who are aware of what they’re doing. There is plenty of choice. If you have an idea of what your system should do, better for you. But if you want just “something,” you better stay with Windows.
If Windows is soooo GOOD, why is every Windows Update followed by dozens of articles on how to fix what the update broke? Just when you fix those problems, M$ issues the next update and the vicious circle starts again. Rinse and repeat.
Besides, ALL Microsoft OSs from MS-DOS 1.0 to the latest Win 11 have been designed to hoover up any and all user data.”
If you are an adult do not even consider Linux. It is a steaming pile of disappointing crap. It is not meant to be used in the world of the end-user. For mainframe servers along with a team of nerds to maintain it, it’s ok.
Speaking of yourself as someone who obviously can’t use Linux I am sure, I use Linux Mint and haven’t used Windows for 20 Years, I did test windows 10 at one point but gave it a miss as viruses are not my thing, neither automatic updates nor blue screens either. still, everyone to their own I guess.
Just a passing comment I hate Windows with a vengeance but I would never relate to Windows as a steaming pile of disappointing crap and label people who use it to be nerds, I guess I have more respect for those who use Windows than you do yo those that use Linux.
Typical bullshit from those who can’t use their computers for high-level tasks, like photography, DTP, or even usable file management. Linux is painfully dumb. It is entertaining a lot of nerd people, but it is highly unusable at daily work.
That’s it, it is unusable for productivity.
Those, who are happy that they understand what is happening behind the Linux curtains, are satisfied, but the story ends here. There is no usable software under Linux that can be used for productivity, even in a simple environment like an office. Sorry, but this is a fact.
It is said that you make a comment that is not true if you hate Linux don’t use it no one is forcing you to do so, I have used Linux for years, that said yes Linux has its fair share of problems but the software is brilliant, GIMP, BLENDER LibreOffice, AND MANY MORE PROGRAMS THAT MAY I ADD ARE FREE, you don’t have to use these pieces of software so stop cribbing about it go to windows where you can be exploited to your heart’s content.
Wow, Norm, sad experience. I came from Windows 7 to Linux Mint a year ago, and man, things were very easy in Windows. Install is next, next, I agree and install. No broken packages. No random freezes (ok it happened but less often and because of my only 4GB of ram). Full hardware support (I recently spent over a day configuring my headset mic. Sure this wouldn’t even be necessary on Windows).
Now think these problems (mine and yours) happening so a casual home user that just learned how to make a bootable media!!!
RedHat sold to IBM in 2019. IBM is no friend of opensouce. I have been running Linux on the desktop for close to 12 years. I have installed them all venom to ubuntu to BSD (all BSD distros). Since the introduction of systemd everything is harder. it is a complete a total disaster.
Last night I moved back to WIN7 as my main desktop after being off of it for 8 years. I did a new install and I am back on win7. Linux has fallen. I believe in the not too distant future it will be part of win10. I’m getting off that train.
You went a dead platform. Win7 is an unsupported OS. Should’ve gone for windows 10.
But these days it won’t work for you unless you get an SSD. I hate win7 with the wrong version of AMD/ATI drivers. Now it BSODs on boot and reboots.
One thing I hate about Linux is that you fix a problem and it all works, then they update the kernel and low and behold one of the programs stops working, then your off on the same old crap of fixing it again.
In mint 20.1 they no longer support pip 2 so now if you have a favorite program you use tough, You can waste a lifetime in Linux by compiling, fault finding, hours of info finding that does not help. So back to windows 10 where your working on a project and the dread of automatic updates crash your machine windows total garbage.
I love Linux but some of the comments have a valid response its time Linux got its self together so we can use the operating system instead of trying to get it to work all the time.
This statement I made was on Linux Mint 20.1, I am now using Mint 20.3 and it seems that most of the problems I had are gone, to prove the point I have installed the AMD Radeon pro duo 32GB video card, the Epson XP-8500 Inkjet printer with ink-level software, and Blender runs a treat with this card.
I can say I have never had Linux Mint crash, if Linux was not available I would stop using a computer, and I will not sell myself to Microsoft under any circumstances, I hate the term Linux mint is OK for newbies does that mean that driving a car like a mini cooper is for newbies but for professional drivers you need to go to a porch.
What a load of garbage a statement of stupidity, Linux gets work done gets you from A to B that’s it same with all operating systems except Microsoft Windows gets you to pay for the software and takes your privacy away from you in the process.
Besides all the good parts of Linux, here is what I hate.
Based on the above, I won’t recommend Linux to any of my family/friends
If you cannot use your Bluetooth because of pairing may I say and this may not be the case in your circumstances that I have a pair of JVC headphones and to pair them I have to press and hold the on button till it states that it is paired then connect through Bluetooth software on Linux, just a thought hope it helps?
For Linux to be a desktop operating system, there needs to be one company (let’s say Linux Corporation) that makes somehow money to keep up with the needs of making the operating system, and this company needs to put out a “Founders Edition” Linux that will cover everything, they also need to find a way to have libraries for everything, every distribution should be compatible with each other, like have a mega distribution that can switch things around, if Linux can run Windows in simulation, then it sure should be able to run every distribution as well.
This official Linux distribution should be the basis for all users that will include everything, the average user should simply hit icons like in windows, without having to ever know the command line exists. And then give the ability to alter the OS as the power user pleases, this way they can still feel the freedom to do their os exactly as they wants.
Free things never work, if nobody makes money directly off a product then that product will never get the attention it requires to become the best.
Even in Windows you sometimes have to use the terminal.
Nobody wants to admit that Linux is a pile of garbage. The people who use Linux have wet dreams about using GREP and the
|character. If you’re actually trying to do things with computers beyond the very basic level of computing Linux is almost always an impediment.It’s true that supercomputers use Linux, but the truth of supercomputers is that they don’t run real software. They run math equations and algorithms, the operating system used is irrelevant for those applications. When the operating system is irrelevant, you use what is freely available, easily modified, and commonly known, which happens to be Linux.
Trying to shoehorn Linux into being a desktop OS is like trying to turn a Subaru into a race car. What you end up with is something that the kids think is cool, but put it on a race track and it will get obliterated…
“Nobody wants to admit that Linux is a pile of garbage.”
– A pile of garbage that’s everywhere.
“they don’t run real software. They run math equations and algorithms”
– math equations and algorithms are real software.
“If you’re actually trying to do things with computers beyond the very basic level of computing Linux is almost always an impediment.”
– What’s a very basic level? Offimatic + web browsing? That’s what most pc users do, but it doesn’t matter, and do you think money is not an impediment? If I want to do some math, document creation, drawing, gaming, multimedia edition (there’s a distro perfect for all of my needs in my home studio), or almost everything you can think of, I wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money in professional software that I’ll use sporadically. Neither I would search for cracks, keygens to get some malware ruining my machine.
And for science (i don’t think that you understand the complexity of the software in this field), I simply would need to run Linux, or run Linux in a Virtual Machine because the computing efficiency can’t be achieved on windows. ( neuronal networks, fluid mechanics modelizations, FEM, parametric CAD, etc etc.),
The only reason I need windows is Autodesk software. Because they think every windows VM (or dual boot windows machine) is a window and not a Linux or Apple machine and, they think that develop versions for some $3000/year clients doesn’t worth it.
I totally disagree with you that Linux is a piece of garbage, and as for the wet dreams comment it is obvious that you have a very low language vocabulary, that’s why you still read kinder-garden story books.
Why not just keep using Windows give up your privacy and be happy with that instead of insulting Linux and Linux users, we won’t miss you and I’m sure you won’t miss us.
What I really hate about Linux is that system software, part of the distributions (which in my opinion should be fast, lowest memory/CPU footprint) is still written in script languages made for non-programmers like Python.
I don’t like Python daemons sitting in my RAM memory as much as I’d hate Java or PHP or BASH daemons if such is part of the OS. The OS must keep the system resources for the user processes and user well-being, not consuming most of them for itself.
Use Wayland and desktops for Wayland. X 11 is old UNIX crap. This will make the choice easier. Next year Gnome, Plasma, Enlightenment, Sway, Lxqt, Mate, Budgie 11 will work for Wayland.
Norm, you’re exactly right, these are the sort of problems even experienced Linux users have, that discourage them from recommending it to family and friends. Even simple things are such a headache in Linux.
The devs spend too much time comparing their distro’s appearance and not enough time getting things working consistently. Flatpaks, Snaps, AppImages, and more, just shows there is no harmony in the Linux marketplace or underlying OS.
I love Linux but the hassle is not worth it for most people, and that’s how many Linux nerds like it.
I would like to disagree with you as I am a 20-plus-year Linux user and I love Linux, but sadly you are right about many formats, but I can say the Linux community needs to start using AppImages instead of Flatpaks, Snaps, as Appimages are the easiest way to run software without installing it.
But you do make a sensible remark about Linux I agree with.
Look at all the comments about Linux then compare the cost of Windows and the corporate software that now has implicated a rent to use, soon only the rich will have a computer, LET LINUX DIE AND YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT, JUST A THOUGHT.
I just started using Linux. I first wiped out a Dell XPS1330 that my wife was having problems with while running Windows 10 (she was constantly having issues nearly every time she got a MS update. Lost a bunch of documents one time but we were able to recover them from backups on a NAS).
Anyway, she was fed up with Windows so after a bit of research, I wiped the machine and loaded Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.
Since I was totally new to Linux and associated software, it took me a while getting LibreOfficeWirter configured so that it would read and write documents in Open XML (.docx & .xlsx).
It also took a while getting our Canon Pixma-892 multi-function wireless printer to not only print but also function as a scanner. I also had to set up drive sync to our NAS so that all of our documents could be stored in one place but synced to all of our devices. I brought across her bookmarks from Firefox which she had been using for years while on Windows. All in all, other than the NAS drive sync, the laptop was pretty easy to configure.
My wife used the laptop for about two weeks before we sat down and had a talk about how things were going. She said she missed some of the functionality that was in MS Office (2007) but for the most part it was stable and she was getting fairly use to it.
Then the other day she went to print 10 copies of a document for a class and we couldn’t believe how long it took. 5 minutes between each copy. It took just short of an hour. I have no idea where to start to try to figure out what the problem is. I guess I’ll remove the printer and try re-installing it first.
Regardless of the printing issue, I decided to buy a 500Gb SSD and pop it in my office desktop PC, install a fresh copy of Ubuntu 18.04 and give it a try. I knew this was going to be a huge task because this desktop does a lot. It runs a video surveillance system for our home, it of course has all of the normal Office productivity requirements which LibreOffice can somewhat fulfill.
I also have a ton of other applications associated with ham radio. I managed to find some Linux apps that fulfilled some of these functions and was able to get a couple of them to work under WINE. There were a few apps that I just couldn’t stand using the Linux equivalent and ended up Installing the Windows 10 Pro software license I had on VirtualBox with Ubuntu being the host. At lease now when a Windows 10 corruption occurs, it is an easy task to import the Win10 image and I’m back in operation in under 15 minutes.
Some of the ham radio interface issues I ran into were quite difficult to address because there just wasn’t much useful info on the web. I felt I was constantly on a wild goose chase. I have 6 different USB/Serial CAT interfaces going to various equipment and 3 different audio devices each with input and output signals going to multiple applications.
While this was somewhat difficult in Windows, it was a pita in Linux. Especially when some of the apps were Linux, some were in WINE and 2 were in Windows 10 in VirtualBox – all talking to USB/tty ports and audio devices in Ubuntu. Now I’m trying to figure out how to address virtual COM ports. Another 3-4 day project I’m sure.
So, I’m fairly new to Linux. I have to admit it has been an extremely difficult journey.
Some things that I still have trouble with and despise are:
I can see why Linux hasn’t really taken off and become very popular with the desktop crowd. You still need to be a computer nerd to use Linux. Nearly everything you want to add to or configure in Linux takes forever to figure out and quite often you find yourself in Terminal pounding out command lines rather than running a simple GUI.
I think the majority of folks out there that are sick of MS just want an OS that is intuitive and easy to use. For simple things, Linux can fill that need but for many requiring a more complicated configuration, it does not and will not until its developers stop focusing on the colors of the desktop and how pretty they can make it and start focusing on providing easy to use gui apps to address basic functionality. Devices such as USB/tty for example.
2 months and counting, I’ve only been at this for about 2 months and there have been several times when I have almost thrown in the towel and thought of saving myself all the grief and just return to Windows.
I don’t want to admit how much time I’ve spent messing around getting this machine setup. While it may seem to work fairly well, I’m still not 100% sure I’ll remain a Linux user. Many of the things I’ve had to do to get things working might break as soon as I decide to install a major upgrade.
We’ll see! So the jury is still out. I haven’t given up, I’m just growing tired of messing about trying to get things to work rather than actually using the machine for it’s intended purpose.
Norm
This is the price for freedom I guess. I use Debian or XUbuntu with XFCE desktop. Sometimes I have weird problems, but I almost always manage to solve them by not asking but cleverly reading lots of answers.
You must not blindly slap commands in the terminal, but should know what you’re doing and how to check whether it worked. I even managed to fix a weird Nvidia driver’s problem by reading what others have done and then hacking a suspend/resume script out of this.
I use Linux Mint and find it the best that Linux can offer, I will never use Microsoft as long as I live, that said your comments are valid, I have used Linux for many years but you are right, don’t give up.
Microsoft is a data mining piece of software and Windows has more problems than Linux BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH IS ONE OF THEM, I have never had a Linux crash so Windows will always be a no-no for me.
If people are not happy with Linux why not support it and make it better with donations so the Linux operating system can move forward, that’s all I can say.
There are perennial, even eternal issues with the Linux kernel that never get fixed. For example, problems with reboot, shutdown, and suspend.
Just type “Linux reboot issue“, “Linux hangs at shutdown“, and “Black screen after suspend” into a search engine to see the magnitude of the problem, and how long it’s been going on.
The usual answer, if you ask about it, is “I’ve been using ‘distro xyz‘ since the dawn of time, and my machine works perfectly” or “It’s your hardware, update your BIOS, memory, motherboard, entire PC until Linux works on it.”
I still use it, daily, on two PCs, but it’s far from perfect – and issues just like occasionally having to restart your machine hard causes issues elsewhere, corrupted HDDs, and the like.
@Andy,
Agreed, Linux has its persistent issues, especially with reboot, shutdown, and suspend. It’s frustrating to see these problems persist over time. While some claim flawless experiences, many still face challenges, and the fixes often involve a trial-and-error approach with hardware updates.
I love Linux because it free me from the Microsoft jail.
Good God son, that English needs some work.
“I myself is a Linux fan and have been working on this platform for nearly half a decades”.
“I myself am a linux fan, and I’ve been working with this software for half a decade”.
The irony of someone who doesn’t know to capitalize a proper noun in English (it’s Linux, not linux!) judging others for their poor language skills.
And yet the language skills are poor, while the critic isn’t presuming to publish articles professionally for people to read. So, not really that ironic.
FIRST TAKE THE PLANK OUT OF YOUR OWN EYE THEN YOU CAN REMOVE THE SPLINTER FROM YOUR BROTHERS EYE, THINK BEFORE YOU JUDGE OTHERS.
LINUX or Linux who the hell cares I know what they mean and have no need to correct anyone for it.
I hate Debian and Ubuntu. I use RPM or Arch based distros and others except this. Why? I want a modern OS with the latest technology. PC Linux is the perfect OS for Linux newbies. I hate all distros trying to look like Mac or windows or insulting. I am not fond of nerd distros like slackware either.
Why do Debian try to make terrible kind of Linux and BSD or Solaris hybrid OS. Why do they let BSD change from GPL to BSD. They just steal from Linux or Solaris. Lick the devils in the a$$ but that is not my way. They are also backed up by guess who? Macdollar and Microdollar. It is a nice troika? Killing Amiga and Beos. Use live distros and try them. If you like them use them. Learn how make multiboot.
The only OS that really forced me to use the prompt is Windows 10. I could not care less what these FB, Twitter etc users use or if these microdollar users is capable of loading an image to a pendrive and and see if they like it. I know they will use W10 for their stupid shoot and kill games, Office or Adobe programs. They killed Symbian too. A lightweight distro with a lightweight desktop rocks. Wayland will also rock one day and leave stupid distros and desktops behind.
All these distros wanting to make a new desktop that will never adapt to Wayland will be forgotten. Bye Bye. It goes so fast using the prompt bla bla bla if you want to learn Bash yes but do not try to be microdollar, Macdollar or BSD please. What is Unix? I do not care.
Posix compliance is something very good and Also Gnu but their idiot kernel experiments I could live without. Hurd etc. One thing I do not like is how Linux have sabotaged all efforts with other real free source project like Haiku or Aros and others to develop drivers compatibility so they could really create something together.
Phone and Tablet Os are just toy OS. Nixy or not nixy does not interest me. Redhat supported Linux from the start. I do not feel anything in common with bullies hating SYSTEM D , etc and threatening developers with death. Use your nerdy shit and shut up please.
Linux means freedom even to make a lousy distro that is why there are so many of them. I do not feel anything in common with most Linux users. I like Manjaro Lxqt and PC Linux Mate.. I have been a distro hopper and many distros I have found a lot of them are not even possible to boot and install. Should we have a Linux police deciding which distro to use.
Alright Pajeet, looks like you’re going to need to outsource your editing to the U.S.
My god, this was an atrociously-written article.
1. You are right distribution fan.
2. Really. (Natron, Lightworks, Open Scad, Blender) Yes I am aware of the problem output file standards that are closed and proprietary that makes them incompatible with open source programs.
It doesn’t mean you cant use Linux as professional video audio or architecture creating kit. And i have no problem with android devices on my Linux sorry.
3. Its a problem of a user and individuals with self-esteem trying to build up their ego in general not an OS it self.
4. I do not remember when I was forced to have to compile something from scratch. Yes compilation can be time consuming on older machines. And if you have old computer and you want it to be relatively you go minimal install and do much by hand as you are able to.
It may be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the ones point of view
5. I have to kill noting to install my proprietary drivers i been only forced to uninstall the open source ones. But yes the graphic could be a pain i the on Linux, and about manual work Please see point four of this comment.
Errata And if you have old computer and you want it to be relatively fast you go minimal…
I like Linux because: more things are for free:
1. You can make your own distribution
2. Problem with linuxers is problem with user no with Linux
3. Photoshop support, if do you call them “i have Linux version of Photoshop and I have problem.” They can’t Tell you: Have you got linux? F**k you.
Sorry for the grammatical errors. I’m not Englishman
Dear Jirka,
I dropped Photoshop years ago I now use Gimp, some say it is not as powerful as Photoshop, I, on the other hand, disagree, I have done all my image editing, picture repair, seriously faded image, and very badly damaged pictures, you could say I am pro, but you don’t get to be a pro by looking at the software and wishing you could achieve what you want you to have to work hard at it it is the only way, having qualifications does not make you good at something endeavoring to be the best that you can make you exceptional.
You do not have to be sorry for the grammatical errors, anyone who has a brain would accept you are a fellow human being.
good points raised.
I recently started working as a programmer in a team where they use linux on development machines. Just searched for “linux sucks” because I am tired sick of the lintard attitude.
While I have worked with Linux, I have not used it as a primary development machine. I have worked with linux on servers. And I am willing to learn to use it on Desktop. I can get my way around better than the average programmer.
Apart from missing the regularly used apps on Windows, I find linux versions of the same windows applications are ugly. Lets say I get used to it. At the end of the day, I want my code to work, and I can ignore the inconvenience of using Linux UI on Desktop.
Still, the biggest bother is the high horse attitude of some members of my team who are linux fanboys or lintards or whatever. Seems like knowing a few commands on Linux makes them smarter than me or anyone else. They make me feel that I do not know anything if I get stuck with this stupid linux environment (.profile, .bash profile, .bashrc, /etc/environment — all these are startup scripts or properties files. Really ?!! ). I am in this constant struggle to prove my worth. It gets depressing sometimes. I would rather work with a team of normal programmers than lintards.
And guess what? we write java code ! And at the end of the day , I can write it better than many lintards anyway.
@Baagad,
Thanks for sharing your story, but to be fact Linux is vast like Ocean, which doesn’t have end point, same way no one will be expert or smarter, as its has endless things to do…So don’t get disappoint, there are people who treat himself has masters by learning few basic commands….keep learning..
Thanks. I understand. I dont hate or love any OS. At the end of the day , I am paid to write code and get it working. Whatever makes my job faster gets my vote and my wallet.
But what is it with Linuxers and their superiority attitude.. come on lintards, it is just another OS being given away for free for two decades and still does not have even 10% of market share on desktops!! If it is such a great OS, how come even MacOS which is not free has a greater market share ??
@Baagad,
Your question is valid, but to be fact I really don’t have answer for this, it’s all depend on individual choice when selecting operating systems. I know that Windows and MacOS has greater market share than Linux, but I think due to complexity of Linux and CLI version makes difficult for newbies to adopt it….
I’m not really amazed if you aren’t getting along with people you call “Lintards”. Sure, you probably don’t say that to their faces, but they probably aren’t as stupid as you think. Your attitude comes through, it’s no wonder if they treat you like crap in return.
Agree about the point 3. Gets on my nerves. Just cant stand the Lintards who think they have better technical knowledge, intelligence etc than me if they can recall a few obscure terminal commands.
Being disrespectful is your right in a free and democratic society and I respect your freedom to say what you will, but if Lintards is the extent of your vocabulary to insult someone or anyone I feel sad for you.
Respect costs nothing and it would seem I respect you more than you respect yourself.
I started with computing in 1981 with DOS 6.0. I’ve used every version of Windows, personally and professionally, since Windows 3.1. I’ve also used Linux, personally and professionally, since the year 2000. Bottom line, I’m pretty well versed in both operating systems. I can honestly say that, as an operating system, Windows is just a crude little toy compared to Linux.
Dear Earl,
I also have been on that road of Windows operating systems, I would not go as far as to say Windows is just a crude toy, it is a complicated professional operating system that has been messed up, by using for exploitation purposes by Microsoft corporation.
I do agree that Linux is far superior to Windows, it has its problems but it does not spy on you.
1995 called, they want their article back.
I love Linux because it is fun to tweak it in every possible manner. There are several GUI to choose from. I get all of the software I need free of cost, without piracy. It can go on without Reboot for long nights.
I hate Linux because, there’s just way too much fragmentation in the community. And as you mentioned, users try to prove themselves better than other users(talking about Distro-Wars). Applications feel broken on certain DEs(and that’s what I just love about Windows). Lack of support from big communities for end-user products.
This was so poorly written I cannot even take it seriously. There is not one original thought in the whole article or at least I couldn’t tell because it’s mostly incoherent rambling. This should have been titled, “Obvious things any user of Linux already knows”.
Not sure how this piss poor excuse for content got past an editor. Thankfully there is a myriad of helpful articles here. This just isn’t one of them.
#4 was SO RIGHT ON!!! I love Linux but one of the things I absolutely hate is installing software. Windows, for all of its faults, does this one RIGHT; double click an installer, click yes a bunch of times and in 2-3 minutes *BAM* your software is ready to be used.
Can any Linux user out there say they’ve NOT been able to install 19 out of 20 programs on a Windows computer, and of those 19 that it took less than 10 minutes per program? Now ask about Linux – how many can say that they’ve either not been able to install software or spend at least 20-30 minutes chasing down libraries, updating other packages first, updating/editing repositories, etc?
Windows comes up short against Linux in many ways but installing software is something Windows wins HANDS DOWN.
Were you paid by Apple/Microsoft to sow FUD, because your statements are either straight up wrong or so outdated its laughable. Try again.
1. Choose from Too Many Good Distros
This is a good thing, not a bad thing. The likelihood that someone finds an OS they like improves with choice. Choice is pretty much the central tenet of Linux.
2. Some of the very important software has no support in Linux
Some of that software has no support in Mac either. Some Mac software isn’t available in Windows. And the same for Linux apps. This is not a valid argument anymore. There are apps in Linux to pretty much do anything. Want a PhotoShop? Gimp! Want Office Suite? Libre Office.
3. Linuxer have a habit of living in virtual world
My mother in law lives in a virtual world? Really? This statement is just plain wrong? Was this article written a decade ago?
4. The long hours of compilation and dependency resolution
Again, is this article a decade old? I have been using Linux based OS’s for almost 10 years now and dependancy issues only crop up for development tools where it makes sense for this to happen. Another fallacious argument, sorry.
5. Too much manual work
Now I know this article is old. Your example of Nvidia driver .. I use the driver updates tool, select Nvidia, wait for install and restart. DONE! You could go the route of self-install if you want (again that pesky choice) but it’s just not necessary.
Sure, Linux can be a pain in the bum when it comes to drivers (Nvidia, especially). It has other problems, too, but at the end of the day, I would still prefer to shoot myself in the face than go back to administering a Windows machine. There really is a big difference. In a corporate environment, you should care what system you are using. Windows machines have a tendency to go FUBAR on you, especially when dealing with users who have no common sense (inadvertently download viruses, etc.). Little things like file permissions make no sense on Windows, while very straightforward on Linux (or any other unix like OS – osx, bsd, etc.). Licensing is a major drawback – how many times do I have to enter a license key!!! Updating software one by one, arrr!!! No decent and easy disk encryption (sorry, bitlocker does NOT count)! Cloning Windows to different hardware is near impossible!
Even as a desktop user, it is much easier to get every day work done faster for many of the same reasons. Lastly, I am so sick and tired of hearing things like but Photoshop doesn’t work on Linux and GIMP is not professional. Really? You think Photoshop has an easy to use, intuitive interface? GIMP IS PROFESSIONAL and IMO, more powerful than Photoshop – I used photoshop for 3 years and it really sucks. GIMP sucks, too, but hey, it is free and it will get it done.
I don’t hate Linux, I quite like it actually. I don’t like Windows as much as I used to. Linux is an open source operating system, meaning it can be modified and re-distributed, I think this is the way it should be. I wish I could modify Windows. I like using the CLI (command-line interface) as well, sometimes it is quicker to manually type in specific commands than to mess around with the GUI. If you don’t like it, then don’t use it.
I second Jamie’s comment.
Like him I’m tired of the “new” Windows editions.
I understand everyone’s feelings for Linux and for Windows… I have my opinions on both too but…
I think we’re forgetting 2 things:
Windows is mainly “a business” (that’s why we can’t make some things with it, as cloning)! – not good for us (lovers of FOSS)!
Linux is mainly volunteer work (read different opinions and tastes) to reach a perfect OS! – impossible task!
So, what have we?
On one hand we have an “universal” SO which has many problems (that generate money: anti virus, technical assistance, PC manufacturers that want to profit from the sale of the OS too, etc.) but has the approval of every HW manufacturer with drivers, guides, etc. and every gadget comes with a Windows SW, so we’re forced to use it, whether we like it or not.
On the other hand we have an unfinished OS that doesn’t crash or fail and seems to be virus proof, but lacks the “user friendliness” and easiness of operation. The core is wonderful!!! A marvelous piece of the best software there is.
I like the command line (I used to work with MS-DOS) but 90% of the people that work with a PC don’t!
It’s an excellent OS to be behind a POS SW.
It’s an excellent OS to be controlling a server and feeding web pages, or managing databases, or whatever that doesn’t get in touch with people.
It is an excellent OS to be inside the computers of ISS.
It’s an excellent OS to be behind the curtains!
… but the environment (when there is one) is made by a manufacturer of the gadget with one purpose!
Why? Why is Linux failing on desktops? (the statistics say it!)
Because of the environment. There are so many flavors that everyone get confused… and they’re so different that most people think they almost need to start learning everything from the beginning.
And then, there’s the compatibility: my Vaio’s bluetooth is rarely recognized for an example (except for Zorin).
And my wireless pen must be reconfigured every time there’s a ditro-upgrade, so I have to make a long wire LAN connection to get to the repository.
Now, you ask me if I hate Linux and I answer:
No, I love Linux! It’s so steady, so dependable, so unbreakable when is well configured! … but to get there… ufff! (I’m sweating)
So, how is Linux so good?
When it’s compiled by someone (not me) who really understands what he’s doing! and does it to his taste! and does it with his best configuration!… that’s when Linux is perfect… for that guy.
And when we’re talking about a HW manufacturer that is going to use an OS inside the gadget: what are they going to use?
Linux!
Because it’s free, and they can trim it for that gadget, that product they’re building. And they give it an environment of they’re own, built for THAT product. Then, we have another perfect Linux.
That’s why Android gained such boom…. it’s soooo user friendly!
I think David Harris explained it well:
Instead of having so many different Linux programmer “religions”, they should all be together with one single direction.
(Just for the record: I have a few PCs with Linux and a few with Windows)
“Let me tell you, Linux is now being used in International Space Station. ”
how it can be relevant to me as a normal user?
no way, its not even close important to me, I really don’t care.
Linux is being used in International Space Station doesn’t means it is not relevant to you. Linux is designed in such a way that it meets the requirements of every user and every scenario, in most of the cases.
Wrong… Linux is available with Source Code and the license to Modify… So instead of writing their own kernel, people take up the existing ones and tweak it completely… This is the ONLY reason for Linux variants on ISS or Super Computers and not because Linux is “Designed” that way… If it is “designed” that way, then it should run AS SUCH which is not the case at all considering such deployments
The ramblings of a Linux geek.
By David Harris.
There are things that are so mind-boggling to me, in this day in age of Androids, IPhone, Tablets, and other techie devices.
Trying to explain your love for Linux to a non-Linux user is one of them.
One of the first questions you get is, “Why?”.
Trying to explain to a non-Linux user, why you love Linux, is like banging your head against the wall over and over. It accomplishes nothing except giving you a headache, but I am going to try.
I guess the easiest way to explain it would be to take someone who buys and repairs cars.
We all have that one family member, who buys the old beat up jalopy, and spends all summer working on it, repainting it, and getting it back to perfect running order.
That is how I look at a computer with Windows on it. This is an OPINION, it is not based on statistically sound data, but it is from my OWN experiences as a computer technician.
To me, putting Windows on a computer, is like taking a 4 cylinder Chevette engine, and dropping it into a HUGE 4×4. It is slow, less powerful, and doesn’t run very well.
While I know that some of you Windows Techies and Windows Geeks, will disagree with me, you have to understand something. I’ve been working with both Operating Systems for years. Linux, once it is stream-lined, tuned up and humming, will run “most” Windows games in Wine faster than Windows in many cases. It will run software created for it, faster than its Windows counterpart. It will also stay up for literally MONTHS (barring any power outage), and generally not slow down, nor need a reboot. Longest time I have had a Linux machine up personally, was 8 months, and 12 days.(I had to shut it down to put a new SCSI card in it).
Since 1997, I have literally installed Linux on over 2000 machines, between work, home, and for friends/family.
Windows to me is like a cesspool. It literally attracts bugs, viruses, trojans, pups, and other assorted riffraff into its system and some of them, even with the best anti-virus, make their homes so big, the only thing you can do, is to tear down the house, and rebuild (format re-install), unless the foundation is broken (boot sector virus), then you have to replace that.
Also, I ask many Windows users this? How many times a year do you have to re-install Windows? The average response I get, is at least twice a year. There are only two times I have ever had to re-install Linux, was when I was a newbie to Linux and accidentally deleted a file in the /lib directory. It introduced me to my first “Kernel Panic”. The other time was a failing hard drive.
I could literally go on for days on an anti-Windows rant, however, there is one main reason I love Linux.
Choice…
I choose to run Linux, because it works for ME. I like the ability to choose which GUI I will use. I like the speed, stability, and I like KNOWING what goes on my computer. I don’t like software that installs 4 different things like trackers, browser bars, changes your homepage, and sometimes malware/spyware. I don’t have that problem in Linux.
I like to choose when I need to update my kernel, or my software, and not have it automatically done for me. I like that most software for Linux is open source and not proprietary software (like DirectX). I like the option to choose which browser I am going to use, and that it isn’t integrated into the entire Operation System.
Choice is the biggest reason I love Linux. I chose it. I didn’t have HP, Dell, or some other company choose it for me.
As a Linux user, I am also referred to many times as an elitist. I gladly wear that badge. One of the definitions of an elitist is “a person who believes in the superiority of an elitist class.”. In this case it is “a person who believes in the superiority of an Elite Operating System.”. I believe in the superiority of Linux. Many web servers are ran on Linux…Statistically about 35% are Linux. A larger percentage goes to Unix based web servers.
Even Blizzard’s World of Warcraft runs its servers on Linux.
Do I think Linux is going to take over the world? NO! However, I do believe that with its web server abilities it is going to have its fair share in the market. Do I think that Linux is ever going to top the Desktop market? NO! However, I do believe that it will eventually catch up to OSX.
Linux has made significant moves though in mobile technology. While it is not a Linux distribution, Android technology is based off of a Linux kernel. Chrome OS is another technology that uses a Linux kernel.
Linux has made significant contributions to the technology and is not going anywhere anytime soon, despite what Linux naysayers predict. Linux is here to stay.
Long live Tux.
Maybe I shouldn’t post here after months but anyway.
You have some good points here and I’d like to try and give my point of view in this matter.
Your house metaphor was spot on, I think. But I have another one, from perspective and this comes probably from the way I use an OS.
I see software/programs like a tools and use them that way.Tools that help you do something (work) better/faster, etc. Now I look at the OS’s like a toolbox, a toolbox where the before mentioned tools fit in. And when I go into a store to buy a toolbox the manager will tell me: OK here we have this toolbox that costs You a lot and fits (almost) all of your tools but it is heavy to carry, hard to maintain (needs cleaning…) and probably it’s not gonna last more than a Year. Whereas on the other side we have a nice looking, fancy, lightweight toolbox that doesn’t even cost a thing but the thing is that it won’t fit more than a screwdriver or a pair of pliers. What would I choose? Of course the first one. Simply because the second one, as fancy as it may be, even free, it doesn’t fulfill it’s purpose in my case.
I’m a mechanical Engineer and I can tell You this for sure: no (employed) Mechanical Engineer or any kind of Engineer for that matter (except Software Engineers. I don’t even know why they’re called engineers!) will/could be able to get by without using Windows, daily.
I use linux everyday for my personal needs. Browsing the web, reading some books (even though I never found a pdf reader that comes even close to FoxtiReader) and I’m pretty satisfied with it. I use Mint at the moment, have tried Lubuntu and ubuntu before. I gave puppy linux a try also but it wasn’t for a beginner like me so I ditched it.The linux distros I’ve tried so far were fast but there are some people around that go like yeah, linux is faster than windows. This may be the case in the server division but I never noticed a speed increase in any Linux distro compared to Windows 7 besides the booting time (which on Linux mint is even longer than windows but that may be because I’m running it from an ext. hdd).
Another thing I’d like to point out is the security issue. Let me tell You this, I’ve run windows 7 for almost 2 years and only had an infection once. I accidentally let some app install babylon on my web browser. I was everyday browsing the Internet from windows. Sure, for a 13 year old kid, or some crazy addict virus infections are gonna be in a daily basis in windows whereas on linux this won’t happen but if You keep an updated AV, be careful where You step on then You’re gonna be fine in windows too.
I’d be glad if I could make the move and become a full time linux user but unfortunately that’s impossible for me at the time and, frankly speaking, considering how things are evolving, don’t think it ever will during my lifetime.
As soon as there are about a dozen hundreds of linux flavors (distros) and only (at most) mediocre programs around, it will be impossible for any (real) windows user to become a full time linux user. I never understood the idea behind all the distros and all the similar programs but none that does something really good. With really good I mean to be at least on par with windows software. For example I mentioned pdf readers above. I never understood why there are a dozen of pdf readers for linux but none of them comes close to FoxitReader or Adobe Reader ? Why not use all the enthusiasm of the linux community, get together and develop two or three pdf readers that are even better than those two?
The same goes for other applications. Libreoffice/Openoffice has been around for years but it still can’t display a .doc (.docx) page correctly! Not to mention the fact that a lot of excel formulas won’t work (convert) on Calc!
Excellent software would give people and Companies a reason to leave windows for Linux.
I believe the whole Linux community and development needs to be organized. Let’s not have million groups inventing Linux distros every day but let’s make, say 10 distros that are actually able to compete with windows or Mac. Let’s get together and make CAD programs that are at least equivalent, if not better, to Solidworks, Inventor or Creo.
I’m mentioning those because it’s a field I understand something but the same goes for other fields of Science I guess.
Cheers mate. Have a good one.
Just to add up.. I DONT USE an Anti-Virus and I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1… I have been with Linux for a good number of years and I see that it doesn’t come close to Windows! Just because Linux comes with its source code, it has this “fame”…
Here’s where I disagree with you. You say any “real” windows user couldn’t make of with Linux. I submit that it’s just the opposite. You’re not a “real” windows user. You’re an atypical windows user. 90% of “real” windows users don’t use any specialized software at all.
Very few people in the grand scheme of things are engineers or doctors. Most people use their computers for day to day computing. Surfing the web. Checking emails and social media. Maybe playing a few games. Most “real” windows users would be quite happy with Linux if they tried it.
Just use what’s works for you
so what’s new in that?
Everybody use only what works for them.
You compare or not, it is already compared at market level, usability, easiness, stablity … on DAILY BASIS
I hate Linux because, to me, a computer is a means to an end, not an end in itself, kind of like a car: I don’t care how the engine works, I just want it to get me safely from point A to point B. With Windows, this happens most of the time, and even when I do have a problem, nine times out of ten it can be solved by either rebooting or uninstalling/reinstalling a program, and in the past few years, the Windows troubleshooting website has become a useful tool as well. In Linux, when you have a problem, either you’re someone with an IT background or you’re essentially doomed to spending hours trying to interpret cryptic error messages, browsing through dusty old forum posts for information vaguely relevant to your problem (and hopefully relevant to your distribution too) and trying to find your way out of a maze of dependencies, paths, permissions, broken repository links and other similar amenities. And the best part is, none of this is even remotely guaranteed to yield a solution! This would have been understandable – even tolerable perhaps – in 1995, maybe even in 2005, but in the year 2015 I fully expect software to *just work*. All of the hassle should be on the part of the developer, not of the user.
And by the way, I have a Ph.D. in Chemistry and I am a published researcher in peer-reviewed journals, and I have met many colleagues over the years who feel the same way: if people with this level of education are having trouble with Linux, then perhaps the Linux community should start thinking about coming together and making one Linux that actually works smoothly, instead of wasting energy and resources over petty sectarian pursuits that result in dozens of crude distributions that differ in ways only developers actually care about.
I agree. If anything, this post is too gentle; the more familiar I become with Linux, the clearer it is to me that Linux is an OS for programmers, computer geeks, and no one else. All the efficiency and power of Linux comes at the expense of the user — Linux fans generally miss this because to them, “expense” means an opportunity to enmesh their thoughts with the Machine: one mind, one soul, one cybernetic lifeform with asperger’s syndrome and a penguin T-shirt.
Agree Mark
Yeah! true.
Based on first point “Now think the same in Windows or Mac – One may say are you Insane? Still using Windows XP or Vista but no one will try to prove that windows 8 is better than XP and XP is more on a User Friendly side. You won’t get a fan boy in Mac as well, who is trying to jump into the discussion just to make his point sounds louder.”
– This is wrong comparison as Mac and Windows having a different version of the same OS. On Linux we have different distributions. Also I don’t think that on Windows and Mac you have different forums for each version.
On Linux there are differences on file system as well as some services are named differently. Also each distribution has it’s own default window manager which does not exist on Windows or Mac.
@ Dimi the article points to the same thing that it might be confusing at times because of availability of so many distros. Linux at some Point is confusing for general user.
@Avishek the point is that you are trying to compare the Windows and Mac OS version with Linux distributions which is wrong.
I hate linux because all I wanted from it was a system that could do these simple things:
1. Go online
2. Have music/ video
3. Support PDF
4. Have the basic office toys
5. Have Skype
That’s it. Currently, my skype broke, without explanation and all linux mint has to say is something about a libappliifahjwepfihew7365873658721356.0 -fuckme error. The linuxers online communicate in code, which sounds a bit like:
Oh! I know how to solve that! You just have to
“sudo apt-jfoaei jhfgorw8442 42ryt948fh 498ryfhgfsoieufh eshfisuhbcvisu f ufhgweoiu fgwriof iugfh weriufherw kouiwer hewoih erwovfu8yw4oi342h234h. -update ough eioru gfhof 2340”
and then
“ow8hy o83y21r823yfr28h34” and go to the directory rootsandleaves and “812698F2948H948FH2948FH249F.gz.bin.whatthefuckisthisshit 82”
And I’m just sitting there, with my jaw hitting the ground, wanting to scream at these people for being idiots. My skype is still broken and I am going to remove linux mint and never release this demon upon any of my devices. I Despise linux because it is the least functional and least user friendly shite in the universe and you gotta have a clairvoyant space brain to operate it, in addition to the patience of the Buddha.
You can easily go and buy a copy of windows 7/8 and install to your machine. You are free to choose my friend. I don’t think anyone forced you to install Linux.
Easily?
What world do you live in.
I went and dropped $100 JUST to wipe out Linux from my desktop, that I put it onto to make some attempt to save my files after Windows crashed due to my stupidity downloading a virus (couldn’t save them so that was basically worthless).
Linux sucks and claims to be “better” but it couldn’t support half the stuff I wanted it to.
WINE? It’s crap. I loaded the very same program into WINE and onto Windows, the EXACT same version, and yet the WINE version was missing several features.
Flash? Nope!
I had to dig into my system using coding on my laptop to get back my windows 8 key and then wipe out linux with that. Half of the Linux distros wouldn’t even BOOT when I tried to change from Ubuntu, which I absolutely hated.
Linux took over my portable hard drive, taking out about half of the storage without giving me any word on how to UNDO the partitions it created.
Ya Yixal,
The article tried pointing out such things only, in the post above.
Thanks for your feedback.
4) True, especially in a development environment with no direct connection to the internet. This is frequently the case in the simulation world which favors Linux.
Mesa 3D wasn’t properly installed. Get the newest version from the separate internet PC, burn it to a CD, virus scan it, copy it from the physical PC to the VM. Mesa3D needs glproto. Download, burn, scan, copy. Glproto needs libdrm. Download, burn, scan, copy. Glproto needs an updated autoconf. Download, burn, scan, copy. Autoconf needs an updated automake. Download, burn, scan, copy. Libdrm now needs Cairo. Cairo is nice enough to inform you on their website you also need pixman. Download, burn, scan, copy…
Windows? Your version of DirectX is out of date. New window. Ok, ok, agree, ok, finish.
Dependencies? You’ve just installed you 7th copy of Whatsit.dll to C:\My Software\My Program\. But guess what? You didn’t have to go to whatsit.sourceforge.net and compile it your own self.
6) Market share. Windows has Linux outmatched 56:1 for desktops. So if I am giving something away for free even I can expect to reach 56 times as many people. Or if I am actually trying to make money I can make 56 times as much. If it takes me 10 hours to port my project to Linux it has functionally cost me 560 hours. Why even pay a developer or spend my time on something that is 1.79% as effective?
Yes, the dreadful market share creates niches. You know why there is a niche? The ten guys before you looked at it, shook their head, and made something for Windows.
:) Toomod
Well said.
Thanks for your valuable feedback.
Yes, Linux does kind of suck, because it over-complicates too many things and is not user-friendly. I’ve never been much of a hero with PCs but with Windows I at least got by reasonably well. Since I started tinkering about with Linux however, around the time when XP expired, I’ve had several nightmares.
Linux Mint blew up my netbook battery so I had to buy a new one. (And I’m not using Mint anymore.)
Wine was a nightmare that I never got running.
Ubuntu has a weird desktop environment; it isn’t bad-looking and I get why they chose it (its look is similar to their up and coming tablet OS’s), but for some tasks where I have to switch between multiple windows I find it uncomfortable to use, which is why I installed the xfce-environment. Getting xfce installed and up and running, however, was a nightmare that took up a whole day (though I succeeded, thankfully).
Two days ago, I got curious and tried installing the Tor-browser, which was another whole nightmare that took up an entire day. First I tried to install using the tarball package I downloaded from their website. WTF is a tarball and how do you unpack it? I surfed around and tried to google answers, but in the end it all still remains vague, so the tarball never got successfully unpacked and I put it in the dumpster. This never would have happened if it was a simple zip or rar file.
I finally resorted to using command lines to install Tor; for the record, I never use command lines in windows, but I’ve had more than my fair share since installing linux. So after a long, long day I managed to install Tor and play around with it. I deleted Tor the very next day.
So, why, after all this pain am I still using linux? There is only one simple answer: it’s free. Money speaks and currently I don’t have any to spend on new PCs.
Would I ever recommend Linux to anyone else? Not in this form.
As I said, I’m not good with computers, but even I have people (like my parents and other relatives) depending on me for PC advise because they’re even worse than I am. And besides, they all love to go to certain websites to stream chinese series and movies, and those, as far as I know, all use windows-dependent programs (qvod, jjvod, baidu player, pps, and what-have-yous). If I recommended linux to them, I might as well let them stare at a brick wall because they wouldn’t know what to do, and neither would I.
In your case Linux wasn’t free. It depends on your definition of “all day”. Let’s just be nice to Linux and round down to four hours. Given your experience or lack thereof with Linux your “position” is an entry level one at $12/hr. Linux has just cost you $48 for no gain. You can even apply minimum wage to the cost of Linux and for the inexperienced user, which everyone starts at, Linux is anything but free. With those freed hours you can do anything. Mow the lawn or clean the pool instead of paying someone to do it, spend time with the family, or a hobby. Get a part time job? Make quaint arts and crafts or foods to sell at the local farmers market?
Dude, well said.
Keep Connected.
Iḿ a Linux beginner,but for me Printers configuration still sucks,specially the lack o f program like Brother control center
hahaha Marcello Dlas
Who is paying you? Microsoft?! I love Linux starting for the fact that I hate antivirus….one of the first things you have to do with Microsoft. With Linux I have the freedom to be free and have in my system whatever distro fits me. I put Microsoft software in a VM and that’s how I control the monster. Do your research first…instead of blaming Linux for your lack of knowledge help it to grow and get stronger. Google and Mac came out of Linux…why don’t you try to create your own…and make the world a safer and more accessible to billions who don’t have the money to pay Microsoft or Apple for using their products?!!!
No disrespect intended with my post.
Saying that you do not need anti-virus protection for Linux is a myth.
Linux can get malware (even though there is a lot less than for Windows).
However I believe almost no one who uses Linux actually uses an anti-virus (AVG has a free anti-virus for Linux), how do you have the potential to know if you do have malware or not on your Linux box?
Windows is not guaranteed to get a virus, nor is Windows necessarily easier to infect. If you run as a super-user all the time, you are asking to get hurt, regardless of what OS you are using.
@ cyberspace5000 you might be aware of the fact that windows system don’t have a strict super-user program execution permission utility as it is in Linux.
@ edgar i have experianced and hence didn’t find researching would help me much.
and microsoft don’t need to hire me after having such a big market share. I am a very sincere disciple of Linux as you are. Don’t misguide the article please. You may need to look at the comments of various users below to get the real picture.
Moreover, if you havent done anything out of box you would probably never land in the problems.
For me, No distro problems , I use slackware with his stable and KISS, then I don’t want manual compile software and manual resolved dependency , so I Use Kubuntu . I could find the distro suitable for me, And I found myself can’t leave Linux , no matter which distro
And , I was a newbe Linux user
Hi
I am CA, had some interest in Linux and BSD. I have tested and hopped around many Linux Distributions and hence, as an average end user, I give my comments to your observations.
1) Too Many Distros – making it difficult for a New Linux Users
Yes, true. I view it as a matter of options or freedom which a Linux User has.
To summarise, Linux Distros are – Debian, RPM, Gentoo, Arc and Slack based.
Each of these genes has its own merits and demerits, I would say Debian and RPM are best for an average user. Debian is lead by Ubuntu & Linux Mint, RPM is lead by Fedora, Open-Suse, CENT-OS & Mandriva. Thus the choice is between these 5 Linux Distributions, if one does some proper study. Mandriva based ones are Mageia and PC-Linux-OS. For a new Linux User, Linux Mint is the best choice.
2) Software Support – Not Available
It’s not wholly true. For instance an Android Mobile can be managed by using Chromium Browser itself. No need of a separate application. However wammu is available to handle Phone Synching with PC
There are proper open source application for every proprietary application. As you are paying no money, you have to search a bit.
3) Long Hours
Actually it is wrong, you waste time when you do not know what you do.
For instance Linux Mint takes just 45 Minutes to install and have all the additional applications I need. However if I take Windows XP or Windows 7 I need to spend some thing close to 3 Hrs. Fedora my favorite takes 1 Hour for customisation. Therefore all Linux Distributions if handled properly saves time and energy
4) Manual Work
Every OS has some manual work to be done. In windows we have to remove registries manually after uninstalling an application. We have to defragment disks at frequent intervel. Get some cyclic redundancy error at times and have to lose files. Work at Linux is really fruitful, it gives both knowledge and power
5) Virtual World
Any person who uses some intellect is always commented to be one who lives in a Virtual World. It’s general… Intellects gives a new world from their inside mind.
Yours
VN
I agree only with point #2
Important software is missing/unsupported for Linux
1 Adobe Flash (editor)
2 audio editor
3 video editor
That’s why Linux has been doing excellent as servers, backup systems, and mobile devices. We never edit audio/video on servers, NAS, or mobile devices, etc.
30% of servers run Linux
100% of Network Attached Storage(that I know of) run Linux
84% of mobile devices run Android linux. & I believe Firefox OS and Tizen will probably gain another 5-10% usage for Linux
First off, I have to say that this whole article was very poorly written. I understand that English may not be the writer’s primary language. However if you are going to write an article in any Language about any product, it would stand to reason that if you wish to be taken seriously, you take the time to make sure that your diction, grammar, etc is correct.
Ok, that said, to address the major points in this article, I have to say that the whole thing is pointless. Linux is not perfect, it probably never will be. Yet still with all of it’s shortcomings I can say with the assurance of someone who has been an ardent user for the past 16 years that it is a far sight better than any other single OS on the planet.
The complaints in this article are the same as those that I have heard from people way back in my early Linux days when they actually had merit. To spout on about these now is just silly IMO. Long hours of compiling? WTF? I haven’t had to compile any package on any of my 10+ Linux systems in years. I haven’t compiled a kernel in just as long.
As far as configuration, you will spend far more time configuring a system running another OS than a distro of Linux. Unless you are running some specialized obscure configuration that requires a lot of tweaking, and in that case your complaints don’t apply to the majority of users out there.
Choice is never a bad thing. I know there are companies that would love for you to believe that one-size-fits-all even when it doesn’t, but Linux was never intended to be pigeon-holed like the commercial OSen. Diversity is a great thing. An unfortunate side-effect of this is that you are going to have certain factions that feel that their particular flavor is better than the rest in all circumstances, just like in any other diverse culture.
If I can impart something I’ve come to embrace after sometime in this community….Linux may be a distro, but the distro isn’t Linux. I know people throw the word Linux around left and right, but to be totally honest, Linux is just the kernel. You can’t run a computer system on Linux alone. Each distribution based on the Linux kernel is, for all intents and purposes, an Operating System unto itself.
My point? Well, I guess it’s that each distro has its own merits that can meet the needs of its userbase. If one distro isn’t working for you, then try another. I can personally attest to the fact that I have had plenty of instances where one distro completely failed for me whereas another would work right out of the box. I would say in your case that if you find yourself doing alot of this compiling, configuring and tweaking, that you probably aren’t using the best distro for your situation.
Other than that, great article! :-)
What I found from discussion :
GNU Distros MTP LSB Read/Write/Execute
/usr /opt /var
CLI … etc.
In my humble opinion, this is already hard for normal people to understand what they are.
And it’s not fun for normal people to understand a lot of these cryptic words/names to use Linux.
Personally, I found these words are hard for non English native.
“sudo” what is that really mean? why not just “superuser/admin” ?
I understand that it’s ” Super User Do”, but why there’s no straightforward alternatives and lower the barrier when we could ? This doesn’t look like what freedom should be.
Regards,
Infinite
I started using Linux long ago. And because I didn’t want to pay for OS support ;), I started writing down how to solve issues on Linux a few years back:
http://oldpapyrus.wordpress.com/
Everything you wrote seemed so cosmetic and yesterday’s!
If the interviewer didn’t know that CentOS and Debian aren’t that different then it’s probably a good thing you didn’t get that job. Imagine what else they don’t know.
I agree with you on:
2 – APPLICATIONS: Yeap! Flash and Silverlight makes what you say completely true!
P.S. New Web Standards will soon became really “standards”….
4 – DEPENDENCIES: That is simply a nightmare! Unless the application you want is in the official repos you are screwed! forget it …
P.S. Apps should be as standalone as it can be!… No more medieval dependencies!
5 – MANUAL WORK: Most of the manual work is necessary when you need to mess with Proprietary Drivers or trying to figure out n°4….
P.S. They are getting better, only time will “fix” it…..
“Avishek Kumar. I am a major in computer science, love to research nix. ”
Please research before posting. Much appreciated. All the best.
For some reason the most negative writers aboutGNU/ Linux (or other things discussed on the internet) are also the least literate. Is there a connection?
I agree with The Advocate. I can’t see the point to this article : it’s not even an open debate, and this article merely seems to share a very, very, old user experience (like in 10 years ago). And from 10 years ago to nowadays , I can’t even remember to have encouter such annoyances described here, except maybe for point 2 (which can be overcome looking at alternatives software).
I had never, ever, not even once, meet a linux user as arrogant as described in point 3 (and even so, looks like a character problem to me, not somehing specific to a linux user).
Maybe it’s time for the author to switch country. And fast at that :/
You should really write in your native tongue and have a professional translate your article.
This is very badly written in English.
You call yourself a sys admin, yet complaining about noob things.You said you visit several online forum . You collect your complaints from outdated threads, right ? A newbe take ubuntu-mint-etc, route without any problem , while advanced user enjoy CLI . Please sound like either a newbe or an ADMIN.
OK why is an article that was obviously written in 2008 being published as current??? Half of what is written above is so false and out of date its sickening. Has the author EVER actually used Linux? It doesnt look like it.
I started my experience with Linux by dual-booting it with Windows . Then i started using Linux almost exclusively, only logging into windows to update my anti-virus because if left a few days without update, then updating it becomes a pain in the ***. This morning I fired my desktop to do the usual ritual of updating my windows anti-virus, then normally restart into Ubuntu right away. But an idea occurred to me while still in windows: to mirror two external hard drives using a powerful (my opinion) program called syncbackfree. During the process the program gave me an error. I investigated the problem and discovered that the culprit was a pdf file created in Linux and whose name contained a colon. Windows cannot handle file names that include colons (and a few other characters \ / : * ? ” | ). I tried to rename or delete the file but windows wouldn’t allow it. I also discovered this morning that windows couldn’t read files created in Linux without their extensions. For windows the file extention is crucial if you want it to be read automatically. In Linux things are much more simpler. By the way I logged into Linux to rename the afore-mentioned file so that windows can make sense out of it, and to mirror my external hard drives using a Linux program called freefilesync without a problem. I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m just sharing an ordinay user’s day-to-day experience with both systems: Windows and Linux.
Over a 34 year long and unbroken career, I have had to deal with whatever OS the job demanded on any hardware platform.
There has been over a dozen – to name some
Burroughs TC500/310 OS, Unix on PDP-11, Univac OS3/OS4, VS/9, IBM OS/2, AIX, VM, MVS, z/OS, z/VM, Sun Solaris 7, 8 , 9 , 10, Linux on Mainframes and Sun SPARC, Amdahl UTS on Mainframes, etc.
Where’s the problem with Linux?
i have some serious issues with what you said… most is factless and baseless:
1. Choice is a problem? For new users and those i have moved from windows to LInux, I recommend an Ubuntu type distro. The exact one is usually based on what they were doing in windows. I recommend Linux Mint Mate 17 currently for almost anyone. My wife preferred Ubuntu Gnome on her laptop and on the htpc. My son and my dad prefer Mint Mate. I work for a global company, and we do not have these conversations.
2. that software that samsung puts on and others are crap. I have had to rebuild more than one windows pc because of that crap. I just mtp for windows or adb. Adb is in the repos for ubuntu. No gaming support? Ever heard of Steam? I have about 106 games in Steam that are linux and out of 600 windows Steam games, 74% work in crossover with no issues. Red Herring. 99% of the users out there could care less about photoshop or pro video editing.
3. what are you ranting about?
4. This was a problem 10 years ago, but havent been a problem for a long time. You do not have a windows box do you? Dependency hell is non existent for 99% of the linux users out there.
5. uhh… What is so freaking hard about getting a prompt to install driver and selecting the driver… click next … then reboot? I do that for every one of the ubuntu derivatives. I havent had to do that crap you describe for 5 years or more. Maybe you should try a modern distro? On my win 7 partition, i downloaded the nvidia driver, rebooted and it never came back. Sorry… I have much worse issues with drivers in windows than i ever had in Linux.
I really hope you dont believe what you wrote because you are completely wrong and sound like a windows apologist. I have worked on Windows since 3.1, MSDOS 5.1, Mac since OS 6, LInux since redhat 5 (not rhel 5) starting in 1995.) Including all forms of Unix, as400, etc. By far the one that is the hardest to work on today is windows. I have many friends and family asking me to put Mint on their systems. And you know why? Because it does everything they need and is much easier.
He is right about the dependency thing, or at least in Debain. Although it is rare, occasionally packages I try to install from a repository have unmet dependencies due to changes of package names and package upgrades and stuff like that.
Please note that I mean no disrespect with my replies.
Reply to #1: The choice of choosing between the many Linux distributions can be a problem for someone. Some people may not like Ubuntu or Linux Mint. They may get confused when choosing. Remember not every new Linux desktop user is tech-savvy. Most of them (if they did not want to use Windows) would probably be better off using MacOS X.
Reply to #2: Games support for Linux is nothing like it is for Windows. Any serious gamer will either have a game console and/or have a Windows box to play games on.
Also, I disagree 100% with the “…99% of the users out there could care less about photoshop…” comment. I would say the majority of the users *would* want to use Photoshop and would not like the fact that there is no official support from Adobe for Photoshop on Linux.
Reply to #4: Dependency problems really depend upon what you are installing. If you are installing a software program that is up-to-date and makes use of several popular dependencies you should be ok.
However if you are installing some unpopular software program making use of a ton of dependencies, then you probably will have dependency problems with installing that piece of software. Summary: It depends upon what Linux distribution you are using and what software you are installing and what you already have installed on your Linux machine.
Reply to #5: Using a command terminal to start the install of a driver is very un-user-friendly.
“By far the one that is the hardest to work on today is windows.”
Actually in my experience, Windows is a whole lot easier to work with than Linux.
P.S. I use Windows, Linux (Android on my cellphone, a router, and media computer), and FreeBSD (a UNIX OS; for a router), so I am not a Windows fanboy.
Nice post.
I started compiling my own kernels some 10 years ago, although I rarely have need to do that anymore.
Dependency problems are not so much of an issue for me these days, although I will admit that I am more of a Debian / Centos user. One aspect that is a major bug bear for me though is that of your repository sources disappearing or being moved or renamed. This seems to happen a lot and is badly managed by some distros (in an automated sense), in my opinion. When your sources all of a sudden stop working, you have to google the hell out of it before you find out what happened (and some new sources).
Earlier, when you said “The tone of him, was a bit racist, it is spread-ed all over.” Do you mean racist in a racial sense or disto-flavour racism? If you mean in distr-flavour, then racist is not really the word you want :-) Perhaps distroist or just ‘narrow-minded’!?
The first thing to remember with ANY Operating System is that it was, most likely, designed to be generalist in nature, in order to appeal to the widest possible range of users. GNU/Linux has been deployed on everything from appliances to watches to Super-Computers – more and further than anything else. This is important, because it means that it is filled with design compromises. Before anyone starts “knocking” an OS, it’s important that they understand what they are…
OK, having said that…
Several foundational aspects of Linux originate from the first days of Unix. In the modern age they are no longer necessary, but we cling to them as though they are mandatory. I would like to see Linux gradually evolve away from them, to become simpler, neater, more streamlined and more powerful.
1. Partitions.
When Unix was born, hard drives had *tiny* capacities – not enough to hold the OS – so it was designed to mount multiple hard drives to have enough space to run. Hence partitions. Now we have hard drives that run to Terabytes, RAID arrays that go further. We don’t need partitions any more. Can we elegantly manage these away please?
2. Logical Access
The Unix/Linux security model has not changed in 50 years, yet our development of tools and utilities surely has – massively. Can we please have a ground-up re-write of the security model. First, can we introduce a more granular file system level of security? “Read/Write/Execute” are a start, but can we consider “Traverse” [for directories], “List”, for Dirs and Files, “Delete” for Dirs and Folders, etc.
3. Conformity
If Linux has one Achilles’ Heel, it is the fact that it was designed with so much freedom in mind. Application developers are free to use the OS pretty much as they wish… As a result we see a wide range of different approaches from developers. Most store binaries in /usr, but some (IBM, for example) use /opt… Many store profile data in user profiles in /home. but others use /var. The Linux community attempted to address this through LSB – the Linux Standards Base – but IMHO this doesn’t go far enough. To make computers easier to understand we should try and make them simpler… which means more consistency. I love the way Linux does most of this – config files done properly are *way* better than a “Registry”, for instance – but there is a way to go yet. So I think more effort spent defining and then following a consistent configuration approach would reap dividends….
It is true. You obviously have superior linux knowledge compared to me, but at my level I find there are things that keep me from doing a complete switch to Linux. My primary reason is lack of Photoshop. I know I can used VirtualBox, but then I have to buy a copy of Windows. Why do that when I already have a Windows computer?
Another thing that bites is lack of being able to watch Netflix. Yes, there are ways shown online, but what a pain!
I’ve only used a few distos, but honestly none are truly polished to the extent of Windows or Mac. If even one distro could become super polished and awesome, it may bring Linux into the mainstream spotlight. Ubuntu is probably the most polished that I have seen, but still needs some work.
The good outweighs the bad. It’s only a matter of time before Linux takes over the world.
LinuxMin17 is pretty polished. Aside from that, the idea is for a desktop to work… how much polish is required for that?
I use Linux Mint 17. It is a fine distro, but it definitely isn’t as polished as a commercial operating system such as Windows. I like Linux a lot, and use it much more than I’ve ever used Windows 8.1 on my computer (I’d estimate I use Linux 15-25 times more than Windows). But it has flaws, too. On my laptop, KDE refuses to sleep when I close the lid, and NetworkManager won’t connect to my wireless automatically in anything other than KDE (I also have XFCE, LXDE, Fluxbox, and IceWM).
Hi! Nice article :)
I’m a Linux enthusiast. Love to play with it, sometimes even make it my primary OS.
But one thing that really makes me angry – is when you need to manually configure such a basic things as trackpad/touchpad! I think that such things should work out of the box!?
I am not talking about some special settings – palm detect, sensitivity, turning trackpad of when typing…
But anyway, Linux is really great for learning all kinds of IT things!
The thing is…
-Wait, choice is a problem? Yes, there are alot of distributions, but that number goes down if you look for freedom-respecting distributions, a la http://www.gnu.org/distros/
Even then, just ask a friend or someone that uses GNU/Linux; “Hey, what distro you use?” and just go with it. I’ve had quite a few people ask me this for that very reason.
-You can connect any Android phone to a GNU/Linux PC using MTP, which is the default setting on many phones. I’ve been able to connect my phones (GS4, LGEnact) to my PC by selecting MTP instead of Install Suite.
-All of the important freedom-respecting software supports GNU/Linux; what else- other than games (Well, there are plenty of wonderful FOSS games) are we missing? The only other example you give is the Android thing…
-Dependency solution; this is a problem YOU have experienced, as you certainly aren’t the general consumer. General consumer opens up Synaptic, GNOME Software, or Ubuntu Software Center and install applications. Bam. No dependency problems.
-Manual work; sometimes people horridly ruin their GNU/Linux or Windows installs… In GNU/Linux, they can ask someone to fix it. In many situations, MSFT support will just say “Make a fresh install of Windows.” To which you say “But what about my files?”
Besides, if you buy GNU/Linux compatible hardware such as the Dell PCs with Ubuntu, or System76 PCs, or System76 PCs, you’ll never run into driver problems. Period. From my past few years of using GNU/Linux I haven’t had any driver issues thanks to checking if my PC is compatible with GNU/Linux. :)
4 & 5 are totally false. Lack of those is a major reason why I prefer Linux.
3 Just don’t understand what you are trying to say here.