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I switched to Linux after using Windows for 10 years

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Re: I switched to Linux after using Windows for 10 years

#41

Post by ploxiln »

nxc18 wrote: post #16

Lots of inaccurate info in here but also some valid points. UWP sucks really bad and it does reduce the reliability of the system, especially when UWP-type things end up in the shell (e.g. start menu and action center). I will point out that File Explorer includes a shortcut for opening PowerShell at the current directory, which can be triggered through the File menu or alt-f-r. Its worth highlighting that Linux isn'…

I've long avoided "switchable graphics", for this reason. The complexity breeds issues. Be happy with just intel graphics, or go for an AMD/radeon, to improve your chances of not running into bugs/incompatibilities. Modern graphics are just such a monster of complexity, change, variety, secrecy, etc.

(I'm going to venture a guess that the "kernel update [can] render the system unbootable" is due to nvidia binary-blob driver needing some glue code to both update and recompile for new kernel versions ... it can work fine, usually, but for best experience, skip the hassle of nvidia on linux, or keep it as simple and vanilla as possible with a distro that takes care of it for you I guess.)

Re: I switched to Linux after using Windows for 10 years

#42

Post by olyjohn »

LoSboccacc wrote: post #21
david422 wrote: post #8

I switched to Ubuntu on my main machine a few years ago. This is my second attempt. There are still some annoyances I run into, the biggest being that the dock regularly disappears after sleep. How would I ever set my parents up on something where even the most basic features require fixes like this https://leimao.github.io/blog/Ubuntu-Dock-Disappear/ ?

yeah the first period after switching to Linux is almost always ok-ish, sometimes even pleasant, depending on one's specific use case. then you live trough your first pulse audio upgrade. or maybe you have to bring a laptop in two wireless location with slightly different network configs. or it's just a distro upgrade where the default filesystem changed and they dropped the older fs kernel module. or you have a seco…

Yeah and consistently there seems to be a bad Windows Update that breaks a whole bunch of stuff... Not sure if people are just used to Windows being a piece of shit, or if we are holding the Linux desktop to a higher standard.

Re: I switched to Linux after using Windows for 10 years

#43

Post by pmoriarty »

andrepd wrote: post #30
david422 wrote: post #8

I switched to Ubuntu on my main machine a few years ago. This is my second attempt. There are still some annoyances I run into, the biggest being that the dock regularly disappears after sleep. How would I ever set my parents up on something where even the most basic features require fixes like this https://leimao.github.io/blog/Ubuntu-Dock-Disappear/ ?

I suggest Linux Mint. Stable Ubuntu derivative with a sane, "just-works" desktop environment (Cinnamon).

What if I don't want any desktop environment, but just want to run the i3 window manager?

Re: I switched to Linux after using Windows for 10 years

#45

Post by nxc18 »

131012 wrote: post #26
nxc18 wrote: post #16

Lots of inaccurate info in here but also some valid points. UWP sucks really bad and it does reduce the reliability of the system, especially when UWP-type things end up in the shell (e.g. start menu and action center). I will point out that File Explorer includes a shortcut for opening PowerShell at the current directory, which can be triggered through the File menu or alt-f-r. Its worth highlighting that Linux isn'…

Anecdotal, but I never had a single issue with kernel update and I manage many ubuntu machines. Got a link/proof/more info on that?

I'm running Windows now after trying to switch my primary device to Ubuntu periodically for the last 5 years... I've been experimenting with Ubuntu since 2007 and none of my devices have been able to run it well. If you've got a basic setup or don't want a graphical environment, things are fine, but I think I tend to push the limit a bit too much

In my case I also need KVM etc. On Windows I just use Hyper-V when I need a VM (many years ago I'd use Virtual PC). Hyper-V has never rendered my device unusable, even when pushing the limits with things like GPU pass through. I think my 2018 attempt failed when trying to update Ubuntu kernel after setting up KVM for a Windows VM; I had restarted between getting KVM set up and doing the Ubuntu update.

I haven't documented anything - I wanted to but I never really found the solutions I was looking for. I'm not making this up; I'd really love to be typing this from Ubuntu right now.

edit: I reviewed and made changes for a more constructive tone.

Re: I switched to Linux after using Windows for 10 years

#46

Post by tenebrisalietum »

MeinBlutIstBlau wrote: post #40

I love Linux, but it's still got a long ways to go before becoming an reliable desktop OS. For most people they could easily use it. However the moment they gotta hop in terminal kills it for them. Linux is great if you know how to fix your problem or look in the right direction. My main beef with it is driver support. It's far better than it was 10 years ago but nobody wants to be dealing with that. It's annoying. I…

I love Windows, but it's still got a long ways to go before becoming an reliable desktop OS. For most people they could easily use it. However the moment updates don't install correctly kills it for them. Windows is great if you never shut down your computer during an update or always give them the time to apply.

My main beef with it is the telemetry and inconsistent UI. It's far better than it was 10 years ago but nobody wants to be dealing with that. It's annoying. I can deal with program crashes or some minor feature not working right. I can't deal with random UI changes, random resetting of settings, and uploading usage data behind my back.

Windows will always just be a tool (slowly becoming an integrated Azure client) to me and nothing more. It's a great fleshed out customizable-as-Microsoft-allows tool. But it is hardly what it needs to be to quit non-creatives from migrating to iPads and smartphones.

Re: I switched to Linux after using Windows for 10 years

#47

Post by butz »

nendroid wrote: post #27

One thing (out of many) I always hated about linux is the upgrades. I have to reinstall the entire operating system just to upgrade. I'm using manjaro now, I want see what happens when there's a big version change.

Sorry for ruining the surprise, but Manjaro uses a Rolling Release Development Model, so big version change probably won't happen.

Re: I switched to Linux after using Windows for 10 years

#48

Post by lostmsu »

131012 wrote: post #26
nxc18 wrote: post #16

Lots of inaccurate info in here but also some valid points. UWP sucks really bad and it does reduce the reliability of the system, especially when UWP-type things end up in the shell (e.g. start menu and action center). I will point out that File Explorer includes a shortcut for opening PowerShell at the current directory, which can be triggered through the File menu or alt-f-r. Its worth highlighting that Linux isn'…

Anecdotal, but I never had a single issue with kernel update and I manage many ubuntu machines. Got a link/proof/more info on that?

I had it a few times. This used to happen when kernels fill up boot partition, and apt gets into broken state because of that.

Re: I switched to Linux after using Windows for 10 years

#49

Post by wdqwfdqwfqwf »

unnouinceput wrote: post #33

Quote1: "For example, just compare the file manager application on both Ubuntu and Windows." Both defaults are crap. I use Total Commander / Double Commander on Win/Lin. Quote2: "Linux still has a few (~2%) market share in the general-purpose users' segment compared to Windows. Therefore, there are not so many malicious programs that target Linux users" Ah yeah, the famous security through obscurity. I think I prefer…

Indeed, Desktop-Linux doesn't offer much in terms of security.

APIs to restrict applications accessing your user data? Sandboxing for GUI applications? A secure GUI path, i.e., something where you can trust that this kind of window is not malicious software but your OS? Biometrics? (making non-techies into using some authentication at all)

Re: I switched to Linux after using Windows for 10 years

#50

Post by whateveracct »

I've started using NixOS as my primary OS. Lots of rough edges - both due to Linux and then NixOS on top. But the immutable nature of it has made it so easy for me to fearlessly hack around. And once I solve something, I immortalize it in code that I check into git.

Upgrades (both NixOS and kernel) are also fearless and trivial to roll back.

It's really nice to declaratively manage stuff like NVIDIA drivers (w/Prime), udev, printer drivers, etc. Much nicer than running commands and getting my computer in a stable state that I hopefully never mess up.

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