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My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

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Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#191

Post by freeqaz »

sedatk wrote: post #181

The first time I needed to install Linux on my computer was last week because Wireshark didn’t support 802.11 packet capture on Windows or WSL. So, I installed Ubuntu on my Surface Laptop 3, and my experience had been quite terrible. (Disclaimer: I’m a former Windows engineer, but I’ve also been using Linux since Slackware 3 occasionally) * Setup started in 100% HiDPI scaling, making everything impossible to read. Ev…

A lot of that is based on the hardware that you're using it on. If you want to run Linux and go out of your way to find the right hardware (like an Ubuntu certified model[0]) then your experience will be pretty darn close.

Fingerprint login, graphics scaling, sleep, and everything works out of the box on the Thinkpad I bought for my non-technical GF to run Ubuntu on. (She installed it herself!)

0: https://ubuntu.com/certified/laptops

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#192

Post by Caligatio »

et1337 wrote: post #120
hypeatei wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh man, the absolute clusterfuck of settings screens is irritating. OS settings interface isn't a fucking micro service project; it's like technically, yes, they're updating the same things underneath but I don't want to spend mental energy thinking about the best way to update network settings in

To be fair, I still have no idea how to set the DNS server on an Ubuntu server in a way that won’t get wiped out on reboot. Is it resolv.conf? Nope, that’s generated by another tool. systemd-resolve? I think that’s getting closer… network manager? By the time I figure it out they’ll add another one to the pile.

The network config for out-of-the-box Ubuntu server has been stable for 6 years. You need to modify netplan's config: /etc/netplan/*.yaml (default is 00-installer-config.yaml). This renders volatile systemd-networkd configs in /run/systemd/network which, in turn, will configure systemd-resolved appropriately.

If you've opted out of netplan, then you need to configure one of systemd-networkd or NetworkManager manually (on server, NetworkManager is only present if you've installed it).

I personally used to be opposed to netplan but I had to do some very esoteric network configuration which was super easy with netplan.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#193

Post by Arainach »

sedatk wrote: post #181

The first time I needed to install Linux on my computer was last week because Wireshark didn’t support 802.11 packet capture on Windows or WSL. So, I installed Ubuntu on my Surface Laptop 3, and my experience had been quite terrible. (Disclaimer: I’m a former Windows engineer, but I’ve also been using Linux since Slackware 3 occasionally) * Setup started in 100% HiDPI scaling, making everything impossible to read. Ev…

>As I understand, fast fractional scaling is impossible with Linux because fractional scaling is a bitmap operation while it’s just a rendering parameter on Windows.

Windows, like every modern operating system 2006 or newer, has a graphics compositor to do basic things like allow GPU-accelerated window stretching, prevent screen tearing, and so on (OS X had one slightly earlier). Meanwhile while Linux has had multiple modern attempts to build a composited graphics stack (Compiz, Wayland) certain very vocal elements of the Linux community complain about any attempt to build a graphical stack you can't send via carrier pigeon and have dragged their feet or otherwise thwarted wide(r) adoption.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#194

Post by skydhash »

msm_ wrote: post #175
rsanheim wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This illustrates just how ridiculously screwed up Windows is now. No one should have to resort to registry hacking or the many scripts or hacks available to regain control over basic UX, privacy, or usability selections. It is absolutely absurd.

To be fair, Linux configuration is not exactly straightforward in comparison to Windows. Dozens of obscure config files (each with a different syntax), stored in various random places in the filesystem, with the general expectation that every user should be able to run a terminal command once in a while to fix something. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Linux lover and user, but from an outside perspective Windows registry…

> Dozens of obscure config files (each with a different syntax), stored in various random places in the filesystem, with the general expectation that every user should be able to run a terminal command once in a while to fix something.

The good thing is that explanations is often a `man` command away, and the location of these files is often listed in the same place. Also general computing is an expert subject. You may as well have a kiosk if you start hiding away capabilities. The expectation to drop to a terminal is often because the terminal is the fastest way to get things done.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#195

Post by oleg_antonyan »

karaterobot wrote: post #60

People don't switch operating systems at the drop of a hat. There's got to be a pretty good reason for it. All the people switching away from Windows, those are probably users that are lost to Microsoft forever. I get that their money comes from other places, but I bet there's a second-order effect of people who don't use Windows—maybe even people who now hate Windows—not having any desire stick with their other prod…

Switched to Linux in Windows' "golden age" - XP. Never looked back. There's one thing that reminds me that old Windows - cloud providers. Their configuration in UI looks a lot like group policies on Windows. Every time I have to deal with those IAM permissions in Google Cloud I get flashbacks, except now the UI is much slower

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#196

Post by arwineap »

msm_ wrote: post #175
rsanheim wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This illustrates just how ridiculously screwed up Windows is now. No one should have to resort to registry hacking or the many scripts or hacks available to regain control over basic UX, privacy, or usability selections. It is absolutely absurd.

To be fair, Linux configuration is not exactly straightforward in comparison to Windows. Dozens of obscure config files (each with a different syntax), stored in various random places in the filesystem, with the general expectation that every user should be able to run a terminal command once in a while to fix something. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Linux lover and user, but from an outside perspective Windows registry…

While those configs are different in syntax, each is meant to be read, edited and backed up by a human. All of the system config files are in /etc

Registry hacking, with all it's resets and duplicate keys is hard to backup, constantly reverts ( because m$ doesn't believe it to be user editable) and is a pain in the ass to back up and restore.

Oh yes, and is your registry value supposed to be a dword, or something else? No way to tell.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#197

Post by arwineap »

userbinator wrote: post #179
giantrobot wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Until some update resets all those values behind your back.

Would MS dare to do that to their enterprise customers who make up the majority of their Windows license revenue?

Routinely.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#198

Post by AlotOfReading »

lokar wrote: post #182
AlotOfReading wrote: post #166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Macbooks won't apply updates unless you leave them plugged in overnight. If you do the totally normal thing of not charging a full battery, you get to enjoy the riveting experience of watching a slow update screen 30 minutes after you next use it.

I always leave mine plugged in (and connected to a monitor, etc)

It's okay if our usage is different. I like keeping mine in a bag when it's not needed. That shouldn't be an unreasonable place to keep a laptop.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#199

Post by archerx »

userbinator wrote: post #179
giantrobot wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Until some update resets all those values behind your back.

Would MS dare to do that to their enterprise customers who make up the majority of their Windows license revenue?

Yes, absolutely, they couldn’t care less.

Re: My Windows Computer Just Doesn't Feel Like Mine Anymore

#200

Post by ilayn »

wvenable wrote: post #39
OptionOfT wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks! But I don't want to disable driver updates. I just don't want it to install older versions.

Maybe they know something that you don't or it's just a glitch.

Nope same for me with intel drivers. Intel update utility recommends one, installs it.

Leave computer idle windows rolls it back in the night to a driver from 2021.

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