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Switching from macOS: The Basics

blog.elementary.io

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Re: Switching from macOS: The Basics

#61

Post by pmlnr »

aorth wrote: post #15

Yes, the Elementary team has been doing great work for years. Sad that it's all parallel to the efforts of the larger GNOME Desktop project. I don't know how much code gets shared between the two, but I cringe to think that Elementary is dragging along a suitcase full of patches! Some of their apps are forks, while others are written from scratch to fit their design (UI/UX/simplicity) goals. I think their decision to…

> Sad that it's all parallel to the efforts of the larger GNOME Desktop project.

That is why open source is still a thing: because of available choices.

Re: Switching from macOS: The Basics

#62

Post by kybernetyk »

toyg wrote: post #53
kybernetyk wrote: post #33

So I went to their main page to download an ISO to give it a try in a VM. They hid the download button really well: You have to type in "0" into the "how much you'd like to pay" field for the "Purchase" button to change to "Download". I mean I understand that open source projects need funding. But if you want people to try your niche OS at least make it obvious how to download it. Ask for money later after people had…

This is a long-standing criticism of Elementary. I think they initially didn't even provide a way to get a free download, and eventually settled for the current UI. Basically the founder-owner is adamant that someone has to pay for his time, and tbh I don't begrudge him.

Oh, I don't begrudge him either.

I run a small software company myself. We're selling our software on the internet. But our website focuses on getting people to download the free trial first. The "asking for money" is then done once the trial period ends.

It's already hard to get people to download your stuff for free. With obviously visible download buttons.

If we did what Elementary is doing we would be closing our shop rather soon.

Re: Switching from macOS: The Basics

#63

Post by michaelgrafl »

truncate wrote: post #42
toyg wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Linux world should really get together and bang out a solution for the hiDPI problem that is consistent across X servers and window managers.

Most apps I use on Ubuntu work well on hidpi. The main problem I face is when I connect my laptop with 4k screen with some external monitor with 2k or 1080p display.

A couple of years or so ago, I managed to "solve" this issue in Ubuntu 14.04, if I remember correctly. I somehow figured out how to drive Unity at 162% scaling for my XPS 13 and scale it down to 100% for my external display. There definitely were some artefacts, but it basically worked.

I'm sorry to say though, that I don't remember how I did it, since I've been using mainly macOS and Windows for quite some time now.

Re: Switching from macOS: The Basics

#65

Post by endisukaj »

toyg wrote: post #53
kybernetyk wrote: post #33

So I went to their main page to download an ISO to give it a try in a VM. They hid the download button really well: You have to type in "0" into the "how much you'd like to pay" field for the "Purchase" button to change to "Download". I mean I understand that open source projects need funding. But if you want people to try your niche OS at least make it obvious how to download it. Ask for money later after people had…

This is a long-standing criticism of Elementary. I think they initially didn't even provide a way to get a free download, and eventually settled for the current UI. Basically the founder-owner is adamant that someone has to pay for his time, and tbh I don't begrudge him.

Considering how Elementary is a skin on top of Ubuntu with some shiny icons and animations...

No thank you, I'd rather use Mint or Ubuntu if I want an easy distro.

Re: Switching from macOS: The Basics

#66

Post by driverdan »

Freak_NL wrote: post #59
anondon wrote: post #12

The software is there, but what about the hardware to go with it? The only laptops comparable to Macbook Pro hardware quality and battery life are the Dell XPS series and the Thinkpad X1. I feel there is a serious shortage of good laptops with linux pre-installed that the non-technical user can pickup and start using.

System76 is a solid choice (I love my four year old Gazelle, with 16Gb or RAM from the start), although ordering a laptop there is slightly cumbersome if you are living outside of North America. https://system76.com/laptops The build quality of their offerings seems to get better with each successive generation too, and of course everything works out of the box. I just wish they would partner with someone in the EU;…

Those are nowhere near comparable to a MBP. Plastic, thick, heavy. No thanks.

Re: Switching from macOS: The Basics

#67

Post by JonnieCache »

Freak_NL wrote: post #59
anondon wrote: post #12

The software is there, but what about the hardware to go with it? The only laptops comparable to Macbook Pro hardware quality and battery life are the Dell XPS series and the Thinkpad X1. I feel there is a serious shortage of good laptops with linux pre-installed that the non-technical user can pickup and start using.

System76 is a solid choice (I love my four year old Gazelle, with 16Gb or RAM from the start), although ordering a laptop there is slightly cumbersome if you are living outside of North America. https://system76.com/laptops The build quality of their offerings seems to get better with each successive generation too, and of course everything works out of the box. I just wish they would partner with someone in the EU;…

What makes system76 laptops better than the XPS 13?

Re: Switching from macOS: The Basics

#68

Post by bborud »

It wasn't the UI that got me using macs. In fact the UI was a pain in the neck since it couldn't do what my Linux window managers could do. And I kinda liked how I had my WM set up.

It was the fact that software I needed was available on Mac and I didn't want to use Windows.

Re: Switching from macOS: The Basics

#70

Post by aq3cn »

Is there a place where I can directly ask experts or experienced users about alternative apps of my need. I have been making my mind about complete switch but few of the most used apps from Mac holds me back. I wish someone can suggest me a decent alternative to those apps. I must also add that I will lose several licenses of purchased apps in the process but I am willing to make that sacrifice. I wish I could find a reliable way to keep running those apps in VM.
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