Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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"This Linux thing is better than normal computers" (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 day ago by fhein@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

45 comments fedilink hide all child comments

A few years ago my wife and I built a computer out of old parts for her friend's then 10 years old son. Last month we were visiting them, and I heard the wife's friend say something funny that I thought I'd share with you.

They live on the other side of the city, this was the kid's first computer, and his mom doesn't have much computer experience either, so our goal was to build something that was easy to use and hard to break from the beginning. Originally I choose ElementaryOS since it seemed to fit the bill, but after a year or two it turned out that it couldn't be upgraded to a new major version without a full reinstall so it got stuck with an older version. We didn't visit that often, and the kid's games still worked so it wasn't a major issue until Factorio broke due to glibc incompatibility.

When his birthday was coming up last month we bought him a SSD to make the computer a little bit zippier without a major upgrade, and I thought I'd give him a brand new Linux experience too, so I asked for advice here and in the end chose Bazzite. While I was helping the kid with the installation, I overheard his mom saying in the other room:

This Linux thing.. We've never had any problems with it, he just clicks something to install it and it works. Unlike normal computers, where you always have to do things and fix them.

Perhaps not the most eloquent, but I consider it a very good review.

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[–] TrickDacy@lemmy.world 3 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 19 hours ago) (1 children)

You're right that most people don't use the RE. That was a bad example I guess.

The point of my question is this though: as pointed out in the original post, maintaining windows is no easy lift. To the point that your average user knows and hates the constant windows update process, and needs an "IT guy" in their life to help them overcome the hurdles which will arise. The idea that windows just works is a fallacy. Also same with Mac (or linux), but honestly? To a large degree linux can be that way for most users most of the time. Probably even more so than macs as long as it's a good setup to begin with (the right distro, the software installed the user needs). Most people just need a browser. And it's not without challenges just to keep even that running on windows. I'm aware of zero linux distros which force updates and even if you seek them out and install them, they aren't very disruptive 99% of the time.

[–] thedruid@lemmy.world 1 points 15 hours ago

yeah., I think end of the day. its really about personal preference. I prefer linux because I am done with corporations controlling and ruining my life