Do you run Linux - if not why?

Mobeer

Used Ubuntu on a couple of machines for a few years. Gave up in the end. Too many problems, too many online solutions that were only for old or different versions.

esuhl

There are so many different GNU/Linux distributions with different philosophies and intended audiences that it's not surprising that some people try ONE distro and decide they don't like it.


I (and several less-techie friends) have tried the wave of "user-friendly" GNU/Linux distros, like Ubuntu and Mint, and no one I know likes them. They're too bloated, ugly, hard to configure, poorly documented, and unreliable.


Ubuntu/Mint are aimed at Windows user trying GNU/Linux for the first time who want an "easy to use" OS. The thing is... "easy to use" is what Windows does best. If that's what you want, why not stick with Windows?


I run Arch Linux because it is super-fast, lightweight, rock-solidly reliable, elegant, minimalist, customisable, and designed to be technically as simple as possible. I can actually understand how it works, how to troubleshoot problems, and it's been running smoothly for ten years now without reinstallation.


The difference in user experience between Arch and Ubuntu and Gentoo and Slackware, etc. is huge. If you've tried one GNU/Linux distro and didn't like it, there are plenty of others you might get on with.

googler

Some of the software I like to use won't run on it.

I'm not convinced all the functions of my wireless printer/copier/scanner will work on it, and I use that pretty much every day, so ...

Norman_Castle

I've used mint for about five years as an alternative to xp. Easy install and runs well. The biggest problem I've found is communication between the linux community and people who simply want an operating system without fiddling with software and programming. I don't know or care what a gnome environment is or what wine or gnu are. I use an operating system to avoid fiddling with programming.


I've successfully solved a few problems without typing nonsense into terminals but there is little help or support in doing this as most linux users prefer to indulge their hobby which they are at liberty to do but its rarely helpful.

fenlander_uk

This discussion has been rehashed so many times, challenged only by "which is the best antivirus"?

Some friendly despot should pass a law limiting Linux to 2 implementations - one user-friendly one for mass use and an obscure, totally configurable one to provide a challenge for dedicated hobbyists. That way there'd be a chance of the OS taking off in a big way. It is the dozens of different flavours of Linux and the fact that the nerdy end of the user base needs to try a new distro every few days and argues endlessly about minutiae that puts potential adopters off.

I say this as a happy Linux user with 3 out of 4 home pcs running Mint.

(afterthought: the nerdy hobbyists should be obliged to develop a funny handshake and only discuss their tweaks with others of like mind after receiving the appropriate response...)

AnotherJoe

My computer came with Windows/MacOS installed

Is a leading question and pretty much implies it was happenstance rather than "I chose it that way because I prefer those to Linux"

motorguy

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

I use whatever i fancy, no need to have a poll, won’t change Until i want too. No need for discussion move along no more to see here

I think the poll was to see who does use it and if not why not, as opposed to forming a consensus that we all must follow?

motorguy

Instead of "Why do you not use Linux?" what i'd like to know is why you do use Linux? What does it give you that Windows, iOS or Android doesnt?

Peter999_2

I use Windows 10 for my laptop, desktop and media PC. It works really well and has everything I need for a PC I use every day.


I have used various flavours of Linux desktop and didn't like any of them I'm afraid, just didn't get on with it.


Linux server, however, is fabulous. I use a few Raspberry Pi's with Raspbian lite on for the following :


Email server - I run my own email server on a raspberry pi and have done for over a year. The PI uses about 6w which I worked out to be about £5 a yearfor 24/7 use. Since I have set it up I have not had to touch it (it runs a cronjob every day to install any updates).


OpenVPN - I use PiVPN. This provides me with VPN into my network from anywhere in the world. Over the years I have used VPN on routers, windows machines etc. and I have never used such a simple to install VPN. Again, since I installed it about 5 months ago I have never touched it and the VPN works like a treat.


TVHeadend - I bought a PI TV hat and a couple of Xbox One HD tuners (£3.95 delivered) and use it with TVHeadend as a freeview recorder. It works like a dream and means I can watch Live TV/recorded TV all throughout the house using Kodi clients such as Amazon Fire Stick etc. Once again, I haven't had to touch it since I installed it.



So, for me personally, the daily use for a PC it has to be Windows 10 but for server related stuff such as the above it is very hard to beat linux on a Raspberry Pi, especially for the cost.

ThemeOne

I think most people just aren't sufficiently interested in IT to explore anything other than what their computer came with.

Added to that most people now use mobile devices more than laptops or desktops, and very very few mobile users will jailbreak their devices and try and install a different OS on it.