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This week’s Weekly discussion thread will be focused on Linux. I know that Lemmy is VERY biased towards Linux and FOSS, but I’m curious what non-technical people feel about it and what your thoughts are.

Some starters:

  • Have you used Linux? If so, what was your experience like?
  • Would you run it as your primary system? Why or why not?
  • What would it take to get you to do so?
  • Do you feel it’s a solid option?
  • Are there any changes that you’d think would benefit consumers and aid with adoption?
  • baconisaveg@lemmy.caEnglish
    2·
    8 months ago

    I’ve run Linux since 1998, about half of that time was as a primary desktop. I switched back to Windows on the desktop for a few years (but always had Linux servers on my home network), and recently switched back to running Linux on the desktop about 18 months ago.

    I don’t run Gnome, KDE, or Wayland. I don’t want my Linux desktop to emulate a Windows machine. I prefer command line apps for a lot of things, like music players, file browsers, etc. I don’t mind the efforts to make Linux on the desktop more beginner friendly through various UI tools, but I abhor when they do so while degrading the non-UI experience (gconf, you can fuck right off).

    I also don’t care too much about FOSS. I run plenty of proprietary software packages. I have both Nvidia and AMD GPU’s and both work fine, though I prefer the Nvidia because of some of the AI tooling I run. Both have worked fine in Steam for the handful of games I play (FFXIV+mods, New World, Enshrouded, ESO+mods, Neverwinter, Path of Exile, Planetside 2), but I only have about 30 games in my library and I can tell you a good 70% of those I’ll likely never feel like playing again.

    I do all my work on the same Linux desktop, but most of my job is done on command line tools (coding, git, aws, docker) or via web-based tools (Jira, Outlook, Teams). I have a VM for running Word when I need to open documents with DRM.

    I don’t think Linux is for everybody, and I don’t think people should switch to it unless they’re actually interested in learning how to run Linux, and not simply looking for an alternative because “Windoze bad lol”.

  • cygnus@lemmy.caEnglish
    2·
    8 months ago

    I’m coming up on my one-year anniversary of using it full-time. I’ve dabbled since 2008-ish but I always ran into problems that drove me back to Windows. It’s very usable nowadays, so long as you don’t absolutely need specific apps that don’t work on it (or don’t want to use them in a VM).

    • Ace T'Ken@lemmy.caOPMEnglish
      2·
      8 months ago

      Interesting to see a non-positive take! I always appreciate your write-ups.

      I too wish there was more unification with certain elements. I can only imagine what they could do if they combined development resources into a few channels instead of being scattered to the winds. Maybe add an overall design aesthetic (while maintaining the means to change it) instead of just “it works I suppose.”

  • Ace T'Ken@lemmy.caOPMEnglish
    1·
    8 months ago

    I ran Mandrake Linux in roughly 2003 or so, but went back to Windows because games didn’t work.

    Ever since Windows 11 has come around I thought it was a good idea to possibly attempt to move to Linux again. I’m strongly leaning towards Mint because it’s fairly Linux beginner friendly from what I hear.

    I run an IT firm and we have recently been putting together an open-source stack.

    The problem is that we use a lot of Microsoft software on the back end and some of that can’t be replaced.

    The other issue is that while gaming has come a long way, a good chunk of my 5,000 games still don’t run on Linux. Newer ones tend to be glitchy for a great deal of time before they function perfectly. Also I happen to currently have an Nvidia card which I have heard is a problem.

    If anyone has any recommendations, I would love to hear them! From servers, to productivity, to gaming I am open to whatever you guys would recommend.