Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

First, you need to ask yourself why you consider Linux an 'iffy OS', and Windows the 'standard'.

Your second point is very well put: why switch when you're not sure you'll be able to do the same things, or fix any problems? However, I didn't find the learning curve too hard at all. Currently, I think a comparison can be drawn between learning how Vista does things and learning how e.g. Ubuntu does things when coming from a Windows XP background. I also can't think of anything off-hand I used to do on windows that I can't now do on Linux, and in an environment that's set up just how I like it.

I find Linux systems easier to work with, easier to set up how I want them to work (rather than the way Microsoft or Apple expect me to use them), and also I get to save money by not paying to upgrade every few years.

My main reasons to switch were: first, I needed more configurability in my desktop. I was sick of having to jump through hoops any time I wanted to do anything slightly unusual. Secondly, I was aware that I could only lay tenuous claim to a legal copy of Windows XP, and that was starting to get at me. Now I'm not running any illegal software, so my conscience is clearer too.

Oh, also, when Windows XP decides to break something, it _really_ goes to town. I find Linux breakages much easier to diagnose and repair.

One thing i love about ubuntu is the community support... you can just type the name of the problem followed by ubuntu in google and find an answer. And if not (a rare case), then just get to a site like ubuntuforums and ask your question.

I would like to invite you to try at least a live CD or DVD and try to see if there are tons of limitations (i mean, there could be hardware issues or so, in this case, try another distro or simply wait for an update and try again).

Think of it as switching to a Mac. This system would be so unfamiliar to someone using Windows that he/she would have to learn a bit to get things done. The main variation here is not having to pay to use it.

It's obvious why Windows is the standard - everyone (realistically) uses it. Like it or not, it is "computing" for the majority of people. You may like Linux more, you may think it's better, but that doesn't change the fact that if you go into a store to buy a computer, odds are you will be shown a Windows computer. When that changes, Windows won't be the standard any more.

And Linux is far from simple for the new user. Want to install a program? You can't simply click on a link at download.com and install it. You have to know your distro, sometimes compile it yourself. Yes, you can Google instructions but that's not user friendly either. When you have to open a console and type commands, you are leaving the realm of user friendliness. You might not think it's a big deal, but to people like my parents, they don't WANT to learn - they want their box to do what they feel it should as easily as putting a DVD in the set-top player or turning the knob on the stove.

@DiRT,

Agreed on the sale of computers with Windows... However...

New users, by definition, are inexperienced. Are they going to have an easier time with Windows than Linux? For instance, my mom has a Windows XP machine. She wanted to send an ecard to someone. She didn't realize that the fact that the ecard site made her download a codec and sound files was a big freakin' red flag that this probably *isn't* what she should be downloading.

She downloads it, and gets a hundred thousand pop ups. And calls me about getting rid of them. I imagine that she (and my dad) have collectively "just downloaded and installed" a lot of things, very easily. Most of which they either weren't truly aware of, or didn't need.

They're not computer experts, but they aren't idiots either. Lots of seemingly sane, rational people do this.

When I inevitably end up helping them clean up the machine, they usually say, "These are the programs I need. Get rid of everything else."

Most of the stuff they need they have on a disk.

Most of the stuff a new computer user who wants to try Linux will need... is in a repository. Fire up Synaptic, or YaST, or what have you, and pick your package.

If a computer is a fairly new concept to someone... it's not more of a stretch to look at the distro's repositories than it is to go to download.com. I think it might actually be easier, it's right there in the system menu...

If you're a new user who needs a certain app (like Photoshop, or Quark, or what have you...) then maybe it's not your cup of tea... But if a concept is new, can one concept be foreign than another?

@Kristen

"But if a concept is new, can one concept be foreign than another?"

I think you mean "more foreign" but still, obviously yes.

Click.
Click.
Done.

Click.
Google instructions.
Click.
Open console.
Type.
Type.
Type.
Click.
Click.

There's an obvious difference. Once again, you might not think it's a big deal but if you read a site like this you are way beyond a new or casual user. And just because your mom doesn't know any better, doesn't make Windows any less of the standard or any less user friendly.

Don't get me wrong, I WANT to switch to Linux. But time and time again, I find that I can't because I need something that's Windows only.

Muffin_man, if you were to hate activation as much as I do, you'd take measures to avoid activation. I've ruled out going the illegal route, so I'm left with Linux. That's why I personally chose to use GNU/Linux; however, I've found many more things to like about Linux as I use it (some small, some big), making my decision to switch all the better.