this post was submitted on 02 Aug 2023
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Linux

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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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[–] MyNameIsRichard@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Linux requires you to venture into the command line

No it doesn't. I choose to use the command line because it's more efficient which is entirely different.

[–] DoubleOwl7777@feddit.de 0 points 1 year ago

fully agreed. shure a barebones install of just the distro and no DE needs command line but once you have the DE you in theory never need it again. but i still prefer Entering a command. faster and more efficient instead of navigating 1000 menus

[–] PotatoesFall@discuss.tchncs.de 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How long ago was this written? Sure it's not perfect but you can run a lot of distributions like fedora, ubuntu, opensuse etc etc whatever exactly as described. Maybe this is a joke I didn't understand lol. But in case it is not:

  • No need to use command line if you don't want to
  • Drivers are installed automatically (okay this might depend on the distro but in OpenSUSE I recall this being possible in a GUI)
  • There is a steam flatpak, and most user apps can be installed through a GUI, often as flatpaks
  • For a user like this, I see no reason to interact with system packages other than choosing when to update.
  • I'm a programmer and even I rarely edit ANYTHING in /etc on my desktop. Sure I edit stuff in ~/.config, but that is not stuff a "normal" user would need to do.

Now sure if you want to start customizing your login screen and this that and the other thing, eventually you will have to run something on the command line. But Windows doesn't allow much customization beyond changing your desktop background, and pales in comparison to the amount of customization you can do with KDE, all through a GUI

[–] ErnieBernie10@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

What you're saying is correct but all the things you're describing are not 100% foolproof. Flatpaks are community maintained and can contain misconfigurations.

Also the sandboxed nature and all these foreign concepts for new users would have a user question why they're not seeing their folders or why their cursor or theme doesn't match their system.

These systems are great but they're not nearly as polished as Windows and Mac.

It's great for us but Linux has always struggled with any semblance of full polish. I think you're overestimating the average computer user. Probably Ubuntu based distro's are still as close as we got to an OS for the regular person.

The introduction of new concept could be mitigated by a proper system of introducing and explaining these to a new user but it's difficult not to overwhelm them with info or keep them engaged and willing to learn.

TLDR;

True but it's not that simple

[–] DoubleOwl7777@feddit.de 0 points 1 year ago

lets be real windows isnt polished either. the windows control panel and settings situation highlights that.