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Linux for a Windows & Android person (Advice needed)
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this post was submitted on 09 May 2025
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Fedora Silverblue is basically Android.
You click on apps in a software store to install, it updates itself (without you noticing) on reboot, the terminal is entirely optional and almost entirely useless.
Why is the terminal useless?
She's exaggerating
VERY much.
It was hyperbole. I used Silverblue for a bit trying to avoid layering packages entirely.
But not being able to simply install CLI system tools I'm used to (like btop) or rummaging around in /etc felt really limiting. I realize that's on me, cause these distros work differently.
Sorry, I didn't get this. Could you elaborate?
I meant not being able to rummage around in /etc .
Since it is read-only, you always have to copy a config file into your home/user/.config/... before you can edit it.
Sorry, I think there's a misunderstanding.
First of all, thank you for clarifying what you meant. I'm not native, so I haven't seen "rummage" being used within that context. And while a LLM did (at least an attempt to) provide its meaning, it didn't make sense... by which we have arrived at the misunderstanding.
Yes, for Fedora Atomic, (most of)
/usris read-only. Perhaps this also applies to some other folders of/, however this doesn't apply to/etcas it's not read-only; therefore, you can actually change its content. At best, you'd have to gosudo(or fill the credentials through polkit's window); but that's all. This part isn't different from how it's over on (traditional) Fedora. Compared to its non-Atomic variant, however, we do find the following changes regarding/etc:/etcare being kept track of. You can access these throughostree admin config-diff./etcis kept at/usr/etc. And, that one, is actually read-only.So..., the following step, i.e.
Isn't required or anything. Heck, it's the first time (after three years of Fedora Atomic) that I've seen something like that being mentioned within this context.
Then either they changed that, or I didn't understand it right, while I was using it.
Probably the latter. That being said, my other frustration was a lack of easily discoverable in-depth documentation.
But I wouldn't be surprised if I was just too dumb to find that, too.
That's indeed a big concern. Thanks for mentioning that.
FWIW, uBlue's images (which are just opinionated takes on Fedora Atomic) have better documentation, but those have only more recently been a thing.
I daily drive Silverblue (and the terminal is not useless >:c), and in a vacuum I would probably install Silverblue or another atomic desktop. But I worry about Windows compatibility.
Imagine the feeling when "you just click the .exe and everything installs itself" works for everyone but you. It doesn't matter that downloading executables from random websites is way worse than a proper package manager in pretty much every way.
It's still alienating. Going along with everyones technical dept may still be a nicer experience, because at least it doesn't require the effort of doing something different.
That's what I'm worried about.
If this is your aim, you can't really do that with Linux. Better stick with Windows in this case, as that's the only place where this works.
Just want to add to the difference in experience:
I leaned Linux, because I wanted to learn Linux and as such I was fine with stumbling a bit from time to time. They want a working computer that does Roblox and homework and don't care much about the rest.
I totally understand where you're coming from, and I'm pessimistic that any flavor of Linux will be an acceptable experience for the person you're describing. Something like Silverblue may be least obstrusive, but compatibility will still be a prominent problem.
Alternatively, you could show them surface level cool stuff that's easier to do with Linux. Like blocking all ads, running your own Minecraft server, downloading YouTube videos, building your own PC with cheap parts (and maybe even pirating movies and TV shows, depending on your own practices and relationship to that person). There's a lot to love about Linux even if you don't care about privacy and open software as abstract values.
Then staying with Windows forever, no matter how shit it's become and how much it's changed even compared to just 2 years ago, is the only option.
I think the best solution would be to talk first.
Gather 10 reasons why it makes sense. For example, its wayyyyyyyyy cheaper to run linux, ethics, etc. Dont wait for them to get frustrated but approach them first and build up an ethical primacy. Thats how i do it and it works.
From there, you ask them what they need. "Just works tm" is sadly how autocracy works. Under hitler and mussolini, healthy, white, party loyal people had a "just works" situation. Dont ask, dont tell. But foss is democratic. It is messy at times.
Reality is, you can make linux work. If something is really stubborn, you make a vm. Shockingly easy! But if someone wants that polish, that plastic world with 14 year olds with pumped up lips and butt implants, you need to let them go. They are lost and need to face reality.