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How do y'all deal with programs not supported on Linux?
(sh.itjust.works)
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this post was submitted on 12 Nov 2023
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Linux
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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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You mostly don't because Linux desktop is kind of a "collective delusion". You either assume you'll be using alternatives that aren't compatible with your current applications and potentially deal with collaboration issues with users of such apps or stick with Windows.
https://tadeubento.com/2023/linux-desktop-a-collective-delusion/
When it comes to distros I suggest you keep to Debian and use Flatpak to install software - this will give you a rock solid OS with all the latest version of the applications you might want to use. Flatpak apps can be installed from the GNOME Software "store" GUI which makes things really convenient.
Speaking about office, LibreOffice is great, however it isn't as good as people like to sell it. Take for instance this simple documented I created in MS Word, side-by-side, it can't even properly display a simple document with some headings and a few bullet points:
Things like that print screen and what is written on the article are the hard facts that people like to avoid and downvote, but it is what it is. Linux is great, but not in most desktop use case scenarios.
The LibreOffice stuff generally has a workaround, even if frustrating. Most general use stuff on Linux is fine (again, not without pain wrt interoperability with my other systems).
My issue with Linux is the stuff that just doesn't run at all (software and HW). For niche stuff, you can occasionally find a halfway implemented bridge utility made by a well-meaning (and brilliant!) enthusiast, but, in my cases, it either doesn't work or is too glitchy to be anything more than a effort to see if I can get it to run as opposed to doing the task I set out to do originally. Add to that the fact that your (paid) software and HW is explicitly unsupported and at best at a "you're on your own" status, and it becomes a high risk proposition.
Make no mistake - trying to get stuff to work is fun in and of itself. I use Linux. It's fun. It's breathed fresh life into old machines. It was my daily driver for years. Etc.
Ultimately, I really, really wish more proprietary software and associated HW supported Linux. I'm happy to pay for stuff I need/want that is outside of the FOSS world. But until devs of commercial products recognize the value of investing in Linux, it's a game of whackamole.
In meantime, I still try to get my stuff to work on Linux. It's a much better OS, but to successfully run the stuff I need I am confined to Windows (with WSL) - unfortunately.