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Why is Linux so frustrating for some people?
(lemmy.ml)
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this post was submitted on 16 Jul 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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Most of the comments here are talking about the x% of time Linux gets messed up it can be really intimidating for new users and getting the right help can be a challenge, or simply more time than it's worth.
I think this is true, but I think there's another thing that irks people:
Software Compatibility
The general public primarily interacts with their computers through established applications that commonly aren't available on Linux w/o intimidating work around (if at all).
A noob who switches to Linux isn't going to know the limitations up front, and the second they decide they want to learn Adobe Premier for work, they're kinda fucked. They'll either spend hours/days of online research trying to figure out if it's even possible, or they'll ask for help only to have someone tell them they're wrong for trying and to use some FOSS alternative because Adobe is an evil megacorp.
It's a recipe for frustration.
The last part is a real issue. You can pretty much guarantee, that whenever you ask for help/talk about issues with Linux anywhere online, some helpful Linux zealot will be there to tell you what an idiot you are for having issues with Linux. Most of the time, these guys have been running Ubuntu off a Life USB stick for a week or two so far.
That last part is my experience when I tried installing a "non-supported printer" for my computer. I wanted to hook up into a computer my brother bought, and ended up in the printer model's manufacturer's page and having to choose between an Ubuntu driver and a Debian one. I use neither.
I eventually found my way to the AUR repository (because btw, I used Manjaro at the time—go figure what's wrong in this scenario, lol!) and even ended up on some random repos for similar models. There were a lot of conflicting advice: like using a driver for a similar printer, or making my own package for my printer model.
I ended up deciding that I somehow have to make a package for my printer model, and having asked around for advice on how to do this, I was met with "why even brother with that printer brand?!" And I was like, "because that's what's available to me! And I don't have enough money to buy a different one! I just want this to work!!"