So why do you use Linux?

There is a level of use where serious knowledge is required for both Windows and Linux.

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To this I can say that in the early 2000s, it was necessary to have a deep understanding of the essence of Linux in order to be a work tool, in the world of desktop Linux today, it is enough to be able to use it.

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Bloody hell SO MUCH THIS.

I’ve spent most of my day today trawling through Windows Feature update log files trying to figure out why one of our corporate laptops isn’t upgrading to a newer version we’re deploying, and having to do the usual “Google to find out wtf this random 0x*** error code actually MEANS”. Gee, thanks MS :roll_eyes:

For me, I started using Linux early last year full time, the main reasons being:

Privacy
MS sends tonnes of telemetry to their servers.
They push ads and applications to your PC without your permission.

Security
Viruses? :joy:

Update methodology
Again, as mentioned above, Windows updates are a massive pain in the arse, both corporately and domestically. Forced reboot because Windows updates (against corporate-set group policies) in the middle of a high-level video conferencing call? Yay, guess which department gets blamed for that? :unamused:

On Linux, I’m completely in control of when updates get installed, if they get installed, or if they get frozen indefinitely and never get installed.

Choice and Customisation
Windows 10 has one Desktop Environment. It’s fine, but you can’t change it without using some paid for software that may well crash your PC as soon as it’s launched. With Linux I have a choice between dozens of DEs, or hell if I even use one at all!

Freedom & Transparency
I love how most of the software I now use day to day is free and open source. Sure I still use stuff like Spotify which isn’t, but it’s certainly in the minority.

The fact that the entire OS is open source, meaning that nothing nefarious will last long under community scrutiny, is a huge benefit of FOSS.

Bit rambly, but those are my main reasons off the top of my head for switching :slight_smile:

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Don’t you mean “Sad Smiley Call Administrator”.
Haven’t had a BOS in years but at least “Driver Less Than Equal” meant “One of your drivers are causing problems”.

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:( Something went wrong.

Please call an administrator to install EndeavourOS.

Error code 0xinstall0arch0
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0,01% failure :rofl:

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For me it’s the freedom to use what I want and set it up how I want it. I like options and Linux is all about options. Systemd is a great example. I don’t have an issue with it and am quite happy that it just seems to work, others hate it, and they have options to replace it with several choices.

The issue that I see with Linux is that with options comes the responsibility to leant what they are. That’s where someone like Ubuntu comes in and tries to make Linux more digestible to the average user by being opinionated and limiting options. (ok I know they really don’t limit your options but they do present you with a set of supported options)

Tldr I like options and the ability to customize my setup.

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I can’t agree with you.

Given the shoddy state of security on internet of shit devices until a larger proportion of the population are tech literate manufacturers are going to continue to get away with leaving gaping holes in your home network security.

To be honest, I don’t think that’ll ever happen.

Just look at the Snowden revelations. They were fantastic in uncovering government abuses… but the average person still doesn’t give 2 f*cks about the whole thing. There was overwhelming supporting evidence along with much media coverage about the importance of privacy since then.

Then there’s the huge manpower shortage in cyber security, despite it being a well paying industry on average.

Not in the short term, but maybe countries with progressive education systems will start to teach it.

I just finished a teaching my ESL teen students some content that was on internet safety and I’ve been discussing fake news with another group.

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Again, I think we have a shared experience lol.

Earlier this year as part of my role (I work a few evenings a week for a youth charity) I was asked to lead a digital/internet awareness course on behalf of Google. The course was all about teaching the teens about fake news, biased writing, filter bubbles etc. Although, I do think more needs to be done to make teens more aware of the open source options out there instead of relying on Apple/Google/Microsoft so much.

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I think that’s the best way forward, change starts with the individual. Hopefully enough of the younger generation gets properly educated and we see real change in our lifetimes.

I hope you had just a little spare time afterwards to show those teens brighter side of freedom and open-source :slight_smile:

Truth doesn’t live on Apple/Google/Microsoft that’s for sure :laughing:
Well, unless you really wish to break walls with your head all the time of course to get 2+2=4 or something :grin:

Corporations are mainly aimed on telling you what to do as an end goal…Present more or less coherent version of what is right and what is wrong (which can be very far from truth sometimes), in order to shift you in just more controlled bubble (which usually is just politics / money driven)

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Well I’m going to be starting the course up again over the next few weeks. So might mention it then. Although I think they’ll continue to stick with apple/google/microsoft. As ease of use trumps privacy in this day and age. Particularly for the younger generation.

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Please do! :slight_smile:
Even if you’ll get just few rebels curious it would be great benefit for them and everyone else :partying_face:


That’s coming from someone who have spent 10 years with few insane guys from Malaysia and Japan, trying to overwrite and mod SONY VAIO VGN-Z11 VRN crappy Optimus Intel / Nvidia drivers from Windows Vista to Windows 7 and make them work…

Just because support doesn’t care at all and we were brave enough and loved our machines which we’ve payed a lot of money for…
Still won’t bring me back 10 years :rofl:

Wish someone like you would be there for me to mention Linux and open-source :thinking:

I am (severly) addicted to caffeine. A strong cup of coffee is what I make before anything else in the morning. These past few weeks, it’s been replaced by logging on to this forum.
:coffee:

Edit: Wrong thread!! You see without coffee I am lost!! :blush:

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My daughter recently went from an Android phone to an iPhone :face_vomiting:

I of course immediately disowned her.

I HAVE NO DAUGHTER.

:joy:

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This is why I use Linux, but unfortunately not on my corporate laptop for work, guess what this is in Swedish :neutral_face:

image

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Makes me feel that i know Swedish very well now :sweat_smile:

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I started using computers as a kid on my parents desktop with Windows, but once I got my own computer (8 years old), it had Linux on it and I never used Windows outside of work since.

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