Desktop linux has a ways to go before it's ready for "normal" users.
Yes, yes, yes, you have a story about how your parents (sibling|partner|friend|etc) are using linux and don't even notice/care. They have you directly supporting them and I'll call you a liar if you say you've never had to support them. Even if it's just "Netflix won't stream high quality to me". Even in our browser-based world you still often need to install some software and good luck explaining why they can't run Photoshop or MS Office.
All of the reasons listed here simply don't matter to the vast majority of the target audience.
Linux is amazing, I use it every day, I'm surrounded by machines running it in my personal and professional life, but this seems misguided. A bunch of us nerds can cheer it on but people who you are trying to target aren't going to be interested.
jrepinc•8mo ago
Yeah sure I have to support them, but I had to do the same when they were still on Windows. With them using GNU/Linux now I have to support them far less, and far less often and I can more easily do it remotely. Linux just runs more stable and is more resilient to breakage. So even here it is not just better for the family/friends, it is also better with GNU/Linux for me as I have to spend less time on offering support.
freedomben•8mo ago
I don't disagree, but I do think it's a lot closer than most people realize. Really it's mostly GPU drivers that still cause problems (even on "supported" hardware). I've put Fedora on many family members machines and it usually takes them a day or two to re-orient to Gnome, but after that it's been very smooth sailing.
Where this is targeting older computers, I think graphics drivers are less likely to be a problem (except for some "legacy" nvidia cards in a number of desktops, which I'm still pissed about).
That said, I would agree that for people with no support and linux knowledge, it's probably not a great move, mainly because you need someone to explain that you can't just download exe files anymore and run them, and most of the downloading websites will serve you an exe by default which can be very confusing. I think a two to four hour class would help immensely, but to your point that is a form of support.
freedomben•8mo ago
This is awesome! I'm not sure how well it will work, but it's a very noble effort
joshstrange•8mo ago
Yes, yes, yes, you have a story about how your parents (sibling|partner|friend|etc) are using linux and don't even notice/care. They have you directly supporting them and I'll call you a liar if you say you've never had to support them. Even if it's just "Netflix won't stream high quality to me". Even in our browser-based world you still often need to install some software and good luck explaining why they can't run Photoshop or MS Office.
All of the reasons listed here simply don't matter to the vast majority of the target audience.
Linux is amazing, I use it every day, I'm surrounded by machines running it in my personal and professional life, but this seems misguided. A bunch of us nerds can cheer it on but people who you are trying to target aren't going to be interested.
jrepinc•8mo ago
freedomben•8mo ago
Where this is targeting older computers, I think graphics drivers are less likely to be a problem (except for some "legacy" nvidia cards in a number of desktops, which I'm still pissed about).
That said, I would agree that for people with no support and linux knowledge, it's probably not a great move, mainly because you need someone to explain that you can't just download exe files anymore and run them, and most of the downloading websites will serve you an exe by default which can be very confusing. I think a two to four hour class would help immensely, but to your point that is a form of support.