July 28, 2017

My beef with linux

There are some people I know who love linux. But overall I think the liking of linux is more subjective than that of using/liking windows. I don't necessarily have to like windows to be able to use it. It seems like you have to be the type that actually enjoys all of the runaround linux gives, in order to be passionate enough to figure it out. Well, that's not really me, I have alot going on, on this computer. When I need it to work, I need it to work without issue and get the job done.

Back a few months ago I installed dual boot linux onto my laptop, initially I was open to completely changing my OS of preference if it did well.
First thing I notice right off, is that to get any applications or drivers that are needed, you have to first connect to the internet right? How does a person using linux, download wireless drivers onto linux, if linux has no connectivity because it needs the wireless drivers? This right here is bothersome, doesn't matter how much you know about linux, this will be a problem for every single person who tries to install it.
Turns out, my computer's actual wireless sensor does not support any driver that works with linux. Meaning that it's physically impossible to connect to a wireless access point.
I don't have ethernet, and I don't plan to get it any time soon.
My brother in law is pretty good with linux, helped me at least get a slow Bluetooth connection going through his phone's usb. That's about the only way it worked out to load up any webpage at all.
Fast forward a while later, I go through the same process, plug my phone in and boom, wouldn't you know it, the bluetooth internet doesn't even work now.
An operating system without internet connectivity is useless for me.

Secondly, the time someone might save in having a snappier environment, is basically wasted when you factor in all the extra time you have to spend finding and installing things, and typing in various commands to get the desired result.
As far as security goes, with avast, a vpn and a growing host file, I achieve a level of security which is acceptable to me without having to use linux.

I'm glad I only gave the linux partition the minimum space necessary to install it. Though I did want it to work, I hoped it would be a nice change from windows7. (Windows 10 sucks hard as far as I've heard)

It has potential, but it's just not there yet.
Rather than just criticize though, I will suggest this, before emphasizing how good your OS is over another OS, make it work. Make a handful of universal wireless drivers and package them with Linux. Make a program for picking the driver. When you click it, it will ask you the model of your computer and give you a drop down list of options to try, you click the one closest to your model, it installs the driver and it works. That may be alot of work, but that's what linux needs to become better than it is.

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