Stumbled across this quick post recently and thought it was a really good tale and worth sharing.
A couple of weeks ago, I saw a tweet asking: “If Linux is so good, why aren’t more people using it?” And it’s a fair question! It intuitively rings true until you give it a moment’s consideration. Linux is even free, so what’s stopping mass adoption, if it’s actually better? My response:
- If exercising is so healthy, why don’t more people do it?
- If reading is so educational, why don’t more people do it?
- If junk food is so bad for you, why do so many people eat it?
The world is full of free invitations to self-improvement that are ignored by most people most of the time. Putting it crudely, it’s easier to be fat and ignorant in a world of cheap, empty calories than it is to be fit and informed. It’s hard to resist the temptation of minimal effort.
And Linux isn’t minimal effort. It’s an operating system that demands more of you than does the commercial offerings from Microsoft and Apple. Thus, it serves as a dojo for understanding computers better. With a sensei who keeps demanding you figure problems out on your own in order to learn and level up.
Now I totally understand why most computer users aren’t interested in an intellectual workout when all they want to do is browse the web or use an app. They’re not looking to become a black belt in computing fundamentals.
But programmers are different. Or ought to be different. They’re like firefighters. Fitness isn’t the purpose of firefighting, but a prerequisite. You’re a better firefighter when you have the stamina and strength to carry people out of a burning building on your shoulders than if you do not. So most firefighters work to be fit in order to serve that mission.
That’s why I’d love to see more developers take another look at Linux. Such that they may develop better proficiency in the basic katas of the internet. Such that they aren’t scared to connect a computer to the internet without the cover of a cloud.
Besides, if you’re able to figure out how to setup a modern build pipeline for JavaScript or even correctly configure IAM for AWS, you already have all the stamina you need for the Linux journey. Think about giving it another try. Not because it is easy, but because it is worth it.
What if I need a program that is only available for windows?
If such an awful thing ever happpened to me in my personal life I’d change my needs.
In work of course I’m fucked, by stupidity rather than needs of course, but at least that’s only for 37.5 hours a week.
compatibility layers makes 99% software work
or try a virtual windows instance if performace is not critical
Yeah, but for non-technical people this is an insurmountable barrier. My aunt isn’t “trying a virtual machine”.
the setup is straightfoward
people are just allergic to the terminal
you aunt can get a windows instance setup by someone competent and use that instance forever
I’m in the same boat, adobe can get fucked
The app may be windows only, but it can often help to ask for alternative. And not things like “What can I use in Linux that is the same as <app> under Windows”. More along the lines of “I need to create or do <x>. In Windoze I used <app>, how do I get the same work done under Linux”. Sometimes you don’t have much of a choice, go emulation layer or VM, but often you can find a different path to the same result and once you get used to it, it’s a better solution.
or 2) you switch back to Windows when you really need that one app. Odds are, over time, you realize it’s actually #1.
Like what? They all have linux versions, alternatives or work with wine, the main issue is sub based window ones since the way they verify licenses often has issues with wine. Im assuming you’re missing out on adobe or autodesk stuff?
If the programs cpu heavy its suprisingly not that hard to setup windows qemu whatever its called, it opens windows app as native linux windows even tho its an emulation it looks cleaner, but I had issues getting my gpu to work and even if it does I think your linux screen goes black when in use, it was just a hassle and trying to connect the gpu made me need to reset my linux install since my discrete gpu wouldnt work and I had no idea why. Worked fine til I tried to connect my discrete gpu and is very useful for cpu based programs.
This is not straightforward for the average user. There’s plenty of commercial or niche software that has no real alternative in Linux land. CAD being one - and I’m well aware of freecad, and I love it, but it ain’t a pro tool yet.
Yeah cad is not something ive ever messed with, I’ve heard it prevents many from swapping to Linux
What average user uses CAD? I think you are conflating what an average user requires.
Type of user that uses/ want to swap to linux is more likely to be into cad compared to the average window user, just more tech related hobbies
I could see that being the case. But definitely not the case where the average user needs/uses CAD. That’s a wild one.
I add it to my steam library as a local program and rely on proton. So far works perfect with no effort on my end.