Linux

48692 readers

485 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Why don't more people use desktop Linux? I have a theory you might not like (www.zdnet.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

189 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I'm curious to hear thoughts on this. I agree for the most part, I just wish people would see the benefit of choice and be brave enough to try it out.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 84 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Or because Windows comes pre-installed on almost all machines. Many people don't even know what "operating system" is. It's just a part of the computer for them.

[–] [email protected] 59 points 1 year ago (2 children)

steam deck proves this. If everyone loved windows so much they would install it on the deck but they don't. Microsoft pays the PC makers in the states a lot of money to keep Windows Pre-Installed. Even then Hp put our a dev Linux Laptop because Dev's want a Unix like OS ether Linux or Mac.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago

Valve made games "just work" on the Steam Deck. No tweaks, CLI, hacks, or major performance issues. They took away the friction. I hope that in time all games will just work on Linux. When that happens and I can use my gaming peripherals like wheels and pedals I'll be giving up Windows on my gaming PC.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Man this is so wrong, I don't even know where to start.

If everyone loved windows so much they would install it on the deck

Valve has dedicated millions of dollars to making shit work on Linux so that MS cannot control them.
Specifically on handhelds, Windows is ass. Because it's not designed for them. That's why Valve developed a version of Linux specifically intended for this single device.
Windows is still installed on like 95% of gaming PCs because "everyone loves it so much".

Microsoft pays the PC makers in the states a lot of money to keep Windows Pre-Installed.

What? No. MS charges the PC makers to install Windows, not the other way around... Why would they pay them?

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Bingo.

Despite what the clickbait headline says, the main barrier to entry is not just knowing what an operating system is but the know-how to go about replacing the one that came with the computer in the first place. The decision over which distro to choose is relatively easy once you've got past that initial stage.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

Or MacOS. They've made it seem like those are the only two options besides chromebooks which are just for those who don't want to spend money.