Linux is amazing. It’s hitting peak productivity with support for every driver, and highly optimized systems like Systems, Dbus, Wayland,and Pipewire. It’s actually world class rn, both windows and Mac are jealous of what the core Linux is now. Linux now runs every server, most of the world’s phones, most of the IoT devices, and some gaming stuff
But it’s still a tiny percentage of desktop/laptop, so yeah idk it’s all good
I hope so. I’ve been using Linux for 10 years for everything except gaming. And two years ago i went fulltime with proton and lutris (switched to heroic though).
And let me tell you, we’re at a point where its multiple times more straight forward to just install something like Fedora KDE, and do almost anything windows can, than trying to deal with whatever the hell microsoft is up to these days.
The biggest problem still is software discoverability. It is our duty to guide newcomers where they want to go instead of gatekeeping.
Flatpak just fixed their cleaning up of old versions which was a deterrent for a lot of people. There are a few technical things people complain about. I think the main real complain comes from its syntax since it doesnt work with shell or is POSIX.
And let me tell you, we’re at a point where its multiple times more straight forward to just install something like Fedora KDE, and do almost anything windows can, than trying to deal with whatever the hell microsoft is up to these days.
Yep that was my turning point.
Only I have to disagree with Fedora as first Linux, it requires manual fiddling with repositories just to install codecs that any average unskilled user would expect to work out of the box
The codec thing really is a bummer. But thats really one of the few things you would have to do on Fedora while theres plenty of other pitfalls with other distros too. Like an older kernel or having to manually configure drivers for some hardware with Debian, or having to deal with canonicals shenanigans on Ubuntu.
Maybe one of the more niche distros is a better guess for some, like Nobara or Bazzite for gaming.
I just switched to Bazzite yesterday and it’s insane how far linux has come. Next-next and everything works, even on a nightmare combination of hardware (Lenovo Legion half assed uefi, amd apu+ nvidia gpu).
I will try cyberpunk one day if its on sale and my pile of shame has gotten smaller.
I made the switch to Heroic from Lutris because the integration is just better. I used both for a while, bc the witcher 3 worked better on the legacy version for me, and heroic didn’t let you choose the (legacy or nextgen), while lutris only had the legacy version. But now you can install any version you want on Heroic (looking at you, every other platform with forced updates). Also, while Lutris downloads the offline installers off of GOG, heroic installs it via the GOG galaxy redistributable. This also makes it possible to sync playtime and savegames, although this is experimental right now. As soon as they start implementing achievements (which i think they have planned) its feature complete for me.
Updates of heroic itself and the games always went fine, although it must be said that the most challenging titles i have on gog right now are witcher 3 and metro exodus.
Every one of the last 25 years has been the year of Linux, the Steam Deck is definitely moving the needle but not enough to actually overtake anything, at least at the moment.
For gaming, sure - proton has gone a really long way toward making most Windows games playable on Linux without too much effort.
For non technical users? Not so much, ChromeOS is putting in more work there.
Linux implies an IT burden that I don’t see most non technical users carrying without someone there to provide IT support. My mom, for example, won’t ever touch Linux because I’m damned well not going to provide on call support for that. ChromeOS though? That’s set and forget enough for the non technical crowd.
I put my mom on Ubuntu with KDE 10 years ago. I had far less problems with her on Linux than I ever did with Vista and 7. It got to the point she was calling me multiple times a week.
I didn’t have to but I did one Ubuntu reinstall in that entire time only because I made /boot the default partition size at installation and years later it filled up constantly. I got sick of going over there to clean it up and it coincided with her getting a new computer.
My mom installed printer drivers, and Cisco VPN software from run packages instead of apt and set up multi- monitors on her own after I taught her how to use the terminal, so it’s possible for the elderly.
Unfortunately that’s a level of technical aptitude that a lot of non technical people don’t have. I’d love it if my mom could manage installing software but she’s the sort of person who gets nervous when things like UI button locations change, she’s not someone who’s going to install their own printer drivers or packages or manage a dist upgrade herself. It would be nice if she would spend the time to learn enough to take care of her own devices but anything more complicated than managing phone updates isn’t likely.
I 100% salute your mom but raw capability isn’t even really the point. Realistically, your average person, let alone older person has absolutely zero interest in needing to touch a terminal. They want to live as close to auto-magic as they possibly can. I hate Apple but the idea that it “just works” is one of their primary selling points, right along side the whole status symbol thing. It’s not a right or wrong, just people being people.
I disagree naming Flatpak etc. as the reason for more adoption. New users I know of do not know how to search for software and software alternatives in the first place.
Documentation and engagement on linux just improves by each day. Experiences are shared and people may just be curious. Then there are news about linux breakthroughs by big players like valve.
Imo a beginner linux distro should prompt on install:
If you are a potential linux adaptor do not get discouraged. You may have spent your entire life building knowledge for an other operating system. Once you grok the aimed simplicity of UNIX and which parts are involved in your daily tasks you will be at least as efficient as with other operating systems. The most inportant thing: Have fun on your journey and engage in our chats, forums and/or in social media.
I think so. Installing Linux was a hurdle for a lot of people but having it by default on the Steam Deck was a bit of a game changer. Installing Windows on it versus figuring out how to use something Lutris probably takes a similar amount of effort for average casual user.
I feel like it also helps that Windows isn’t very controller friendly, in my experience, and an increasing amount of people are looking for that for couch gaming and viewing media.
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