this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2023
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Additionally, what changes are necessary for you to be able to use Linux full time?

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[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

Got a long one. I've gone back and forth a few times (I've landed on a dual-boot Windows 10 and Arch setup, maining Arch) (btw) and my biggest takeaway is this:

Mainstream Linux distros, like Mint, do have admittedly very polished basic experiences. The problem is, though, is that it breaks down as soon as you introduce it to unique use-cases or hardware features.

Linux, specifically stable distros like Mint, are already ready for mainstream use for people who use it for basic stuff like email, web browsing, desktop social media like Facebook, and so on. It's also very usable for gaming, as we saw with Steam Deck, but still has issues primarily with adoption.

But if you have for example, a 2-in-1 laptop or a VR setup, things break down very quick. I had to configure my 2-in-1 manually and not everything works still, and VR is a joke if you don't have a Vive or Index, and even that's iffy. SteamVR is still extremely buggy and missing features.

Linux is, by design, configurable and open. This is both its greatest strength and weakness, because it allows users to set up their systems how they want, but only if they know how to. A truly "user-friendly" distro is simply not possible if you retain the configurability, which Valve knows, and is why SteamOS is locked down the way it is. This model is growing in popularity but it's not quite here yet.

At the end of the day, I still use it despite these shortcomings because I feel it's important. I should be able to look at the code and know what my machine is doing, and trust that it respects my rights and freedoms. This is why Linux, and maybe BSD, have to win. But for now, I still have a drive with Windows 10 because it's just simply not a full experience yet, and that's okay. For now

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

Tried out a few times in the 90s and early 2000s and the biggest barrier was lack of support for video cards and other hardware that I needed for gaming. It was also more complex to set up at that time, and windows was both easier to work with and resolving issues was easier to figure out.

In all cases I was dual booting and after a while just stopped trying with Linux because the other option was easier, not because I disliked Linux.

Haven't tried recently because windows 10 and 11 have been rock stable for me and Windows Defender plus Firefox and ublock origin have made it safe to use windows. While I thought about giving it a go again recently, I just don't have a reason to switch when things are going to well and I don't have time anymore to just fiddle with it due to other priorities.

I do keep an eye out though in case I do a media server or something as that would be a good use case for another go.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Two (minor) issues I have right now in Linux (stuff I need to research more on how to mitigate, at least the first one):

  • RX 6800 with LG 27GL850: In Windows AMD patched like a 1-2 years ago the drivers to use 5W-10W while on desktop. On Linux it still uses 32W and the only workaround is to reduce refresh rate from 144Hz to 120Hz.
  • Audio: When switching between different audio devices ("Line out" and "S/PDIF" some apps do not handle the switch instantly like in Windows. So for example if I'm playing a song in Spotify and I want to S/PDIF (which is connected to some studio monitors in the living room in my case) I need to close spotify and open again. In Windows you can switch without interrupting the song. Same happens while gaming. (Restarting a game is a PITA). I also use S/PDIF with my wired headphones that I use for gaming.

Ubuntu 23.04.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

Although I do use Linux (so should not respond here, I know), the reasons are probably similar to why Android vs iOS. They are different philosophies. No-one really is wrong, it is about personal fit.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

Broken bootloader.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Video games for one. Hated the UI (only thing I've ever hated worse was the BS Windows pulled with 8, which I skipped). The GUI experience just felt... Like a very distant after thought. Only reason I use Linux at all is on servers (homelab) because... Well the cost is spot on and once I get it working I don't have to deal with it anymore.

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