Is Linux a pile of cr*p?

Question

Honestly I'm not trolling, I really want to know.
Considering how easy it is to obtain a pirated copy of Windows, does anyone REALLY use Linux at all? Lots of people download Linux, but downloads do not mean copies being installed and put to use.

When I Google searched the term "Linux cr*p" I found several comments by people who have tried Linux and had to give up on it because it's too complicated and incompatible.

I find the idea of having to type obscure lines of code to make an application or a game work ridiculous. If I have to do anything more complicated than point my mouse at a button and click "Install, Next, Finish" then Linux has FAILED.
Windows has been point&click for more than a decade.

Should I spend a whole weekend trying to set up Linux or forget it?

Answer 1

I tested out Linux. I dont know if i would call it crap, but i failed to see what all the HOOPLA was about. I got rid of it and never thought of trying it again.
There always is a certain group of people who are not happy with the way things are.....they buy something and instantly have to modify it/change it. Kind of like people who are really into cars. They buy a brand new car, havent had it a week and start changing the stereo and other parts. I feel thats where these people who get into Linux are coming from.

Answer 2

Honestly I'm not trolling, I really want to know.
Considering how easy it is to obtain a pirated copy of Windows, does anyone REALLY use Linux at all?

> My friend who is a network security guy doesn't use windows at all. He straight 100% linux. There are also a guy in my class who uses 100% linux too there are probably many others.

Lots of people download Linux, but downloads do not mean copies being installed and put to use.

When I Google searched the term "Linux cr*p" I found several comments by people who have tried Linux and had to give up on it because it's too complicated and incompatible.

> These people should have never used Linux in the first place. Linux is for people who are more tech savvy like programmers not for the average user.

I find the idea of having to type obscure lines of code to make an application or a game work ridiculous.

> Again it is Posix, If you don't like it don't use it.

If I have to do anything more complicated than point my mouse at a button and click "Install, Next, Finish" then Linux has FAILED.
Windows has been point&click for more than a decade.

> Windows is for noobs

Should I spend a whole weekend trying to set up Linux or forget it?

> If you want something easy go with windows. Ubuntu, Freespire and a few other Linux distros are easy to use but there still is a learning curve you need to embrace.

Answer 3

I've been using Linux for over 10 years now, in addition to Windows and Mac OS. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. You complain about typing obscure lines of code, but that's one of the strengths of Linux. With Windows and Mac OS, I'm constrained by a few choices on a menu. Under Linux, I can type one command and do what would take me 50 clicks in a point and click interface, and I can do it more efficiently and get the exact results I want. People used to say that using a Mac or Windows was like driving a Ferrari with the hood welded shut - plenty of power, but you can't tinker or improve anything and you're stick with what the factory shipped you. With Linux, you have the power and the ability to tinker, if that's what you want. Most Linux users do want to tinker. I feel like Windows and other operating systems that are limited by a point and click interface have failed for me, but I am more interested in system internals than some.

On the pirated Windows front, as a previous answerer said, some of us don't believe in stealing. It's a matter of personal integrity. If I can't afford something I don't steal it. I prioritize and budget for it, and purchase it when I have the money and desire to do so.

Calling Linux incompatible is like calling Windows incompatible - after all, there's tons of Mac and Linux software available and Windows isn't compatible with any of it. That's the point of an operating system. Apps that run on one won't run on another unless the developer ports them. It's like complaining that someone in China doesn't speak English - why should they?

It sounds like Linux isn't for you. You have to be willing and able to learn to deal with a new OS and new paradigms, and it sounds like you're not willing to invest the time and effort.

Answer 4

Everything has its pros and cons. But it sounds like you are correct. Most people use windows. Of course most of the servers on the internet use Linux. And most internet developers of course.

If you mean as a desktop toy, then you are correct. Most people who try linux as a desktop do tend to give up on it for good reason. There isnt nearly enough desktop personal-user stuff out there that will run on linux. And I hope there never is. If Linux tried to offer all of the toys, pretty stuff, games that windows supports then it would be no good as an internet server.

By all means.. unless you are trying to get into a power machine for some reason, then you definetly need to stick with Windows XP (I dont consider Vista worth moving to for a couple more years)

Answer 5

I should say forget it. You are right in a way, Linux is not point and click, though I am not familiar with your Oxford vocabulary full of stars. When the Manchester Guardian came out the first times, publicity said it was not for the people who move their lips as they read.
In the User Experience side of programming (UX) you can have Control or you can have Ease of Use, it is deemed impossible to have both in a complete way. Most humans would go for Ease of Use - after all you do not need a degree to operate a washing machine. Some people, engineers, chemists - in IT, programmers - have to go for Control and, if I may add, Understanding. They are called hackers. These days only few people want to be hackers, our governments are not fond of them. Linux is for hackers, built by them.
So buy yourself a Mac, it's wonderful and easy - Mouse Clicking for Dummies I'd call it. So long as you keep away from Windoze. Don't forget Mac has Unix underneath, though.
Again, Unix (and Linux) are for programmers, not users. You do not want to learn how to do things with a computer, but rather to teach the computer so that it does what you want.
Once my boss gave me a file with more than 5000 names on it and told me: "These users have to be configured in our system ASAP". "But sir, it will take me three days or more", I replied. "So start immediately!", he said.
It took me two hours to think of a shell script that would automate the task, then one other hour to test it to my satisfaction, then - lo and behold! - five seconds to run it. And, yes, it was on a Linux machine.
I never told my boss, I had almost three days free.

Answer 6

Such a thoughtful analysis. I am impressed. If you can't handle it, it isn't worth doing. I see. Ok, we know where you are on the scale.

Are there people that use it? Yes, of course, you can't be that brain dead, I hope. Some people use it because they enjoy challenge, flexibility, learning new things, and lots of other reasons.

Some people don't use pirated software, as a personal values statement - myself included, but you obviously are not amongst that group.

There are technical reasons for using Linux, otherwise it wouldn't be an allegedly popular server OS. I know people that use it for their work, because of who knows why? Some people object to Micro$oft's tactics. Some people use it because the software available is what they need and/or want. I do NOT use MS Office - Micro$oft insists on making it difficult to share file - why is that? It is a better file format? Dream on! How else are they going to force you to upgrade?$?$?$? Fine, I will use software that is just as good, and doesn't create problems. (Tried to share files made with the latest version of Office?)

I do use Windoze and Linux. All my machines have either XP and Linux or Vista and Linux. Sometimes I use Linux, sometime I use the other. The one thing I can not do under Linux that I can do under Windoze is play some specific games - not that I play them a lot, but I do occasionally.

What Windoze does, it often does well. I remember the days of incompatible OSes and disk formats. I don't miss it, and thank you Bill Gates for ushering in that leap forward.

What Linux does, it often does well. And I like it.

I have no use for a Mac, don't understand them, even though I did some work with them in the past. But, a Mac is better than a pen, in some cases.

Linux is a work in progress. It is about flexibility, choice, power. Windoze is a work in progress. It is about operator ease, profits, and how to get people to upgrade to the next version, so M$ can continue to profit.

Why is there so much enthusiasm for Vista among Windoze users? Isn't it the latest and greatest? Actually, I think it is probably a pretty good OS, but people have to learn to use it. Lazy people complain, moan, and gripe. Others get on with it and learn how to use it.

Why are you complaining about Linux, no one has said you need to use it. Either go back to Windoze, or, take a bit of time to learn to use it. But that is your choice.

Answer 7

The older Linux distros were tough to master, but times are changing.

If you are a Gamer, stick with Windows.

If you want to enjoy general computing, malware free and at no cost, try Kubuntu Linux. It's very Windows-user friendly.

I do tech support on Windows for a living, but use Kubuntu and OS X every day, too.

It really boils down to YOUR personal preference.

Answer 8

i like it in spite of the undeniable fact that that's Crap its no longer been an analogous considering that Dan Hunter became Killed Off on Christmas Eve 2004 i cryed all christmas my kinfolk questioned what became incorrect with me i in my opinion the omit the Hunter kinfolk Les Sally Dan Ellie Lisa Lee & Dan And Debbie Dean had the ideal love tale on hollyoaks ever rather omit them

Answer 9

If you are not a troll, you do a pretty good imitation of one, but try the latest version of Ubuntu. It's a live CD, so you don't have to install it.