by sjn » Thu 30 Jul 2015, 09:29:35
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Outcast_Searcher', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('sjn', 'N')ever understood why everybody sticks with Windows. I can somewhat understand it from a corporate point of view, assuming they get a very good deal with Microsoft; which the biggest corporations can. "Hard-core PC gamers", I can understand. But, regular home users? What's the draw? I've been using Linux since '95, before that I used non-PC hardware since the early 80's, so I've never been drawn in, just used Windows at various employers on occasion, and in the process of fixing other people's PCs.
In the real world, ordinary folks don't want to have to be OS experts, and they like their computers to (mostly) work.
Every serious non-computer expert user I've talked to which was advised to use some version of Linux has a tale to tell, but does NOT use Linux in anyform. When trying Linux they found that they couldn't do some major function they wanted (like online brokerage, banking, etc). THEN they found the upgrade/patch/driver/fix they supposedly needed to fix the problem wouldn't install due to some obscure detail that the non-Geeks were helpless to fix. (Then they went back to Windows and continued with their computing life).
It's easy to claim that "random OS blah-blah version magic-tek-9" will solve the world's compute problems. Real world results vary wildly however, and generally not in a good way.
Real world like:
78% Android market share (new sales), yep a (non-GNU) Linux distribution.
~40% share of web servers
97% share of supercomputers
30% embedded devices
Obviously, it's working for some people.
I would buy the idea that it would need a tier 1 OEM PC maker to adopt Linux pre-installed to achieve mind-share for desktop/laptops, and to ensure all the hardware “just works”. Which has never happened due to having their hands tied.
IMHO, the core issue you touch on above isn't that people lack the technical skills, instead I suggest it's that they come to Linux with the preconceived notions they brought from Windows.
1) Assumption they need to download (binary) drivers from hardware makers
Generic Linux distributions comes with the drivers for all supported hardware, yes historically some makers have provided drivers this way, but it's increasingly rare, or in the case of graphics hardware generally unnecessary to have a functional system.
2) Expectations of things “just working” as they do on their computer under the customized OEM Windows install
A customised Linux install is far more adaptable, and supports a far wider range of hardware devices than any version of Windows or any other OS. Yes, it requires an “expert” to ensure everything works just how the customer/user wants/needs it.