why Linux distros are still not rivals for MS

Discussion in 'all things UNIX' started by mack_guy911, Sep 2, 2013.

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  1. mack_guy911

    mack_guy911 Registered Member

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  2. mattdocs12345

    mattdocs12345 Registered Member

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    I've been a windows user for 16 years (ever since I was a kid) and i have to say switching from Windows to Linux is not easy. Definitely not everything works just out of the box but things have imporved a lot ever since I played with linux 7 years ago. Back in those days you couldn't even get major codecs to work out of the box. Still being what I consider myself an advanced Windows user, it took me about a week to install and properly configure Linux.
     
  3. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    @MD Years ago everything Linux seemed difficult. I didn't know anything except Windows. I can say looking back that 80% of what frustrated me was my thinking was pigeonholed to think just one way, the Windows way. Using Linux has been beneficial to my thinking. Not just in computers either. My problem solving or plain getting things to work ability has drastically improved because of Linux. This is not overstating or exaggerating the results I've gained.
     
  4. Cudni

    Cudni Global Moderator

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    Linux is fun to use and as enjoyable as Windows (especially if just starting).
     
  5. mack_guy911

    mack_guy911 Registered Member

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    well to be honest i am full time linux user the only problem i see in linux is stability issues due to not properly testing or bringing some weird change like gnome 3 when things are going smoothly :)

    some like are doing pretty well as linux mint, kubuntu and centos/scientific linux you can then full time OS without problem :)


    the biggest problem in linux community is money support, too much flexibility and dirty politics :D

    like Denis Koryavov mentioned above in blog
     
  6. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    In the old days, when Linux was CLI, it acquired a reputation for being difficult to work with and it was hard to install to the hard disk.

    Those days are gone and thankfully, Linux is easier to install and run than Windows. :thumb:
     
  7. Gullible Jones

    Gullible Jones Registered Member

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    It's a circular problem, IMO. Desktop Linux doesn't have enough support from popular software to be successful, and it doesn't get that support because it isn't successful. There are other issues obviously, but I think that's the biggest by far.
     
  8. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    I think if the popular games ran on Linux ootb M$ would be in trouble.
     
  9. pajenn

    pajenn Registered Member

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    i think it's a fixed point problem: Windows has become the reigning OS standard so most software and games are designed for it, and most people are used to it, and even if linux is intrinsically better or became better, it would still be hard to get people to switch.

    for example, the standard QWERTY keyboard is the standard now and people are used to typing on it. even if someone designed a better keyboard layout (and maybe somebody has) it would be hard to get people to switch.

    that said, linux mint = good stuff.
     
  10. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    Dvorak keyboard
     
  11. SirDrexl

    SirDrexl Registered Member

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    Maybe, but I think there are many people that don't play PC games but buy Windows PCs because that's what they find in stores.
     
  12. NGRhodes

    NGRhodes Registered Member

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    Most people don't care about the OS.

    I've never understood this desktop market share thing and never had anyone explain to me why it matters.

    Cheers, Nick.
     
  13. WSFuser

    WSFuser Registered Member

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    This:
    Maybe for some people Linux is just fine and their hardware works great and they are satisfied with the software available. However, that is not representative of all Linux users. Theres several softwares not natively available for Linux that people specifically want like top-AAA games, Microsoft Office, Adobe's suites, etc.

    You might argue that people should just dual-boot, use a virtual machine, or even have separate computers however I (and perhaps others) like Linux much much more than Windows. If it wasn't for games (mostly) I would run Linux exclusively instead of dual-booting.
     
  14. lotuseclat79

    lotuseclat79 Registered Member

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    Linux is already dominate in the server market. The user/laptop/desktop markets depend on the user to migrate - and that depends on a user that is fed up with Windows whereas Macs are too expensive for what the common user wants to pay.

    Linux is pure fun! WinXP Pro SP2 was a PITA. I haven't looked back since WinXP bogarted big time on me in June 2006 and I switched to Linux. Of course, I had little trouble since I have worked on Unix systems since the early 80s.

    -- Tom
     
  15. SirDrexl

    SirDrexl Registered Member

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    What I meant to say was that for many people, installing an OS is something they don't do. They walk into a store (or hop on Amazon or the like) and buy a PC. If all they find is Windows and a few Macs, that's what they'll get. Even if they ask their friends, chances are they won't have Linux either.

    It may seem easy to us geeks, but having to install the OS is a major barrier to Linux adoption. It would be a tall order for many casual users, especially if they view computers as appliances and don't have any desire to learn about them. I realize it is possible to get a PC with Linux pre-installed, but it's much harder to find and not even carried by many major retailers.
     
  16. TheCatMan

    TheCatMan Registered Member

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    I keep hearing many just use windows os and then virtual box or flick to linux when needed, I am starting to enjoy linux but yeah only thing that would stop me from never using windows is when you watch a trailer for BF4....
     
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