Everytime Microsoft blunders, which is a lot and it is reported, it never fails that there will be numerous individuals proclaiming their switch to Linux. But I always feel like a lot of it is just simply clout, a pat-on-the-back feeling for deciding against the masses kind of feel.
And it always makes me beg to really see how those kind of people fare if they actually did switch and use Linux on a daily basis.
I’ll take anyone seriously if they actually switch and sometimes actually talk to me about how their Linux experience is going. Because more times than not, I always assume it’s some dual-boot user who could sneak their way back to Windows time to time and barely use Linux.
And I’ll see the statistics of the OS marketshare budge…slightly, for Linux. I’m proud that Linux at all that it is gaining more usage than it has before than where it had been 15+ years ago and earlier.
No. I do not care what operating system people use, how they use it, if they dual boot, etc. If someone reaches out to me for help with Linux, I will help out and provide suggestions and guidance. If someone wants to dual boot and mostly use windows, cool. If they want to go back to windows or MacOS after using Linux, cool.
I use what I use, the way I use it, because it works for me. Because I enjoy it. Because I find value in it.
What other people decide to do or not do with their operating system choice has no effect on my life, or my thoughts, whatsoever.
If I was feeling as described in this post, I would take some time away from the internet.
I’m an old head, having daily-driven Linux since 2012, and so far it’s been great. And the current pathetic state of Windows further reinforces my resolve to not go back to running that OS, or when or if I do end up running it, only doing so in a VM or on a secondary machine.
Due to the downward spiral Windows is going on right now, it ain’t touching baremetal on my main system, and that includes LTSC. I genuinely do not trust Windows outside of a VM or burner box.
sometimes people need time, it’s ok to prepare yourself for the switch by slowly going foss, for example. a lot of them end up switching eventually.
No, the more the merrier, even if it’s pure publicity.
No. People do what they do.
What I find more laughable is people complaining profusely about windows but doing nothing about it.
Using something different is hard too. Most people are somewhere between cows and idiots. I have been using Python since the late 90s even on Windows and at work too. I got some strange reactions and push back over the years. You just have to not care. We see now how that turned out. Now everyone agrees Python is useful.
Well I’m sometimes feeling like I wouldn’t be happy if Linux became the norm, as it would kind of robb me of my rebellion.
Still I’m really invested into Linux, so it ain’t just a rebellion, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants Linux to stay under the 20% marketshare.
I also want to add that dual-booting can be a really good first step and shouldn’t be looked at with disdain.
To me, Linux is the almost unbearable compromise to the mainstream, coming from BSD.
No, using an OS is not something that requires a promise of commitment. It’s a utility needed for using a computer.
As enthusiasts we want as many people as possible to use good OSs, even if it ends at just trying it out.
The more people try Linux the better regardless of their motives.I’m more bothered by keyboard warriors intent on gatekeeping.
Wish I could give you an award
Like what, exactly?
I spare very little mental capacity to how people utilize their computers where it doesn’t directly affect me. No, it is not something I find worth being bothered about. Life’s hard enough regardless.
No, it has never even once bothered my why people install Linux on their own hardware. Not even now that you have brought it to my attention. What is on my mind right now is why you care so much.
He’s not talking about people who actually switched but those that publicly say, “I’m switching.” But never do or immediately backtrack.
What is on my mind right now is why you care so much.
He wants to hear about those that tried it and stayed and those that tried and went back. It’s very important to know both despite his hostile phrasing.
I could not give two shits what the reasons are and with which frequency someone uses Linux vs Windows say. If you use it you use it: welcome and enjoy your stay.
The community won’t grow meaningfully with gatekeeping and elitist behaviour.
no. and why does it matter to you so much? If someone wants to say they switched to linux then awesome, have at it, good job, have fun and all that. but then you roll in with “ok…how are you using it? show me!” who cares? you’re literally gate keeping an operating system.
you don’t have to commit to a damn operating system, it’s a tool. If I had a Brand A hammer and it really sucked I’d swap it for a Brand B hammer that was suggested to me. Now if Brand A suddenly started producing a better hammer and admitted their previous hammer was garbage then I would consider going back to Brand A.
If Microsoft came out tomorrow and said “you know what? we were wrong. We were wrong about AI, we were wrong about 11, we’re going to provide you with a better OS” I would consider going back to it. I’d at the very least try it. Or if someone came out with something brand new that wasn’t Linux or MacOS or Windows and it was a better tool than all of them I’d switch to that.
The point is I’m not going to lose sleep over someone wanting to switch and then not, why do I care? I got more stuff to worry about than some random stranger on the internet not using a specific OS. What DOES bother me more are people replying to comments where someone is having issues with Windows and says “just use linux” that isn’t helping anyone and you come off as a basement dwelling asshole that’s waiting on their chicken nuggies to finish heating in the microwave.
if someone came out with something brand new that wasn’t Linux or MacOS or Windows and it was a better tool than all of them
RIP BeOS
Haiku exists.
I know and I still have high hopes, but it’s still behind. Back then BeOS was what I used exclusively, these days it would need to have a version of KVM to run virtual machines to make up for what’s needed and isn’t there.
Many of us have switched to Linux and haven’t looked back. Just because we’re not posting about it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
A small act of rebellion can be revolutionary to the lives it changes.
Here’s my analogy:
I’ve been in the culinary industry 37+ years and a lot of famous chefs have come and gone, a lot have been very disparaged by regular chefs in the industry.
But here’s the thing: those famous chefs promote your industry, which in turn offers you more opportunities. They should be embraced, and not shit on.
Anyone who shows an interest, even if it’s only ‘fashionable’ because MS fucked up again, should be given the benefit of the doubt and assisted (if that’s your thing) or encouraged to break away from the kings of enshitification.
