The average Linux evangelist on Lemmy vastly overestimates the tech-saviness of the average person.
"Linux? Those guys who like to talk about themselves?"
Submitted 2 weeks ago by Mastersmacks@reddthat.com to [deleted]
https://reddthat.com/pictrs/image/9e441831-4e49-4a73-b2ab-958404ab6a2c.jpeg
Comments
jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
cmbabul@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
I work on the IT side of a non tech company. I don’t think vastly even comes close to covering how un-savvy the average person is
RobMyBot@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
And it’s getting worse, not better.
Honytawk@discuss.tchncs.de 2 weeks ago
It is a miracle if the average users ever learns a new program with a GUI. And will curse the gods when even a single button is moved.
And if anyone thinks they would be fine running any command on anything ever, they are deluding themselves.
A black box with a single line of text? = they are being hacked and will pull the plug just to get rid of it.
huey_m@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
I think it’s more like people still hold onto a view of the difficulty that hasn’t been true for years now in the big ones (Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, etc). I agreed with this position 10 years ago, but not anymore. Users that aren’t super technical are likely just browsing, watching video, and playing games. All that works out of the box now with nearly no set up in my experience. My 7 year old has been using it with less problems than he was getting in Windows 11 (seriously).
schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
This mirrors my experience as a dumb person desperately trying to seem to cool to nerds. I’d alwys try Linux and something wouldn’t work, I’d spend hours trying to fix it, then I’d just stop booting into it.
Been mono-booting Linux Mint with almost no problems for a year, the same time that Windows is the worst its ever been.
Honytawk@discuss.tchncs.de 2 weeks ago
Did your 7 year old setup their own Linux environment?
Because anyone can run a fully configured computer. Doesn’t matter if it is Linux or Windows.
And the problem with Linux is the setup. Too many incompatible or badly written drivers. The first step is already finding hardware that is supported.
Also, did you use the out-of-the-box experience for Windows? Or try to put in too many workarounds because you didn’t like how Microsoft handles things? I bet your 7 year old would have zero issues with a regular Windows setup.
Dpek@lemmy.zip 1 week ago
Or their ability to recognize shapes
“Press the sources button, the one with a arrow pointing into a box”
presses the home button
(That was after it turned out said person just… didnt plug it the hdmi cable, ofcource its not going to work both devices arent fucking on nor connected to each other)
Mertn33@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I tried to upvote you twice but was not allowed. So here is my second upvote: You hit the problem spot on!
Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Oh, absolutely. They’ve never had to do family tech support, and it shows.
huey_m@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
I dunno, I switched my 7 year olds laptop over specifically because Windows updates kept breaking things. Everything worked out of the box with Linux and hasn’t broken yet. He doesn’t care either way, he just wants to use his programs, and that’s been easier since switching. I say this as someone who very painfully had to use Linux for a few years about 10 years ago… the experience is just very different today. I don’t think a day to day user will notice any difference beyond better stability.
My experience is that once set up, the easy linux distros are way less likely to randomly stop working and need support. And by set up, I pretty much mean “install the OS and grab Steam”.
cute_noker@feddit.dk 2 weeks ago
Whenever you try to explain anything the conveesation is totally uninteresting
Note to self: they dont care. They dont care that they dont care
xylol@leminal.space 2 weeks ago
exactly the reason I swapped my parents pc to linux, its just stable and simple for them to use. they dont do much other than open the browser and go to youtube or just plug their phone in and copy over their photos to the pc
rumba@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Shit’s better now. That’s not to say that your average person could handle everything.
If I have a normal person linux on a usb on a computer set to boot from usb, they could totally install it.
If an update fucks over a driver or a package, they’re completely fucked.
If they need to make their own boot usb, they’re completely fucked.
If they need to configure their computer to boot from the usb if it’s not setup that way … completely fucked.
If they’re good with generic drivers, generic browsers and probably steam, they’ll be fine.
Grandma is probably fine with Linux now.
Of course, a decent number of gen-x grandmas might have actually fucked around with linux years ago :)
Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
That’s also a lot more work than I’m willing to put into using my computer when Win10 still works well enough.
FG_3479@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It would be great if Mint or Zorin had an atomic version so a failed update can be switched back in seconds and it is essentially impossible for the user to break anything outside if the home folder.
gigastasio@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
hperrin@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Mastersmacks@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
Well we wouldn’t want to commit sacrilege
lugal@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
Hated by both sides for different reasons but both are valid
homes@piefed.world 2 weeks ago
Were UNIX with every possible fancy interface feature with none of the shitty drawbacks of having to use the command line like you, Linux users
And it’s hilarious how many people here hallucinate that we have to pay for shit that we really don’t. Sure, there are a bunch of premium features that 99.99999999% of us never ever think about, and all of you constantly freak out about.
Seriously, all of the users here keep telling me about macOS and iOS features I’ve never heard of and you all shit your pants constantly about a year after year, and I’ve never heard about it or care about them.
It’s hilarious how many people here have psychotic episodes about macOS and iOS features that never bothered me. Yeah I have thousands of more features and use ability awesomeness that none of you ever get.
And my operating systems are as free as yours.
strawberry_enjoyer42@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
It’s a shame my instance has disabled downvoting.
Linux is not exclusively for anti-capitalist FOSS-lovers like myself. As you mentioned, there are multiple different corporate distros. Additionally, “The Cloud” runs on Linux: not even Microsoft uses Windows to host their services. And let’s not forget Android and Tizen!
All of that is, however, beside the point. Do you reject Wikipedia because it too is created by volunteers? Software, like knowledge, exists beyond the concept of scarcity.
If us FLOSS-lovers had our way, no one would ever have to pay for software, as it would be maintained by the community. And of course, most such projects and developers accept donations.
I hope this does not fall on deaf ears, though I understand that the concept of working to improve the lives of others (and one’s own life) without some form of direct payment is… foreign, to many people living under capitalism.
AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
I’ve never seen a software freedom or open-source enthusiast make anything remotely like this argument. When we have criticisms of predominantly open-source-based companies, it’s usually because they’re adding some kind of proprietary scamware into their systems, not because they’re charging money for their services.
Plenty of people and companies have found ways to generate income - yes, even beyond donations - while still respecting other’s rights. You’re just repeating a lie that’s been debunked and dead for years.
hperrin@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
I am a software engineer who believes software engineers should be paid for their work. I use Linux. Do I mean nothing to you??
I think most Linux users don’t have a problem with things like RHEL. I personally think it’s great. I don’t personally use it, but I have absolutely no problem with it.
The actual problem Linux users care about is when people use and modify the Linux kernel (or any other GPL project), distribute the binaries, but don’t distribute the source code. (I’m looking at you, Sony.)
Bo7a@piefed.ca 2 weeks ago
Why is it that half the time I see a diatribe with no substance but a lot of syllables just for the sake of syllables it is you?
Cut it out.
book@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Also BSD
muzzle@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
I have the privilege of never having to think about windows. Once in every blue moon I am forced to help someone using it and I am absolutely baffled at how anyone can accept to daily drive it. You all are in an abusive relationship and you have no idea.
Mertn33@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Even Microsoft are now renting Linux VMs on their cloud infrastructure.
snausagesinablanket@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
[deleted]muzzle@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Lol, apple is almost as bad, especially the iPhone walled garden.
Pieisawesome@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Hard disagree. I just started using Mac at my new job.
Why are all the hot keys wrong? Windows and Linux have fairly similar basic hot keys.
They both scroll the correct direction out of the box.
MacOS has decided my usb DAC doesn’t have volume adjust. Plug and play on windows and Linux.
marcos@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Welcome to your daily post about how Linux users talk so much about themselves…
Surrounded by zero Linux users talking about themselves.
StarvingMartist@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
I use arch btw
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
how are your feet?
TootSweet@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
And a whole bunch of Windows users clearly thinking way more about Linux than they care to admit.
Mastersmacks@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
Honestly doesn’t come up much in my day to day
Honytawk@discuss.tchncs.de 2 weeks ago
With Lemmy, you’re being constantly bombarded how Linux is the golden grail of anything, that farts cotton candy and pisses rainbows.
I’d love to think more about Linux by installing it. But just the Linux community alone is enough to deter me. I don’t want to be seen as part of that group, ever. It is honestly the worst part about the entire environment.
And because you will need to interact with them whenever you encounter an issue. I just stay far away from them until the community can get their shit together.
Just asking what distro to use will get them fighting.
zout@fedia.io 2 weeks ago
There is not a comment in this thread worthy of a shitpost, just lots of boasting how great Linux is. The Linux users don't even get the irony of this. But, you're technically correct.
Nautalax@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I don’t get why people on Lemmy care so much about either of them so passionately, I passively see more Linux vs Windows in a week here than basically the rest of my life before joining this site. Is every other person here some kind of computer science enthusiast or something like that?
spittingimage@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Is every other person here some kind of computer science enthusiast or something like that?
That’s a fair way to sum it up, yeah. Politics aside, we like to tinker with tech and Linux is inherently tinker-able.
StinkySocialist@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
It’s because Lemmy is a techy tinkering hub. The same skills and interests needed to be aware of and migrate to Lemmy lend themselves to people migrating to Linux.
Both are free and open source and arguably better than the alternatives of reddit and windows so of course there are a bunch of dorks on here trying to get you to switch.
Both also cut down on how much you can be spied on and manipulated by algorithms so that’s a big incentive to convert people too.
Zexks@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Lemmy’s full of linux fans. Theres not really much more to it
i_love_FFT@jlai.lu 2 weeks ago
Well there’s probably not enough memory to install Windows on those fans anyways…
grrgyle@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
Yup I like control and I can’t stand my computer doing things on its own.
Similarly, I can’t stand how commercial OSes are constantly trying to push their own control on customers. Walled gardens, building in advertising backdoors, pushing AI “features” trying to get customers hooked on their latest venture bubble that’s cooking the planet…
Etc, etc, etc…
waldfee@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
Yes, most lemmings use Linux and because you have to care about your choice of operating system at least a little bit for Linux there is a lot of talk about it here
schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Lemmy, like linux, has a very small learning curve that keeps out most people.
RobMyBot@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
The principles that make Lemmy attractive are the same principles that people like about Linux: freedom, openness, tech independence. The list could go on.
Point is, it’s safe to say that if you like either one, you’re more likely than the average person to like the other as well.
Ordinary_Person@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
I don’t get why people on Lemmy care so much about either of them so passionately
Weirdos who feel the need to let everyone know their team is superior, so they can feel superior. Its just as dumb as apple vs. android or Xbox vs playstation vs pc. Guys, It’s ok to like what you do and NOT shit on people who don’t do what you’re doing.
TheGreenWizard@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
I want people to have a free alternative to windows that actually let’s them know what’s under the hood, I understand that elitism absolutely exists in the Linux community, but most of us just want to see you enjoy an operating system that respects the user and isn’t at the mercy of techbro man children.
grrgyle@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
Some folks, sure.
But think of it like lemmy vs reddit. It’s not just a brand war. One of those is not really a brand at all. It doesn’t have marketers, it earns no profit, and was made to spread control around rather than to move it to a new platform.
Croquette@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Because there is an ethical implication is using Linux vs Windows.
Windows is the De Facto choice since Windows 95 at least. And Microsoft is steering computers in a anti-consumers space. So for many people, using Linux isn’t simply using a different OS but it is also a political statement.
imjustmsk@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Ig yea, I do use Linux too, but the “Linux VS WindOws” bs OS wars is everywhere tbh, but yea- if you are on reddit, you wouldnt see it cuz the algorithm knows you don’t care- on the other hand if I open reddit rn (I haven’t opened it in, god knows how long) I bet, the first post that gets shoved in my face is some fuckass stupid OS war rage bait.
One of the Reason I quit reddit was because of this kind of negative engagement farming kind of posts just filling up my feed, This place is better compared to reddit on that case, but because there’s not a prominent algorithm that tracks you, what you see is what everyone mostly sees and Ig somany privacy consious people who switched to lemmy, also uses some form operating system that respects their choice.
sunbytes@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Honestly i don’t see much pro windows stuff here. Mainly just hate for it.
But yeah the thought-journey to reach Lemmy from Reddit is a very similar journey to reaching Linux from Windows.
cows_are_underrated@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
Lemmy is quite a niche platform on the fediverse. Its open source and run by a bunch of volunteers. This is very likely to attract technical people to a much greater extent, when comparing it to other social Media platforms. This naturally means, that we have a userbase, that cares about technical topics (like Linux) to a much greater extent than on other sites.
nexguy@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Large majority of windows users never have a single thought about Linux users because they don’t know Linux exists.
GreyEyedGhost@piefed.ca 2 weeks ago
Windows users think about Linux all the time. “Why is this web site down?” “Whats happening with Cloudflare?” etc. They just don’t realize it’s Linux and don’t notice it all unless it happens to stop working. Them not thinking about it isn’t lack of concern or interest, it’s complete ignorance of the reality they live in. In fact, they probably have a computer with a *nix derivative OS that they use every day, whether their smartphone is Android or iOS.
SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
hperrin@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
It’s funny because without Linux, they wouldn’t have any of their modern luxuries, but they’re usually completely ignorant to that fact, like a bird eating fries off the ground thinking they’re really good at scavenging food.
drdalek@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Everyone knows Temple OS is the superior OS. You. Would say its divine
sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Oh.
Well, the exact reverse of this was and has been my mental state for years now, untill a seemingly insecure Windows user apparently felt the need to insinuate the opposite is actually case.
Evangelizing?
No, I don’t do that.
I answer some questions that some people have, where they’re initiating things.
Occasionally this elicits a REEEE type response from a Windows user… which I can usually counter with ‘I actually used to work for MSFT… that’s why I am now a linux user.’
utopiah@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Yes… it’s like default settings. The very action of changing a setting on any devices means you are a “power user”. You made a conscious decision on how the device should behave and you suspect it can be done. Meanwhile the vast majority of users do not even consider this a possibility.
Windows users are not using a computer, they are doing another task that happens to required a machine, they don’t learn about what it is, how it works, how it can be modified.
IMHO it was perfectly in the 70s when there was no laptop, desktop, mobile phone, mobile data. Now that one needs to use such infrastructure to interact with others, vote, pay bills, get access to culture, etc then I do believe computer literacy is not optional anymore.
Dozzi92@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Great work OP, really riled em up. Shitpost? More like successpost. Or successhit. We can work on the word later.
1984@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
It would be more accurate to say windows users don’t think, period. :)
Valorie12@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The difference between Linux and Windows is that Windows is being made terrible on purpose.
666dollarfootlong@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I use Windows 10, and I think about switching to Linux all the time. I just feel like i need atleast two whole days to backup all my important stuff, to wipe all drives clean, to config everything, but I just don’t know when I have those 2-3 days
nialv7@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
You clearly do if you went out of your way to make this meme.
Jinarched@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
The irony.
h4x0r@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
I don’t think about you at all
Creates and posts a meme depicting an imaginary interaction, because they don’t think about it.
Stefan_S_from_H@piefed.zip 2 weeks ago
WSL users: 🤪
MrJameGumb@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Linux? Isn’t that the kid from the Charlie Brown cartoons that walks around holding a blanket?
CyberTheProtogen@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
The reasons I use Windows instead of Linux:
- I don’t really care that much
- i’ve had my PC on windows for a long time and haven’t had any major issue with it
- i’ve hard it’s a lot of work, especially when you already established a lot of things on windows
- I suck at coding. Closest I can do is vibe coding and it is very shameful. I can read and somewhat understand what code does, but I don’t have the time or patience to learn. Especially since there are so many languages and my school tried to teach Java for 2 school years, HTML for 1, and CSS for 1.
plyth@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
WSL
MartianRecon@lemmus.org 2 weeks ago
Is this really a thing to hate on someone for their operating system?
Like, I use a computer to browse sites like this, play games, and do simple shit like writing (film) scripts, or playing around in Excel.
operating system never has ever crossed my mind.
samus12345@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Lemmy users:
Reddit users:
zakir@programming.dev 2 weeks ago
So, True.
PattyMcB@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Well, I wrote my own operating system using the Malbolge language. Suck it normies
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yesman@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
This is true! Ignorance of Linux is the no1 reason people don’t adopt it. This is doubly hard for Window-brains because the concept of choosing an OS is foreign to them. From their perspective it’s your boss, your school, or your parents who choose your OS.
NessD@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Even though I highly support Linux and what it’s thriving to be, but comments like this are why people don’t switch. Calling people names never is a good idea to get them to support your course.
folekaule@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Exactly. If we want people to switch to Linux, we need to make sure they are going to have a good experience. That means to accept that there are still some use cases that Windows is better for, at least for some people. If all you use your gaming rig for is LoL or you spend 99% of your workday in Excel, it doesn’t make sense to switch. Linux will be there for them when they’re ready.
hperrin@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Ok, but, like, who cares? If someone wants to eat a pile of shit to stick it to the burger enjoyers, let them.
olenkoVD@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
I think most of normal users don’t even know what an OS is, so they don’t think who is choosing it.
azimir@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Having taught a computer science course on Operating Systems it’s even tough to teach a room full of CS undergrads what one is.
kbobabob@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Is Linux an OS or a kernel?
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I talked to some colleagues some time ago and they had never heard of Linux. The very concept of different operating systems was news to them. We still have a long way to go.
xylol@leminal.space 2 weeks ago
I work with computers and end up with some old e-waste stuff every so often so Im like the person in the family that supplies people with computers, its kind of funny to me that Ive given people linux machines and they just dont notice the difference really. no one seems to install software much these days. One person I gave a linux pc to just uses steam to play her hello kitty game and uses the browser which by default is firefox, I was worried about it not being chrome but when I asked she didnt seem to mind since she uses an iphone she never really setup a google account, so no bookmarks or anything to worry about
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
yeah, i have a friend (who worked in film for a while for godssakes) who thought that Mac and Windows were just different brands and there was no functional difference except price.
Kanda@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
Windows has so little competition, most people are oblivious to choosing an OS at all.
Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
You forgot “it came on the computer and it works fine”.