Specifically usability. I would say Linux is about Windows 98/early XP era for usability.
Printer drivers are not the same level of “it just works” as it is on Wondows. My Brother Printer’s features weren’t working with the default driver (scanner and double sided printing just didn’t work), so I needed to install brother drivers from their website which required sudo access.
Installing packages, and software updates also require sudo permissions. Which means to keep a password nearby or easy to remember which is hard when Windows never required it for the longest time.
Installing graphics drivers are hit or miss and requires some tinkering and research to get right. This is both for AMD and Nvidia. Open-CL is the roadblock I ran into specifically for AMD, and installing the drivers outright for Nvidia on Fedora.
For those who I am thinking of, their tech literacy is good enough to remember how to open a web browser, and find their emails. But they can’t even remember what the password is for their WiFi, so having to enter passwords daily for their machine is a massive ask, let along trying to keep the software updated and maintained. Especially when they buy new hardware and I am not around to make sure that it works. As much as I don’t like Microsoft and Apple, when you buy a new printer, or install new software, most users can work it out on their own. Linux doesn’t feel as streamlined or supported in this regard, at least for now.
With that said, compared to where Linux was not to long ago, I would say that the OS is 80-90% new user friendly, but requires as much tinkering as a Bethesda game needs to get it usable. Good for a teenager trying to play games on a budget, or a kid who wants to tinker, but for those who just want to use their iPhone and not think about anything else, it’s too much of a learning curve.
I am keeping an eye on the Immutable OS’s like Fedora Silverblue and Kinote, as Flatpak updating solves most of these issues and Fedora specifically removes the issue of system updates requiring sudo access. But until a Linux distro hits ease of use parity as Windows 7 or 10, I’ll just keep recommending Macbooks if they need new machines.
Installing packages, and software updates also require sudo permissions. Which means to keep a password nearby or easy to remember which is hard when Windows never required it for the longest time.
Macs also require a password now and then. I’m pretty sure windows does too, unless they somehow changed that in recent years.
I guess you can configure Macs to use a fingerprint reader instead of a password but that’s mostly a trap — it just means you don’t have to use your password often enough to remember where you wrote it down. Also fingerprint readers don’t work well for old people with papery dry thin skin (certainly not for my mother anyhow)
Not really much point comparing modern Linux to Windows XP on security inconvenience
Not really much point comparing modern Linux to Windows XP on security inconvenience
Not saying that Windows XP is usable today. I am more saying that where Linux is now, is where Windows was 20 years ago. I would say Windows 11 us where Windows Vista/8 is, slowly moving down to Windows ME. Soon Modern Windows and Linux will cross paths.
There are plenty of printers that just work, it’s been a long time I’ve seen a printer that doesn’t work. Do you know that sudo can be passwordless? It’s a completely made up problem, probably with the lack of any understanding of the system.
I am hoping that SteamOS will fix the usability problem of Linux within 5 years. When it is time for me to move onto a DDR6 platform, it would be much appreciated if I don’t have to deal with Microsoft shenanigans.
Specifically usability. I would say Linux is about Windows 98/early XP era for usability.
Printer drivers are not the same level of “it just works” as it is on Wondows. My Brother Printer’s features weren’t working with the default driver (scanner and double sided printing just didn’t work), so I needed to install brother drivers from their website which required sudo access.
Installing packages, and software updates also require sudo permissions. Which means to keep a password nearby or easy to remember which is hard when Windows never required it for the longest time.
Installing graphics drivers are hit or miss and requires some tinkering and research to get right. This is both for AMD and Nvidia. Open-CL is the roadblock I ran into specifically for AMD, and installing the drivers outright for Nvidia on Fedora.
For those who I am thinking of, their tech literacy is good enough to remember how to open a web browser, and find their emails. But they can’t even remember what the password is for their WiFi, so having to enter passwords daily for their machine is a massive ask, let along trying to keep the software updated and maintained. Especially when they buy new hardware and I am not around to make sure that it works. As much as I don’t like Microsoft and Apple, when you buy a new printer, or install new software, most users can work it out on their own. Linux doesn’t feel as streamlined or supported in this regard, at least for now.
With that said, compared to where Linux was not to long ago, I would say that the OS is 80-90% new user friendly, but requires as much tinkering as a Bethesda game needs to get it usable. Good for a teenager trying to play games on a budget, or a kid who wants to tinker, but for those who just want to use their iPhone and not think about anything else, it’s too much of a learning curve.
I am keeping an eye on the Immutable OS’s like Fedora Silverblue and Kinote, as Flatpak updating solves most of these issues and Fedora specifically removes the issue of system updates requiring sudo access. But until a Linux distro hits ease of use parity as Windows 7 or 10, I’ll just keep recommending Macbooks if they need new machines.
Funnily at home, Linux and Mac can use the printer, even my android with the brothers app, but windows? Nope.
I also know some old people who do web, look at photos, and spreadsheets, both are fine on linux.
Linux wasn’t up to scratch 10 years ago, today it’s simpler than windows IMO.
Macs also require a password now and then. I’m pretty sure windows does too, unless they somehow changed that in recent years.
I guess you can configure Macs to use a fingerprint reader instead of a password but that’s mostly a trap — it just means you don’t have to use your password often enough to remember where you wrote it down. Also fingerprint readers don’t work well for old people with papery dry thin skin (certainly not for my mother anyhow)
Not really much point comparing modern Linux to Windows XP on security inconvenience
Not saying that Windows XP is usable today. I am more saying that where Linux is now, is where Windows was 20 years ago. I would say Windows 11 us where Windows Vista/8 is, slowly moving down to Windows ME. Soon Modern Windows and Linux will cross paths.
There are plenty of printers that just work, it’s been a long time I’ve seen a printer that doesn’t work. Do you know that sudo can be passwordless? It’s a completely made up problem, probably with the lack of any understanding of the system.
Do I know sudo can be passwordless? Yes
But that sounds like a recipe for disaster.
deleted by creator
Why would it be? It’s like Windows is OK, and Linux is not. But actually, you can do the very same thing, interface wise.
I am hoping that SteamOS will fix the usability problem of Linux within 5 years. When it is time for me to move onto a DDR6 platform, it would be much appreciated if I don’t have to deal with Microsoft shenanigans.
Steam OS is actually the rare exception to my issues. It’s problem is that it’s only available on a steam deck,.
When it become available to mass download I will be very interested in trying it as a desktop os