Top 7 Reasons People Quit Linux

Jrome6152d ago

I dual boot linux and windows xp.

I'm on XP for 90% of the week because, well I'm used to windows and windows supports a lot of things. I also need to update my Zune etc. I also like the filesystem on windows better because it's easier to find my way around when the folders have names that make sense. Of course, this could also be because I'm more used to windows.

I'm pretty knowledgable in linux now, but linux does not really benefit me enough to make the full switch. Windows meets my needs and thats all I want.

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Lumbo6152d ago (Edited 6152d ago )

I use several server systems running Linux, it is a fast and efficient system. And i switched a few of the PC-noob friends that constantly called me whenever something went wrong on their WindowsOS (every 3 or 4 days...) to linux and thereby reduced the amount of time i had to fix broken drivers and stuck wlan cards to a minimum. Cause once installed and setup a linux system is incredibly stable for the user. Contrary to the average Windows setup.

It is a common practice in the windows world to reinstall the OS at least once a year to avoid it getting more and more unresponsive. A Linux desktop will stay usable like the day after it was installed.

Still i use Windows for myself, cause i do know what to do and how to fix its many quirky issues, and because gaming on a linux system limits you to a certain few commercial games as the OS is widely unsupported.

edgeofblade6152d ago

I have Linux on a virtual machine and on my PS3. In general, it's too much trouble. Every time I want to figure something out, it's off to a forum filled with snarkaholic sysadmins who think they're clever.

This article really seems to miss the point. Linux users brag about how little space the OS takes up or that it's free. On the other hand, Windows does a lot of the nitty gritty details for you so you don't have to "get used to" the command line. If you have a smart GUI operating system, you don't need to ever touch the command line. Why can't X function be rolled into a GUI?

The problem with Linux in general is that it askes the users to conform to the computer rather than vice versa. We live in a GUI world. I should not have to "get used to" anything.

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Finalfantasykid6152d ago

I have been using ubuntu for a few months now, and since 9.04, I've pretty much doubled my usage of the OS. I haven't even touched XP for this past week!

Rorkimaru6152d ago

I use Ubuntu Linux exclusively. I often end up having to use a windows machine for college or to help my parents out when the scary computer machine opened a window they've never seen before but on my own PC I use Linux and could never go back. It's faster, more user friendly, has better support (peer to peer) than I've ever experienced with windows and it just works.

Whenever I have to go back to using a windows machine I miss all the little details like multiple desktops and a nice organized way of accessing programs, files and settings.

And I do a lot of PC work as well. I make my own computer games (though I've never made any I'd deem internet worthy), edit sound, video and photos. I type my reports and illustrate them. I create .pdfs and even websites all with free and open source alternatives to the programs windows users throw thousands of euros away on each year.

rambi806152d ago

I used linux on my ps3.

I liked it but you do have to invest a lot of time into getting the best experience - but it is not as hard as ppl think.
The learning curve is just REALLY sharp in the beginning. Spent a lot of time in forums.

But the lack of games will always be critical

Xephon086152d ago

About a week ago i made a full switch from xp to ubuntu 9.04 its been smooth sailing from there on, i get to run WoW which was the only reason i stayed with xp, other then that its nice to see my computer booting fast and staying fast.

Ubuntu has been a great experience people on forums are friendly which is contrary to the stereotype, I'd suggest everyone here at least try ubuntu its one amazing os.

Viper76152d ago

I am also using Ubuntu, I also have Vista PC, but I rarely use it (sometimes when I want to go and play some computer games like Civ4, AOE etc etc)

Ppl who have used Linux on their Ps3 should not jugde Linux trough those experiences. Ps3 can use Linux, but the hardware support isnt really the best as Sony hasnt relased any sort of drivers for it. It will probably need hellish tweaking and learning to get it run even half decently. On PC its a lot more userfriendly.

"I also like the filesystem on windows better because it's easier to find my way around when the folders have names that make sense."

Well dunno excatly what you mean as Ubuntu has pretty much the same file system as windows. If you mean System files, then the folder names are a bit shorter than in windows, but I have used linux for a while now and I have only needed to go there to config x (using HD-tv as monitor, so...)

But for my experience the things that might turn ppl off from linux are basicly:
1. Driver problems - Some GPU:s (usualy ATI) need some tweaking to get the right drivers. Altho they might work with standard driver but to get 3D effects you might need to do some work.

2. Wlan wifi: wireless connections can really be pain in the ass if the hardware provider hasnt made linux drivers or followed any kind of standards.

Its funny tough, how majority of Linux problems are related to hardware and software support.

xbollox6151d ago

the OS is not important anymore, soon everything will happen in a browser.
even gaming: google is preparing full hardware acceleration and multi core access via a Chrome browser plugin.

this is why linux is the future: lean, mean, stable, fast and best of all: open source

vista is the GM of OSs: fat, slow, self indulgent, corrupt, an obsolete resource hog for ignorant morons who are afraid of trying something new

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Jdoki6152d ago

My laptop runs Windows, but if I just need to do something quick and can't be bothered to wait for Windows to boot I use a Linux build on a thumb drive

Just plug it in, and a few seconds later I'm running. Saves having to dual boot the machine.

Best versions to stick on a thumb drive are Puppy Linux or Ubuntu (needs U904p.exe to make Ubuntu persistent). Not tried PendriveLinux yet.

Finalfantasykid6152d ago

There's also DSL(Damn Small Linux), which is pretty popular.

Evocation6152d ago

I give linux a try every few months, each time I get better but I find configuring it the way I want to be quite hard and I make a mistake, it locks something out and I just go back to windows..

last it was lockingsamba out so I couldn't share files with other computers. >.>

CameO736152d ago

#8 It doesn't run the games I want

Don't get me wrong: I love Linux (especially Ubuntu). But if I want to get the most out of my GTX260 video card I have to run Windows. It's just the way it is. Of course you have Wine (which will run Half-life 2 pretty decent), but that will never truly be a solution since it's always three steps behind.

On a related note: Windows Vista was the best thing that could happen to Linux (it got me looking for alternatives)... but Windows 7 won't be.

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trgz6152d ago

Who could possibly have disagreed with that post? - it was 100% objective and based on fact.

trgz6152d ago

My main machine is a dual boot with XP & Ubuntu (also had DSL & Puppy Linux installed and got LDG on a stick somewhere), my 'test' laptop is solely Ubuntu (part of the hifi - trying to make a media centre for free).
As for actually using Linux, I'd say I don't really use it per se; it doesn't run any decent games (though I've yet to try Quake Live) and aside from the one occasion I got a virus on my Windows install, and used my Ubuntu boot to get in and clean it, personally speaking I've not really found a real everyday use for it. If you've got XP then most of the things you can do with it are as free as Linux. The Ubuntu install is a viable free alternative to Windows - it's pretty good while it works but problems are harder to resolve and not many PC noobs have Linux-aware buddies

Baka-akaB6152d ago (Edited 6152d ago )

The author doesnt get that while pretty much everyone wich try it loves linux , for a quite important category of people it's too much hassle for not enough rewards .

OK it's faster , but i dont see most basic users swears about the established fact that windows is slower . Nor do most of them care one bit about advanced security most of the time .

All they'll care about is their progs and games being innaccessible unless you jump through many hoops they dont want to deal with .

And that while some huge milestones were reached with graphic interfaces , it still aint good enough for the most basic users .
Quite frankly it run well , but you'll always hit some issue , just like on Windows or MacOS . The problem starts when for some of those , you gotta be knowledgable enough about linux , or spend a lots of time searching on forums .

Thins they are less required to do , beause well already used to windows of course , but mosr of all no need of text commands .

As an ex try installing some distribution on PS3 on an hdtv , you'll have to set the proper resolution by commands most of the time .

Another issue is many people are already lost at the choice of a distribution . You'll say like many Ubuntu .. but even then wich ubuntu ? Between Xubuntu , Kubuntu , Ubuntu etc... and no clear cut difference other than interfaces that jump at a newbie's eye .
Go to a forum ? They'll mostly tell him to just try the interface he wants and pick the one he likes. That's too much for soime users that dont even know what to pick between vista home , premium or ultimate :p

JasonPC360PS3Wii6152d ago

I use Linux to run my servers and then MS Office on the workstations. Linux is great at running severs but it's not as user friendly for the work and home like Windows or Mac. I would like to try a few Macs but after buying three I would be broke and out of business.

Kurylo3d6152d ago

I couldnt use linux even if i wanted to. None of the software i use is supported. Neither are all games. Besides... windows appeals to me a lot more then linux, just like using it.

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Golfcoachh6152d ago

I have a laptop loaded up with vista. I never turn it off, just hybernate so I don't have to worry about how long it takes to boot up. Have had the system for 1 year and not one crash or instance where I had to re boot. I use it for internet, games, and blogging, so there is no reason to change, and like someone said before there seems to be no standard, there seem to be tons of different versions so I don't think it even matters, windows owns this market and I don't see it changing any time soon. I was smart enough not to jump into vista until most bugs were worked out. Just like i will do with windows 7, just like I have done with every windows system since 3.11 So to each there own, but I see no need to change.

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dronde6152d ago

wow everybody agrees to each other except one person that got a disagree.

Anyway, I have linux install in my ps3. I used it like 7 times and move on to windows 7. It is good and all but it is a headache to look for drivers and sh1t.

LinuxGuru6152d ago

Dual-boot Ubuntu 9.04 / Vista here.

I use Vista for music creation program called Reason...and some PC gaming, and Ubuntu for everything else.

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menoyou6151d ago

What's the point of dual booting with Linux if you already have Vista and the hardware to support it? What can you possibly do with Linux, besides waste hours of each day configuring crap, that you can't do with Vista? lol

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LinuxGuru6151d ago (Edited 6151d ago )

What makes you think I spend any time at all configuring anything?

You spend just as much time or less configuring Ubuntu or Linux upon new installation than you do with Windows.

You have to install flash, java, other such plugins (just like windows)...the amount of needed configuration is actually very very minimal now.

Do you know how long it takes me to configure Ubuntu upon first installation?

30 minutes (that's actual OS installation time included). That includes all updates and installing needed plugins / wanted programs.

Here's what I do after I install Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras vlc

That line right there gives me every plugin I'll ever need for my browsers (as well as what is considered the most versatile media player out there) and my automatic update manager gives me the graphics drivers I need without any interaction from me but a single click on the ACTIVATE button.

After that...I'm good to go. Besides that, if there's anything I need, I open up SYNAPTIC PACKAGE MANAGER and voila! I have instant access to many many many many thousands of FREE utilities and programs for just about anything I'd ever need. Select the box next to what you want, synaptic automatically selects everything you'll need to run that program, and then you click "APPLY".

It then proceeds to download, install, and configure your selected FREE programs automatically, and a few minutes later they're ready for use.

Linux is so easy now, even you could use it.

ExcelKnight6151d ago (Edited 6151d ago )

Hey man, thanks for reminding me VLC for Ubuntu installed video plugins... I somehow forgot that the last time I installed Ubuntu.

Yay, Linux support on N4G! (of all places...)

Here, have some very well deserved bubbles.

menoyou6151d ago

Nice try buddy, but you avoided the question by trying to nit pick on a few words I added to my sentence. Again I ask: Why dual boot if you already have Vista and the hardware to support it? What can you possibly do on Linux that you can't do on Vista?

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LinuxGuru6151d ago

I'll answer your question directly:

I believe in free & open-source software for the everyday user's computing needs.

I can do pretty much the same in Linux and in Vista / XP, so honestly...depending on my mood, I'll use either one.

I like having choices, and maybe one day I'll fully make the switch to one or the other.

Until then, I'll dual-boot because I enjoy the ease of use and incredibly massive libraries of free and very useful software of Linux, and on other occasions I enjoy the gaming platform that Windows provides for me.

menoyou6151d ago

Still avoided the question there bud. Here are the answers:

Why dual boot if you already have Vista and the hardware to support it?

Answer: There is no reason to dual boot.

What can you possibly do on Linux that you can't do on Vista?

Answer: Nothing.

Conclusion: People who use linux do it for social reasons, not practical ones. Just as you explained in your post. Good day.

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menoyou6152d ago

linux sucks and only little kids who want to pretend theyre 'cool computer geeks' use it.

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LinuxGuru6151d ago

You could not be more ignorant and / or wrong.

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Rorkimaru6151d ago

Explain how linux sucks and you get a cookie... otherwise get out.

Seriously, I use it exclusively and have never looked back. You want software on your linux comp (for example today I wanted to try a DreamWeaver type app but I don't pay for software) you google "[Program] Ubuntu (or your distro) alternative" you get plenty of hits and are a double click away from an install. Most open source software prefers Linux (for obvious reasons) so we get the updates faster.

Mac is overpriced and Windows is a slow, oversimplified mess. I don't know how anyone could be a windows fanboy. With windows you have no control over your own PC. if you want to edit something in the program files directory you have to give yourself permission 3 times. The only reason that all these security measures are in place is because of the number of viruses. there are little to no viruses on Linux because most hackers agree with the free information philosophy

LinuxGuru6151d ago

With Linux OS, you have absolute and full control over your PC, from the kernel you use (if you feel like learning to modify it, if not, there's no need to ever even think about it), to every single other aspect you can think of on any other level.

Linux (especially nowadays) allows to have both a minimalist everyday user type approach to it, or a super-user in-depth full control type approach.

People like choices, and you know...if more people knew about modern Linux and how simple and easy it is now....then I guarantee you Windows wouldn't have such a stranglehold on the market like it does now.

In fact, Linux is starting to penetrate the market, through SmartPhones, and NetBooks. And that's only the beginning.

zagibu6151d ago (Edited 6151d ago )

Finally a useful toplist. I doesn't have anything to do with gaming, though, so...