this post was submitted on 16 Aug 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Not true at all. In my experience just about everything I need to do must be installed via cli on Ubuntu, following sometimes a page long guide of shit to do.
What kind of things do you install? Typically the "page long guide"s are showing every basic step to hold the users hand. If you're installing something in ubuntu, you update your repos, then install the package.
Every time I install something in windows, the endless unique install wizards, weird spyware packaging, restart requirements, etc make me want to rage quit. Not to mention the sketchy sites most Windows freeware comes from, or the windows store that will continually re-install candy crush and minecraft.
With Linux, even the CLI you learn a handful of basic concepts and live your life. To me complaining about typing "apt get install" is akin to complaining you need to learn to read to know when the bus is arriving.
I'll admit there are three extra steps with say, installing chrome. But if you say out loud what you're doing, ie "I need to add the repository so my computer knows where to get chrome" "Now that it knows where chrome is, I'll run apt get update to refresh the packages" "Now that it knows where it is, and its refreshed, let me install it with apt get install chrome".
or if you download a deb package, the ubuntu apt store will automatically open it with a double click then you click "install".
No offense to you, but there seems to be an attitude that when trying something new, you should not be expected to learn the slightest thing about it. Sure your mom or grandpa might not be able to install it, but if you're at the point where you've acknowledged the page long guide, you're certainly smart enough to try something and give it an honest try.
Call me crazy but I'd rather have to learn how to use APT then have to learn each and every creative technique they come up with the make me install the ask toolbar or norton AV or sign me up for a newsletter. Linux has never had that problem.
Anytime I need to install something in windows, it just feels, uncivilized? Like every step of the way is disrespectful to the user. Windows is political, it has business priorities that effect how it's used. Linux feels like a rock, like yeah you can get mad at it when you drop it on your foot but the rock isn't interacting back the same way that windows is constantly changing and questioning your judgement.
I am willing to bet there are even remote terminals you can set up on their computer and fix stuff for them. Which is definitely easier than having to go there to help them out.