This is funny but it's telling that people often resort to exaggerations to paint Linux as hard to use. Any major distro is a lot easier to set up than it was 15 years ago.
Sure, most people's eyes gloss over the moment I try to explain the distinction between Linux and GNU, but if you're really that uncurious about how the system works then what's the point of switching to Linux anyway. Windows / Mac already get you most of the way there, especial now that WSL is a thing.
> what's the point of switching to Linux anyway. Windows / Mac already get you most of the way there
What is the point of using Windows or Mac when Linux will get you most of the way there?
Linux has a lot of advantages for users who are not interested in the technology. Longer hardware upgrade cycle, ease of maintenance and upgrades, more resource efficient, more secure (partly because it is less targetted as a desktop - but what matters is if you use Linux you are less likely to have issues), better privacy....
I agree, which is why we have a trope of grandma running Elementary OS. Windows is not actually easy to use or intuitive at all - it's just popular. Which, if you squint hard enough, looks a lot of intuitiveness. But it's not actually.
I've been daily-driving Linux for decades. I know how valuable it is. But I'm also "that guy" who likes examining every little piece of my system. I thought we were talking about the normies who just "hear good things" about Linux (especially soft-core developers) but aren't really interested in everything going on under the hood, and are willing to shell out a grand or two every couple years for new hardware and tech support.
I am talking about normies. not even developers. I mean my family, for example. My late dad used Linux for many years, my daughters do, my ex-wife used to (possibly still does). None are developers, although my daughters are somewhat technically inclined and can program (the older one is an engineer).
The point I am trying to make is that there are advantages for people who are NOT interested in every detail of the system.
> … paint Linux as hard to use. Any major distro is a lot easier to set up than it was 15 years ago.
See, I don’t necessarily think Linux is hard to use. Most desktop environments are so similar in style to Windows and Mac that they are pretty intuitive.
To me, setup is often the hardest part. It can be easy with some hardware. But if you aren’t lucky, getting a system running can be tricky.
This is one area where having someone who can make decisions is really helpful. Apple can make sure their software works with their exact hardware specs. Microsoft has various compatibility guidelines and enough market share to make sure they are always supported. Linux is fragmented and hardware support lags because of this.
Then you have smaller hardware vendors who support one obscure distro, but if that’s not what you want to run good luck. I spent last week trying to get Debian running on a Pine 64 laptop and still don’t have working sound.
Sure, most people's eyes gloss over the moment I try to explain the distinction between Linux and GNU, but if you're really that uncurious about how the system works then what's the point of switching to Linux anyway. Windows / Mac already get you most of the way there, especial now that WSL is a thing.