Linux

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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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why did you switch? (lemm.ee)

submitted 1 year ago by NotMichaelCera@lemm.ee to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Hey everyone,

I am exploring switching over to Linux but I would like to know why people switch. I have Windows 11 rn.

I dont do much code but will be doing some for school. I work remote and go to school remote. My career is not TOO technical.

What benefits caused you to switch over and what surprised you when you made the switch?

Thank you all in advanced.

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[–] Puffymumpkins@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The amount of bloatware in windows 10 made me very uncomfortable (and the fact that they stopped supporting briefcases infuriated me) so I stayed on Windows 7 until Microsoft stopped supporting it in 2020. Tried out some distros like Mint, Pop OS, Puppy Linux. The one I liked the feel of most was Zorin OS.

The main thing that surprised me was how little I actually understood about what Microsoft has become. I did not know, for example, that you can use the Office apps online until this week. I also had been completely oblivious to Minecraft Java Edition being forked into a Linux Edition until I tried to install it. It honestly feels like waking up from a 5 year coma, where everything seems familiar but slightly different.

My main regret is that I can't tell people I'm terrible with computers now, since my family and friends know I use Linux. The upside of this is I've gained some confidence with tech since I can't just throw up my hands and go "oh no, i cant fix this, my tiny monkey brain could never comprehend the arcane arts"

[–] chocobiscuit@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I usually just say: oh that's a [what they use] problem, I don't use it so I don't know how to fix it.

[–] Puffymumpkins@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

I usually say that, but still poke at it until I figure out how hard the problem is:

If I can easily figure out how to fix the problem, I will fix
If I know what the problem is but can't figure out how to fix it, they get a free diagnosis followed by "idk how to fix that on your device"
If I got no clue what is going on, I tell them that I have no clue what's going on. I occasionally reccomend ritual magic, like leaving citrine/quartz under the monitor or letting the computer sit overnight in the light of the moon. It works sometimes ig?

Tbh the only reason I can get away with the free help is that I live a slow-paced life and usually only speak to 2-5 different people each day