Everytime Microsoft blunders, which is a lot and it is reported, it never fails that there will be numerous individuals proclaiming their switch to Linux. But I always feel like a lot of it is just simply clout, a pat-on-the-back feeling for deciding against the masses kind of feel.
And it always makes me beg to really see how those kind of people fare if they actually did switch and use Linux on a daily basis.
I’ll take anyone seriously if they actually switch and sometimes actually talk to me about how their Linux experience is going. Because more times than not, I always assume it’s some dual-boot user who could sneak their way back to Windows time to time and barely use Linux.
And I’ll see the statistics of the OS marketshare budge…slightly, for Linux. I’m proud that Linux at all that it is gaining more usage than it has before than where it had been 15+ years ago and earlier.
I could not give two shits what the reasons are and with which frequency someone uses Linux vs Windows say. If you use it you use it: welcome and enjoy your stay.
The community won’t grow meaningfully with gatekeeping and elitist behaviour.
people performatively declaring they are going to Linux doesn’t bother me at all. its good press, builds its reputation. people try new things for deep reasons sometimes, but also for casual curiosity and fashion following, and that’s ok.
No, it has never even once bothered my why people install Linux on their own hardware. Not even now that you have brought it to my attention. What is on my mind right now is why you care so much.
He’s not talking about people who actually switched but those that publicly say, “I’m switching.” But never do or immediately backtrack.
What is on my mind right now is why you care so much.
He wants to hear about those that tried it and stayed and those that tried and went back. It’s very important to know both despite his hostile phrasing.
No, the more the merrier, even if it’s pure publicity.
No. Positions Linux as an alternative in broader part of the society.
But as an actual option or not? I think OP is referring to those who say “I’m going to switch to Linux” like those politicians to pay so much lip service to freedom, democracy, privacy while at the same time voting to erode all of those.
I’m an old head, having daily-driven Linux since 2012, and so far it’s been great. And the current pathetic state of Windows further reinforces my resolve to not go back to running that OS, or when or if I do end up running it, only doing so in a VM.
no. and why does it matter to you so much? If someone wants to say they switched to linux then awesome, have at it, good job, have fun and all that. but then you roll in with “ok…how are you using it? show me!” who cares? you’re literally gate keeping an operating system.
you don’t have to commit to a damn operating system, it’s a tool. If I had a Brand A hammer and it really sucked I’d swap it for a Brand B hammer that was suggested to me. Now if Brand A suddenly started producing a better hammer and admitted their previous hammer was garbage then I would consider going back to Brand A.
If Microsoft came out tomorrow and said “you know what? we were wrong. We were wrong about AI, we were wrong about 11, we’re going to provide you with a better OS” I would consider going back to it. I’d at the very least try it. Or if someone came out with something brand new that wasn’t Linux or MacOS or Windows and it was a better tool than all of them I’d switch to that.
The point is I’m not going to lose sleep over someone wanting to switch and then not, why do I care? I got more stuff to worry about than some random stranger on the internet not using a specific OS. What DOES bother me more are people replying to comments where someone is having issues with Windows and says “just use linux” that isn’t helping anyone and you come off as a basement dwelling asshole that’s waiting on their chicken nuggies to finish heating in the microwave.
if someone came out with something brand new that wasn’t Linux or MacOS or Windows and it was a better tool than all of them
RIP BeOS
Haiku exists.
I know and I still have high hopes, but it’s still behind. Back then BeOS was what I used exclusively, these days it would need to have a version of KVM to run virtual machines to make up for what’s needed and isn’t there.
No, using an OS is not something that requires a promise of commitment. It’s a utility needed for using a computer.
As enthusiasts we want as many people as possible to use good OSs, even if it ends at just trying it out.
The more people try Linux the better regardless of their motives.Nope. Changing to another OS isn’t a commitment, people are free to do so (and announce it) as they please.
Are you, perhaps, thinking of irresponsible pet owners?
I spare very little mental capacity to how people utilize their computers where it doesn’t directly affect me. No, it is not something I find worth being bothered about. Life’s hard enough regardless.
No.
People who say “I’m switching to linux” are like people who threaten to leave the country if [fill in the blank] is elected. I pay attention more to people who say “I switched to linux” or “I left the country”. Or those who revert the decision later.
I switched and I often mention that online.
First I was on a laptop with Linux Mint and ran into innumerable issues. Used that for a few years.
Then I got a new (used) laptop after my CTRL key stopped working (among other things) and tried to dual-boot the pre-installed Windows 11 “just in case” but ended up accidentally corrupting it so gave up and stayed on all Linux for my laptop. My new laptop mostly “just worked” as opposed to my old laptop that didn’t even have working bluetooth.
Then I moved my Desktop to Linux and transferred Windows 10 to the aforementioned laptop with the broken CTRL key. That laptop has been sititng untouched in my closet since I went full Linux in mid-October.
I’m more bothered by keyboard warriors intent on gatekeeping.
Like what, exactly?
Wish I could give you an award
Here’s my analogy:
I’ve been in the culinary industry 37+ years and a lot of famous chefs have come and gone, a lot have been very disparaged by regular chefs in the industry.
But here’s the thing: those famous chefs promote your industry, which in turn offers you more opportunities. They should be embraced, and not shit on.
Anyone who shows an interest, even if it’s only ‘fashionable’ because MS fucked up again, should be given the benefit of the doubt and assisted (if that’s your thing) or encouraged to break away from the kings of enshitification.
I mean I did not post anything about switching but have commented multiple times. Fact is I should have switched awhile back as I already knew it had gotten to the point it could do everything I needed it to. Windows 11 was the tipping point. I could no longer delay and it was already a massive pain to block the telemetry and such especially since updates would regularly reactivate things…
Similar for me. I switched back in May of last year intending to dual boot as necessary until Win10 EoL, and it turned out it was never necessary.
The main thing anchoring me to Windows was gaming, and, despite hearing about it, I didn’t really understand just how good Wine had gotten since I last used it.
my reason is stupid and two fold. One is just pure laziness as I had a nice setup for my day to day on windows and it would take some effort to get going with linux. The other is I have been in IT and its kinda handy to use day to day what you have to work with or support (this includes my wife who I have not gotten off of windows). Once im working I should be able to buy a new drive and stop my last uses of windows since I have only done the super easy low hanging fruit.
