Posted on 08/06/2012 8:15:49 AM PDT by ShadowAce
I have been a Linux (Linux in this article refers to Linux based Operating System) user for a quite a number of years, actually, since I owned my first PC about four years ago. All through I have been using Fedora Linux , and it has not been an easy ride all along.
Linux users have to learn how to use text editors, and how to work their way around configuration files. Initially, the issue was that Fedora Linux ships without a number of drivers, so called proprietary drivers and software. Proprietary drivers are drivers that do not conform to open source licensing terms. This means that the operating system ships lacking support for common media formats including MP3 and will also lack firmware drivers required for the functioning of some hardware such as sound cards and graphics drivers.
The missing proprietary software can however be installed by the user from the Internet, or one can opt for a Linux distribution that includes such proprietary drivers by default, such as Ubuntu or Mint Linux. Some flavours of Fedora such as the Russian Fedora Remix also include them.
Sadly, it just doesn't stop here. Once in a while, mostly every six months when most distributions release new versions, a major issue will most likely crop up.
Fedora 17 shipped with a bug that left some users unable to connect to the Internet through an ethernet cable. The issue was quickly fixed. This however required downloading of an update to fix the bug in NetworkManager, the app that connects network connectivity on Linux.
Today, after five days of trying and Googling everywhere, my Nokia Bluetooth headsets finally worked with my Linux. The issues here was PulseAudio, the default sound server for most Linux distribution is missing an audio configuration files with two lines of configuration. Bugzilla, which tracks such bugs and issues has a well documented report on the issuehttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=827629but there is no update yet to fix the issue.
While Linux has arguably the best software distribution system, all packages are held in online repositories and can be downloaded to one's PC according to needs. However, on Fedora, the RPM Package Manager which does this job suffers from a flaw too. While one can choose to update all out-of-date applications, and easily upgrade from one Linux version to another, RPM has an irritating issues known as "dependency errors"
On Linux, applications usually depend on other applications to provide some functionality, requiring both to be installed. Usually, the dependencies are usually tied to a particular version of the package since newer versions can result in changes or even no longer provide the required functionality. RPM usually checks for such dependencies and resolves them. However, the checking of dependencies does not work as intended at times, and this might lead to packages requiring packages that no longer exist after a previous upgrade. A package may also be required by two others, each requiring a different version.
Setting out to update your applications might leave you poring through bug reports and forms hours later on how to sort out your dependency issues.Other issues that have left me poring through forums for days include broken graphics on a version upgrade and poor video playback quality after a version. This excludes the long running suffering endured by Linux users due to Adobe Flash issues. It does not help that Adobe has given up on newer Linux versions of Flash, only promising to issue bug fixes.
Linux market share is estimated at between 1 percent and 1.5 per cent. Android, the hugely popular mobile operating operating system has a share of between 2 percent and 4 percent while rival iOS has between 3 percent and percent.
Android is based on the Linux kernel, same as other Linux based operating systems, however is quite easy to use for many.
Linux on the other hand, has seen usability vastly improve over the years. However, it looks like usability is yet to become a critical factor in Linux development, yet remains a stumbling block for many adopters, despite being free. This leaves Linux a preserve for technical users who can figure out the many configurations that need to be tweaked time and again.
Android is proof enough that a more usable linux experience would lead to more Linux users. How long before we get there?
The only reason I'd like to see Linux market share increase, is that it would make the internet a lot better place, with less spam-bots and zombies out there trying to either fill up your email box, or attack your network, so it can spread. Otherwise, like you, I don't really give a damn what other people use, or the number who use Linux. I try to move people away from the evil empire when I can, but if they don't want to, they get no sympathy or support from me for their choices.
To the posters who say that Linux “just works” and that as the years go by that this is even more true with each passing year - I say “you’re right”.
To the posters who say that “Linux sucks because I couldn’t get blah to work” - I would say “From your point of view - you’re also right”.
I put myself in the first camp. To those in the second camp - you’re missing out - but that’s fine - doesn’t bother me none.
Obviously for those that use it and love it - sure there is a bit of tweaking involved.
For those that tried it and gave up on it - there was probably something fairly simple that you could have done to get things working.
These two points of view are likely never going to meet in the middle - which is why these threads will always exist.
I especially like the new Unity desktop UI. It allows me to launch apps the same way I do on the Mac: by just typing a few characters of the name. Unity still doesn't work as well as Spotlight, but it's a giant step in the right direction.
Start menus are an abomination. Docks are eye candy, suitable for reviving hidden windows, but not much else. On the Mac, I keep my Dock hidden past the right edge of the external monitor.
The command line can be a pain, but Linux users are very friendly and helpful in the forums.
I got a command that allowed me to install a printer driver, the USB printing works like a charm. Getting it to work wireless is taking some thought.
but I am getting there with Ubuntu Linux, I am not afraid to try like I would have been with Windows
A fair point. These days, not much at all. Now, that didn't used to be true, as anyone who has to watch their kernel compiling after a minor tweak can attest.
Just installed Mint 13 and I have to say that from a pure user perspective, it's arrived. I showed it to a certain computer-naive user (sorry, Mom) and she picked up on the UI right away. A lot of stuff I used to say about usability - and it was perfectly deserved - appears to have been addressed.
Yeah, I love the CLI, always have. Model T mechanics used to love the buggy-whip socket (sob!)... ;-)
Yeah, it was a bummer. I haven't compiled a kernel in freaking ages though. The biggest problem I hve is keeping VMware workstation running. If you're running VMWare, don't upgrade your kernel until you know there is a patch for it ahead of time. I've been bitten by that beast so many times it drives me crazy.
Just installed Mint 13 and I have to say that from a pure user perspective, it's arrived. I showed it to a certain computer-naive user (sorry, Mom) and she picked up on the UI right away. A lot of stuff I used to say about usability - and it was perfectly deserved - appears to have been addressed.
That's good to hear. I've had similar luck with folks who aren't nerds. I have a guy that I set up on Fedora 12, and once he got used to it, he likes the fact that it just runs. i talked to him about upgrading to Fedora 16, and he just looked at me and asked "why?". I gotta admit, if it's working, why bother? I stay on the bleeding edge to stay sharp. Someday I'll just say "to heck with it", and run Mint or a similar low-maintennance distro, and just run it til it drops.
Yeah, I love the CLI, always have. Model T mechanics used to love the buggy-whip socket (sob!)... ;-)
LOL. I can relate. I live on a command line, because it is the nature of my job. Someday though, I'll probably cease to care.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.