This became relevant specially after 2023
Quite a few people have come to their senses. It’s taken thirty years but … hey … Rome not built in a day.
The fact they keep trying harder and harder to make me switch off a local account is reason enough.
I switched a year ago, after trying and failing multiple times over the years whenever I gave it a try.
- Linux has massively improved, systemd is a lot cleaner than the mess of disparate shell scripts it displaced. Network Manager is also a lot nicer now than I remember it being when it was first introduced into Red Hat.
- Windows hasn’t, in a lot of ways it was actually regressing. I used to get multiple shell crashes a week with no insight as to why, friends would claim it was just me but then receive an update and start having similar crashes. Also noticeable UI issues that went unfixed for multiple revisions, made it felt cheap.
- MS went all in on AI garbage and was jamming it into everything, kept getting popup notifications and the like to try Copilot, notifications went from being useful to just being an ad delivery mechanism.
- Gaming on Linux massively improved, last time I tried it OpenGL support was a mess. Now OpenGL is very mature, and all the D3D translation stuff uses Vulkan which has been rock solid for me. I’ve found games run better than they did on Windows on the same hardware, and the only game I’ve had an issue with was Destiny 2, which is intentional on the devs behalf (Luckily the game’s boring now)
I find I’m a lot more willing to let issues slide though, like I’ve had some Thunar crashes which I’m cool with since there’s like 4 devs maintaining it, vs. the multi-billion dollar company working on Explorer which I expect better from. Also unsurprisingly the only actual shop-stopper issue I’ve had was with a memory leak in the Nvidia drivers, the actual FLOSS stuff has been great.
To add to what others have said, I think Steam OS is making huge waves and that’s a really strong force.
On the flip side, SteamOS and the “success” of the steam deck is giving people here a false sense of “OMG THE YEAR OF LINUX IS FINALLY HERE!!!” because most people that buy a steam deck aren’t really “using linux” in the way that OP is talking about. They just bought a game console, and that game consoles OS is based on linux. On the steam surveys sure, it will show as say 5mil more people using linux - but that’s just 5 million steam deck sales, not laptops or desktops that have switched to Linux.
There isn’t any significant increase in people running Linux on their laptops or desktop computers.
That’s true for a lot of people, but I truly believe a very significant number of people are being exposed to Linux this way and will stick with it long-term. It will be a while until we see that reflected in the desktop and laptop statistics.
I haven’t used SteamOS (or even seen many videos of it), but from what I’ve heard it’s not shy about being a desktop operating system. Even the Steam Deck, which is marketed as a console like you said, lets you use it in desktop mode and run any Linux software without having to jump through any hoops. This isn’t like Android which is technically Linux deep under the hood but effectively completely detached from the Linux ecosystem. SteamOS is part of the Linux desktop ecosystem, and it’s proud of it.
Isn’t it the same if people use a steam deck or a computer? More people => more support for Linux software, regardless if they use the steam deck or not
Because things aren’t improving. Windows 11 is a bloated buggy mess loaded with privacy issues. They change things that have been working fine for years or decades or introduce new features that no one asked for and only get in the way and they don’t even test the changes properly to get bugs out. It’s clear they do not have users interests in mind and things are only getting worse as time goes on. The ship is sinking and Linux is the only lifeboat available.
Windows 10 is no longer receiving security updates
Not all machines that ran W10 are capable of running W11
W11 is full of AI integration, always-on data collection, and other no-sell bloatware
Linux is easier to use than ever and free
Linux is free? I think you need to have a talk with the folks over at IBM about RHEL or the folks over at EQT about SLES
Even the companies behind paid distros tend to release free versions. What they’re really charging for is support.
Well this ain’t true lmao. Win 11 is almost the same as 10. I have 0 “ai integration” on my PC. I don’t even have cloud files on one drive. And the most “bloatware” are just windows apps like calendar or contacts etc which can just be uninstalled.
Linux is also not easier to use than ever, you still need to Google every day basic functions like installing programs etc and you still have to learn terminal commands. Like cool you feel that way about windows I guess but you’re spreading misinformation
And the most “bloatware” are just windows apps
The Windows 11 Pro edition at my work had an entry for Whatsapp in the start menu after a fresh install…
This “Pro” edition had a popup ad for one of Microsoft’s games pushed as a notification. Literally a popup ad for a game coming from the Professional edition of Windows. Something my company paid extra for.
I have 0 “ai integration” on my PC.
I’m constantly playing wack-a-mole with Copilot. It’s even in Notepad by default…
Yeah, there is a reason my home PCs are all Linux Mint.
The Windows 11 Pro edition at my work had an entry for Whatsapp in the start menu after a fresh install…
That’s just a stub, an “ad”. Whatsapp isn’t installed. You can just right click and delete that shortcut.
I’m constantly playing wack-a-mole with Copilot.
Why do you not want copilot to even exist on your computer?
Idk why you have those issues. I disable copilot. I disable all taskbar add-ons, I disable and remove all notifications on the bottom right corner. I disable one drive. I have received 0 pop up ads for the entirety of windows 11 at home and at my full-time job. My wife’s computer is the same way as mine and she knows way less about to do anything but open steam and play some games.
The problem is that Microsoft doesn’t honor your wishes. There is no button you can click that says, “opt me out of all AI and cloud data features.” You can disable apps, buttons, and tracking today, but there will be new ones out tomorrow. And there may be a period of weeks or months of them sucking your data up before you figure out what they’re tracking and how to shut it down.
Like cool you feel that way about windows I guess but you’re spreading misinformation
Needing to go through and disable all the stuff sounds like managing bloat to me, no?
I’m personally angry that we have ads on the default minesweeper and solitaire. Gross
No. These are options you select when first installing windows.
There is no way to install windows fresh, have all of those items disabled, and have all of the bloat uninstalled without creating a custom image.
Linux and Windows are probably just equally as difficult to use to the average user. Might as well go Linux with less obnoxious features like copilot and recall. My dad was a Windows user for many many years, but he still knew zilch about how to solve problems in Windows. The average user would need to google anyway, no matter which OS.
And with the right distro (Linux Mint for example) you would have zero interactions with the terminal. Everything’s done via the GUI, just like Windows.
I’ve had to interact with weird things in Windows lately which I had to google up like ‘open the run programs and type in srvcmngmt.msc’ or whatever that was again. Something that apparently couldn’t have been done via the GUI. Great job!
For the record I am still mainly a Windows user.
Yeah you’re probably right. I grew up with windows and had to learn Linux around windows 10 era and it was a shitty time. I just installed Linux on a second drive but it destroyed my windows boot loader with some other terminal only bootloader thing that didn’t work. Last time I try Linux (side boot) for good. I lost so much work.
If it’s any comfort to you (heh), a Linux user trying to install Windows on a second drive would probably see its bootloader ruined by Windows as well.
That’s why I don’t do dualboots. Screw it.
you still need to Google every day basic functions like installing programs etc
To be fair, I had to do that when I tried macOS for a while years back. That is just part of learning to use any new operating system. But after a while, once you understand the basics, you will no longer need to use a reference for the basics. Linux is no different in that regard.
you still have to learn terminal commands
The only time I use the terminal is for things that are just simpler to automate via a command line. Things that I would be using a command line to achieve if I were using Windows/macOS. The kinds of things that I do in Termux on Android.
Only time I use command for windows is when I have to format a drive that doesn’t show up in disk management. On Linux I had to use terminal so much. And not to mention the god awful support for gpus. My latest headache was only one display of two would work and the other would be back unless I did a mirror, or turn down my refresh rate to 60 (both are 180hz) Oh it made me so mad lol. I give Linux an honest try at least once a year but this year it just completely fucked up a separate hard drive that has windows. Idk what happened but I put bazzite on an isolated 1tb drive, and it completely deleted my windows boot loader. I had no choice but to reformat, lost everything. Not a huge deal to some but as a music producer it was a huge huge loss. (Now I am going to just run off external drives for thet)
You absolutely didn’t have to format your windows drive to fix the missing bootloader issue. That’s like burning down your house because you lost your keys.
I tried for 3 days to fix it lol. Nothing worked. Even windows recovery didn’t do anything
It’s not an uncommon issue to happen when setting up a dual boot system. The easiest fix is to just add windows to the GRUB bootloader.
Unless your drive was encrypted using bitlocker, you could have just mounted it in Linux and recovered your data that way.
Not a huge deal to some but as a music producer it was a huge huge loss. (Now I am going to just run off external drives for thet)
Oof, regardless of OS, it is smart to keep your important files off of your OS drive. Yeah, an external drive is one way to do that.
Linux Mint is exactly as easy to use as Windows, if not easier. In Windows you also needed to google every day basic functions, but I guess for you personally that was so long ago that you don’t remember. On Windows you also need to use the terminal for some things, like removing some of their bloatware (xbox bullshit, for example).
There are some specific points I kind of agree with you about, but I don’t agree with your general sentiment. Linux is easier to use than ever.
Uh, he right though. If you think you have to use terminal and google for everything in Linux… that’s just nonsense. Lol
I made the change a couple years ago and Linux runs circles around Windows now and is pretty easy to use.
If you’re happy with windows, use it. I’m not going to waste any brain cycles arguing against someone else’s computer preference. But quit with the terminal and hard to use shit with Linux. That shit is about a decade outdated. I can’t even think of the last time I have needed to use terminal.
I’ll try it again in a few months. My issue is that I make music, I’m not going to trust the jankyness of Linux and windows emulation.
When I try Linux I do it for gaming. My next gpu will be an AMD. maybe I’ll try again then
Does LMMS still exist? There were a few other tools I used back in the day (wasn’t good at it so don’t ask for tips!)
I use fl studio and ableton, but mostly fl studio.
Looks like you can run fl studio in Bottles: https://usebottles.com/app/#flstudio
Idk wtf that means lmao. But why would someone change their entire OS for one program they use daily that works perfect on windows 11
I would be very interested in what you think about LMMS. It reminded me somewhat of FL Studio, but like I said I wasn’t really good at it so there may be features you’re lacking.
I have to say, the audio situation used to be a bit of a mess but it has gotten somewhat better.
Yeah, that’s still a thing. I’ve been making music on Linux since 2006 and there’s a ton of options now.
The first time you try Linux, you will have to take a little time to learn something that is new and unfamiliar to you. But this was true of the first time you tried Windows too.
The point is that it really isn’t hard to learn, and today it absolutely is easier than ever.
You may have disabled copilot, but it installed and integrated into the Win 11 operating system. It takes 1 update to re-enable it without your consent. If there weren’t precedent, that wouldn’t really be a valid argument, but it wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened.
Linux Mint is easier to use out of the box than any version of Windows. It is 100% usable without typing a single terminal command. If you learn apt-get, it extends functionality and is basically 1 command, which again, is optional.
To install applications it’s as simple as opening Software Manager, selecting the app, and installing. The app store is better than whatever windows has installed by a country mile.
On a fresh install it has a full libre office suite, all of the basic apps like calculator, and many others. If you don’t want that, it can be prevented at installation.
It is inherently more secure, and updates won’t revert settings or install malware like Windows updates.
Major version updates will always support old hardware. There will never be a situation like Windows 11 not supporting older hardware.
The only thing the Windows has over Linux is proprietary apps for a lot of products. For the average and most above average users, that’s irrelevant. There are options for most fields but not all. For most people, life exists in a web browser, and that works better on Linux.
Linux Mint is easier to use out of the box than any version of Windows.
How so? Definitely isn’t if you have an Nvidia GPU.
Actually, it is. Anecdotally, I’ve never had an issue with my Nvidia card playing any games. Nvidia is certainly not as good as AMD, but it’s not as bad as the memes make it seem. In the past year they’ve worked more with Linux developers to provide better drivers. Not perfect, but it’s at least stable.
Installing the Nvidia drivers on Linux isn’t anymore difficult than it is on Windows.
If you haven’t used Linux within the last at couple of two years, then your experience is outdated and not relevant. There have been huge QoL improvements over that time.
Is it as good as Windows is with nvidia gpus out of the box? No.
I believe so, yes. For the vast majority of people, it will be seamless, same as with Windows.
Nvidia gpu’s actually work out of the box when you use them with windows.
W11 is full of AI integration, always-on data collection, and other no-sell bloatware
Windows 10 is the exact same BS, but 10% less in your face AI. Have people really been frog boiled this badly?
I certainly was pre-Steam Deck, religiously looking after every Windows update for how I’d have to debloat the thing. After seeing firsthand how easy the SD was, I figured even my dumb ass can manage to search for instructions. Laptop is on Nobara now. Sometimes I have problems, but they’re rarer than they were in Windows and an easy search has solved them all so far.
Much of that dubious functionality can be turned off in Win10. Not so in AI heavy Win11
Windows 10 is no longer receiving security updates
I thought it was until October?
If folk wait until October, they will be more likely to go with windows 11 out of necessity. Better to learn while 10 is still an option.
For most people 11 isn’t an option without buying a new computer.
I can only answer why I dropped Windows. I wasn’t going to pay a company to force AI spyware onto my system, ignore my commands with every update that negated them, or hold my data hostage if I didn’t jump through their endless hoops; all to claim my data as theirs with their end goal being to charge me more money for accessing what is supposed to be mine in the first place!
This. The minute I figure out how to gracefully migrate my VMs off of Hyper-V I’m done with it. My kids’ machines would already be migrated if they weren’t Roblox enjoyers.
For Roblox, there’s Sober. It works (IIRC) by putting the android version of Roblox in a container and passing the appropriate system calls to the Linux machine. It doesn’t need to worry about issues with Roblox’s Byfron anticheat since Byfron hasn’t been implemented there (yet).
There are tools for converting Hyper-V drives to vmdks that everything can read. Then just fire up new kvm instances and load the disk images.
Honest question: can Roblox be played via Steam in a Linux pc?
It does look like Roblox is trying to kill the Linux workarounds, though.
This has been the big issue. I’m confident I can tinker something into working, either with Sober as @osbo9991@lemmy.world said or with enough fighting with Lutris/Proton/Wine for today But when the developers are actively working to prevent it. it’s a hard sell when we already have the Windows install and it’s already working, particularly for something they’ll (nominally) outgrow in a few more years.
recently switched from macos to arch linux and ive never been so happy with an OS
Source?
I don’t know, just noticed that the Linux userbase is growing significantly
Where? Here? This is a Linux echo chamber (not that it’s bad).
Is that an avg of 1% growth over 7 years?
According to Steam: in the last 3 years there has been 150% growth in Linux users
And according to Pornhub, in 2024 there was a 41% growth in Linux users.
According to Steam: in the last 3 years there has been 150% growth in Linux users
Steam deck.
And according to Pornhub, in 2024 there was a 41% growth in Linux users.
Steam deck.
According to Steam: in the last 3 years there has been 150% growth in Linux users
Steam deck.
The Steam deck is less than 10% of Steam’s linux installs. It identifies as Arch, and that category also includes Arch, which is a popular distro in general. The 150% growth in Linux users is certainly helped by the Steam Deck, but it isn’t the primary growth driver. People are simply using Linux more and more as Linux continues to improve and Windows backslides.
From Steam’s hardware survey:
It’s good regardless of which device is driving this, but I don’t think people are watching that much porn on the steam deck
Pornhub requires a VPN or other workaround in many states/regions. So yeah, the more tech literate do that thing. See also: Steam Deck.
Copilot. Win11 working only on mew hardware. Win10 going out of support. Basic bloated operation with little concern for what users want.
You’re in a linux loving, windows hating bubble here on Lemmy. There is no significant number of people migrating from windows to linux according to any metric we have.
Linux is growing according to the data, but at a slow pace https://www.gamingonlinux.com/steam-tracker/#engsplitanchor
https://www.pornhub.com/insights/2024-year-in-review#devices-tech
But according to PornHub… so is Windows
The amount of work I was spending to fight the recurring bloat of shit in Windows 10 was eating away at me for years… I had the OS drive in my computer die a little over 2 years ago, so I was having to re-install windows from scratch on a new drive, and going through the install process, see skype and one-drive horse-shit popping up - disabling both, running updates, and they pop back up again… It just killed my spirit. I went distro searching that same day. My laptop followed suit about 6 months later. I never even bothered to finish setting up windows. I left the drive in there with dual-boot options for maybe 3 months before I just re-formatted it to BTRFS for more storage space in Linux.
MS will be very hard pressed to win me back.
Windows 11 has a massive keylogger built in. For decades we associated them with malware and now Windows is trying to normalize it as “good for the user.”
They say it’s off by default. But that’s like me having the detonation for a nuke casually sitting on my desk. Sure I could just not hit the button but I don’t want that shit in the same zip code as me.
Because LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX LINUX
This is not happening in the wider world, not on any appreciable scale. Here comes lemmy:
“NOAW! People ARE switching in DROVES!”
LOL, the vast majority of people can’t spell Linux.
Some people are switching and the Linux user base is growing at a reasonable pace though
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/steam-tracker/#engsplitanchor
https://www.pornhub.com/insights/2024-year-in-review#devices-tech
