Linux

47976 readers

1053 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

138

How can we make Linux more appealing as "just works"? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

160 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Let's say just like for example like MacOS. It's awesome we have so many tools but at the same time lack of some kind of standardization can seem like nothing works and you get overwhelmed. I'm asking for people that want to support Linux or not so tech-savy people.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 138 points 1 month ago (10 children)

Look at the Steam Deck as an example:

Linux is preinstalled
Integrated hardware and software
Immutable OS that is very hard to bork
UI is Windows-like which is familiar to the target market
Good value for the price
Offered by a well-known and well-liked brand
Marketed and advertised to the target market

We need more Linux devices like this to gain market share.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Underlying kernel aside, I think that the Steamdeck's SteamOS is an excellent example of how "easy to use" != "smaller feature-set". I've heard countless times from apple dudes that the reason that their stuff allegedly "just works" is because of the lack of some functionally that if present would overwhelm the user. You know, as if ios and android don't share fundamentally the same user interface principles. But they do have a point, a green user can be overwhelmed when presented with a huge feature set all at once. Yet, despite SteamOS literally having a full-blown desktop environment, the UI frankly is way less confusing than my Xbox. It just goes to show that it's not about the number of features, it's about how they're presented. Power users don't mind digging into a (well designed) settings menu to enable some advanced functionality, and keeping those advanced features and settings (with reasonable defaults) hidden around the corner behind an unlocked door helps the newbie get started with confidence.

load more comments (9 replies)