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Comment by Ilikeruby | Hacker News Reader

The issue is a bit more than that. To make gamers and normal users switch to linux we need to make more GUI apps for linux and increase the accessability of linux GUI / DE.

Just watch the LTT videos about gaming on Linux. Linux is a Cluster** of an OS to troubleshoot and configure.

I'm a dev myself I love my Arch and everything but this OS is NOT meant for normal people.

Its 2022, people don't want to fiddle around with a terminal.

Until Linux and its users don't fix the core problem of linux and thats usability, I don't see people switching to it.

Maybe steam changes this.. but we will see..

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> Its 2022, people don't want to fiddle around with a terminal.

Is this a good thing though?

Computer illiteracy seems to be at a new high-water mark with the upcoming generation. They generally know how to punch some buttons to make a few things work, but nothing more.

If anything, I think we should be teaching the basics of the UNIX command line starting around 5th or 6th grade. Get those kids playing around and learning a bit more about their systems. Maybe teach a few little python or Javascript one-liners to automate some stuff. Not everyone will pick everything up, but a lot of overlooked kids would find a new skill that will help them no matter which direction their lives take them.

Just no.

I love the terminal and everything but we should not teach people how to use it. The terminal is not the most user friendly thing out there is it? (maybe its harsh saying "should not teach" but lets say make them aware there is a terminal but there should be alterantives)

I would not get rid of it.. ever, but I would love to see alternatives to it. People are too fixated on working from the terminal and using the terminal that they don't see that its literally the thing that gate keeps people away from trying Linux.

If you've ever worked with Windows GUI settings, it should be obvious that they really suck and memorizing a command line tool is much easier/faster.

People use the terminal because it's easier to learn and use than countless GUI windows.

The concepts aren't hard. People aren't stupid and there's no reason to treat them like they are.

I'm sorry but that comment is very out of touch with how normal, non-tech people use computers. A terminal is a major obstacle for them.

I don't know about you, but I have to tinker with Windows way more than I have to with Ubuntu.

My terminal usage on MacOSX and Ubuntu is equal - only running git commands and AWS CLI. And I play Steam games on my Ubuntu Thinkpad P1.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Windows or Macs are better, I do have a windows machine where I game and do ocasionally some work, but they are miles better when compared to Linux and its ecosystem.

Have you ever tried running an old App on linux compared to windows lets say? Windows compatibility is unmatched. I can effortlessly run old programs and games.

If a linux project is abandoned for a few years, good luck making it run. (and I know you can always recompile etc, but thats besides the point, no "normal" user will compile an app)

Which is not the argument that you originally posted.

You repeated an old cliche(which is false) and now you moved goalposts.

PS: I've tried to run multiple Windows apps that wouldn't run on Windows 11. I have an older In System Programming software, that I have to run in a virtualized Windows XP. So...

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