Linux - Some Recommendations

[@iriolavagno4060]

The only thing I don't agree on is the logo thing. The penguin is THE image that immediately brings Linux to mind, I would not change it, I know it's not "serious" but who cares ? it's a logo, maybe it could be restyled a bit, make it more stylized and less cartoonish, but I definitely wouldn't want it changed to something else.

[@billfarley9015]

The penguin does seem a bit cartoonish but it seems too late to change it now. Next you'll be trying to change Twitter to X. Perhaps a sterner, more dignified penguin.

[@haxwithaxe]

I think a posterized more photo realistic penguin would look plenty serious.

[@netdoll]

I feel like changing the logo would have substantial blowback inasmuch as it would invite the opposite of professional and marketable sanitized commercial-friendly contributors in the form of trans ppl and fellow travellers who would claim Xenia as the *real* Linux logo and factionalize accordingly (I'm a grudging trans Linux user myself, but I would heavily oppose this development since it would serve to sap support from various alternative "hobbyist" operating systems which are rapidly closing the gap with Linux for every use case I care about)

[@fuseteam]

The penguin is a mascot, his name is Tux xD A penguin logo would nice i suppose

[@technodruid]

Yeah of course it does FOR YOU. Not for Bob and Alice off the street

[@milohoffman274]

The problem is Microsoft and Apple have no desire to be compatible with other OS for drivers etc.

[@NeuroScientician]

Apple maybe, Microsoft not really. Thing is there is no "linux" it's just an unstable pile of garbage run by incells hating each other and will never agree on anything ever.

[@peterjansen4826]

The phone will not replace the desktop, people need to type with a keyboard, that goes a lot faster.

[@prgnify]

Maybe he means the device itself, like samsung does Dex. But then the UI and OS could be the 'same" for a phone in mobile mode and desktop mode. I'm reminded of Canonical's attempt of convergence with Unity and Mir.

[@thefearlessgeek]

Keyboards can be connected to phones and tablets either via MicroUSB or Bluetooth.

[@fdk7014]

The problem with installation is that the average Windows user never installed their operating system themselves. It came preinstalled ready to run when they bought the computer so they have no idea what installing an OS even means. They have no clue what partitioning disks is or even that they might lose their windows install if they click the wrong buttons in this strange program. I think the way to solve this is the LiveCD/LiveDVD/LiveUSB approach. You insert some device, an icon pops up that you click on and that gets you into a Linux desktop immediately, with all your files (mounted from Windows) present. That way at least users could try a Linux desktop without messing with an installer first. Now removable devices are somewhat of a relic these days so the equivalent would be a container of some sort that you download from some website, you get an icon on your Windows desktop and when you click it you get into the Linux desktop running in a virtual machine.

[@PropaneWP]

Speaking as a relatively new Linux user - or at least one who's life doesn't revolve around Linux enough to possess sagely wisdom; one of the things I missed most in the beginning was an easily accessible information source on everything Linux. Most of all, I wanted to know the bigger picture in a step by step manner, instead of having to piece things together from random fragmented info. When encountering a problem, or simply an unknown, I've had to find solutions by internet search. That in itself is fine, but it often resulted in conflicting information, outdated information or simply no relevant information at all. I often find the solutions to problems months later by accident - long after I've abandoned whatever I was trying to to. For all I know there might be very good information resources on Linux out there. However, the problem is that if the user doesn't know what they are, it's not going to do them any good. The most effective ways of obtaining up to date, relevant info should be the first thing you see offered to you repeatedly in large friendly letters whenever you install Linux.

[@letMeSayThatInIrish]

Very good points. I've been using Linux since 2000. Maybe there's a good site about all things Linux out there, but I have no idea where. It's all about finding out by accident.

[@WizardNumberNext]

Your problem may be same as mine 20 years ago Software is complex You need to take it as manageable, simple, small bits of information at the time and it will become much easier You cannot build airplane from scratch havering absolutely no idea at all (including even basic overall shape). You need to understand why airplane stay in air, how materials behave (or you repeat Havilland Comet) etc etc This takes time and effort It is no longer DOS era. You cannot learn it in week. Even bash will take you months to master, but in return you shall get extremely powerful tool. Powerful tools are complex Basic tools are stone and stick, they have limited applicability

[@Snohup]

​@@WizardNumberNext Asking chatGPT gives excellent responses on anything Linux (up to 2021). I hope in the future we'll have a local AI assistant that will help and do things for us, from the terminal or from the desktop

[@_sneer_]

It is quite easy now, usually AIs like chatGPT will be able to help you. I learn much quicker using chatbots to explain and summarise something for me. It is like your private tutor with infinite patience. I've been using Linux on desktops, laptops and servers for over two decades and still chatGPT has helped me many times to find a solution to my Linux problems.

[@haplozetetic9519]

​@@Snohup Now that is an interesting idea. There are a number of open source chat and A.I. platforms available, and one or more could be fed as much data as possible for all or specific distros as a giant repository of Linux info. This could range from history to troubleshooting and configuration information. For historical information it could point to one or more relevant site(s). Configuration and troubleshooting information could be gathered and responses from users could be monitored for what works and what doesn't in particular situations.

[@ChrisJackson-js8rd]

the biggest turn off for linux for new users, imo, is just how rude and dismissive some contributors in the various help forums are towards uninformed users some of them really seem to feel their role is more as a gatekeeper than anything else drivers and hardware support is still a big issue. but i feel hardware vendors like it this way and i dont see them being motivated to improve anytime soon. they dont want competitors benefitting from the driver and software investments they make in their own products i feel like the issues from the distros and from the software dev community - while real issues - are no worse than we see in apple or microsoft lots of room for improvement, but theyre largely competitive with the offerings from commercial vendors

[@somegeezer4058]

You're correct but to be fair I find that behaviour in forums generally, rather than something that's unique to Linux users. When you consider the definition of forum there is a certain irony in the way online forums work because anyone who doesn't agree with the status quo will for the most part be ostracised rather than debated. Maybe we should rename them to gatehouses or something.

[@ChrisJackson-js8rd]

you do make a good point about that@@somegeezer4058

[@tonywise198]

@@somegeezer4058A lot of the problem is cold text - there are no nuances. I'd agree, however, that some forum contributors can be quite toxic, and I usually put that down to either kids or fanboys and ignore them. My pet hate is replies that say RTFM. 9 times out 10 there is no manual!

[@jimbobcheezeburger2020]

I don't know much about Linux but I do know about steam deck with steamos. There's customos like Bazzite to have the most up to date drivers and quality of life features. I know Linux is getting better and more eyes are starting to discover alternatives to windows. But I am a simple man. I would like Steam to make VR better for Linux users since they would benefit greatly than windows due to less background process. Linux is still a niche that the internet hasn't appreciated as much as it should be. Any developer for Linux has my respect because that's just passion. I do wish more programs had native Linux builds since the reason many people don't switch is because they are locked into a software or feature on windows that hasn't been on Linux yet. Hopefully the outstanding progress that has been made these past years will continue to evolve

[@guilherme5094]

The only thing I disagree with is the mascot, Tux stays and that is non-negotiable. Great DJ video👍!

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

DJ Ware: Do you know that there are not enough developers reaching out to software companies to help port their software to Linux? How about the millions of users that have asked them again and again? What about the many times Linux developers have done just that, but the companies did not want to give any insight into their proprietary software, not even the structure of their proprietary file types? Add to that so many Linux developers are not making much money, if any at all, and many companies could easily hire a few people to do it, if they don't already have some that can, but they are not. This has been a constant struggle since early on in Linux, and I hardly thing it is for lack of effort on Linux developer or Linux users part. Something tells me that you didn't at all take the GNU and other open source licenses into account, and what that would mean for many companies. Besides not seeing any significant earning potential, and they will have to agree not to track, spy on, advertise to... Linux users, where they can do all that with Microsoft's blessings, and even in partnership with them. The very same thing can be said about hardware companies as for your asking why there aren't driver standards: Well there are in many cases, but no one want's to stick to them, because they can't control the market in their favor, it's not up to Linux where that is applicable. I have to see if there is a lack of effort, then maybe because it has shown to be futile, until such time where Linux is so popular they can no longer avoid it, and if anything they are also the main reason Linux isn't way more popular! On that note it really pisses me off every time some Windows or OSX (to a lesser extent) user says something like "Linux sucks because my software won't run on it!", which is false equivalence logical fallacy! If anything it's way more likely that their software is made by a company that sucks! Desktops have more value than you think! Large screens, way more performance for way more than just video editing... Can you imagine using a tablet for multi-track recording when you have some 40+tracks of instruments, 20+ plugins, a patch bay app with many connections... open...? Anyone who does that and can afford it will have more than a single monitor, often 3 to 6 maybe even more! I have 2, and use multiple desktops just to have easy access to everything. They are also really popular for DIY system builders who want to show off a box with lights dancing and what not... Desktop PC's will be around for a long time, and aren't going to disappear any time soon. As far as I'm concerned I can't stand using a tiny phone for much of anything but making phone calls, and tablets aren't much better. Even laptop makers sell more of the larger ones for their larger screens, more comfortable keyboards and performance, and for that you need more room for cooling too. Finally, besides agreeing on accessibility, even just ease of use for everyone, like voice control... I love Tux, and it's a logo with a story, and a history behind it, and I think it's kind of overly square to think a logo for tech has to be "Serious", as Linux is pretty serious under the hood, because it runs everything, including devices no one in their right mind would trust Windows to run! Look at the Android logo, does it look serious? Apple has an Apple with a bite taken out of it, WTF? Does Yahoo sound, or their logo look serious? It's not like every distro doesn't have a logo too, and most "look serious" if a logo even can convey that honestly anyhow.

[@WizardNumberNext]

Linux exists for nearly 30 years It production ready for as long as I use it (20 years) It is much more stable then anything else Adobe gives middle finger Microsoft is undecided for as long as I use Linux (they write Linux code, but won't release their office suite) There is plenty of software vendors, which won't touch Linux just because Porting you say? Today pouring can be done fully automatically. Only part of code needing porting are syscalls and DirectX. That is not so much. We are not porting from Atari to Amiga or other way around. It x86 to x86, there is nothing challenging there

[@ghostlygardener5644]

Yea, a penguin logo really isn't appropriate, it would be like having an apple with a bite taken out of it as a logo

[@CyberGizmo]

lol

[@SkylerLinux]

So the problem about standard Drivers is because Propriety code is what makes Corporations feel like they own my stuff so that they can try to rent it to me.

[@NOPerative]

Drivers are often grouped as standard soft with interfacing concerns, but the driver code object body is portable and could be wrapped with independent interfaces. Totally agree that hardware drivers are developed by the lazy and the event only makes more work when considering portability in the future or putting off modularization and better interface organization. Totally agree that hardware manufacturers need to wake up - not in the 90s anymore.

[@wagfeliz]

My comment about your sugestions : 1) I think its a confusion in this point, wine is a emulator, applications native on linux should be compiled in this plataform. 2) Already there, everything you said linux interfaces have, take a look on mint, no cmd line require to setup anything you said. 3) You said: its all sofware, and software are dependent on the os, so you need at least to compile the driver to linux. But its not beeing a problem on latest linux os, it plugandplays almost any hardware now. 4) Gaming: I am a gamedev, and I build and compile games for all plataforms using linux as dev environmnet, almost all game engines out there have linux output today. Also you said about steam, I do play games in steam, and I have like 90 titles and all run fine on linux, the ones that are for windows only runs using proton with no problem. You may have problems if you have an hardware with nvidea, thats why I recommend allways amd, that is not a problem of linux, but nvidea. 5) Mint is same as windows, and linux is the only os where you can chouse the interface, there are more then 10 different interfaces out there, I use ubuntu with cinnamon as interface for example. The thing you said about noone will use desktops anymore, I desagree, I didnt use desktops for 15 yers, but was forced to go back to desktops recently, because of the poor quality and lack of security and privacy of notebooks, mobiles, etc, also its cheaper, easier to maintain etc. Also, even if you desagree, keep in mind that all mobiles runs linux. 6) I think performance is better in linux, it dont run ghost things in background, and its preaty stable. 7) Software repositories ? Do you know linux have it right ? 8) Linux have the best security system, thats is why its the future. Canonical is a company, and its controversial. 9) Documentation is a problem in general for free open source... But you can find good detail information and help out there in forums for example. 10) Hard topic, some linux version follow a completly diferent line from others, see the origins and history of it. But I am seeing a standarization son, there is comming a big linux os based on the distribution I work on the next few years, that will be a mix of ubuntu and mint, it comes from china, but its all free open source : see OpenKylin. 11) No, sorry, I work with this kind of AI, and its not made to help you, its made to scam and control you, there is no space to this in linux as there is no interest to make this open source. If you knew what I know, you would not have smart phones and smart tvs in your home, as I dont have. 12) Using AI to listen you or get your digitals, or face identity is dangerous as stated in steep 11, but if your point is on general internationalization like language details for text, fonts, diferent keyboards etc, then I think this is the only point I agree with you, it turns out I was working on this right now for coincidence. 13) Yes, but how ? In west civs, where I guess you are from, there is no incentive from gov to do this, not long ago a corrupt congress in USA propose to ban linux because gov cant "see" what people is doing... So I guess you guys need first to get rid of this kind of politicians before thinking on education. 14) Good idea. 15) Ooo come on, the pinguin is great !

[@klaustrussel]

Point 11 is absolutely chilling. Underrated comment

[@theplaymakerno1]

Always a pleasure to listen to you, Sir......

[@SlinkyD]

The "problem" with Linux is everybody trying to make it the same thing. The Linux env is heterogeneous. You take the path you need. Choice, not force. When the Bazaar turn into the Cathedral? Never that.

[@judewestburner]

It's a difficult middle ground between innovation and standardisation.

[@albussd]

Hi DJ Ware. Been watching your videos and like your content a lot. I'm not a techie person though. I have a question. You have mentioned in your videos that Ubuntu is not among the fastest and best-performing Linux distros. However, when one looks at the benchmark tests that you show at the end, Ubuntu (22.04) ranks alright. I'm referring to the bar charts in which the more the values shown, the better it is. I see Ubuntu being in top 2 or at worse 3rd position value-wise. Which should mean that it's among the faster ones. Sure, it's less fast and performing than Peppermint, but better than Fedora for sure. Same goes for PopOS. It, too, is among the faster and well-performing distros. Would be great if you can clarify the nuances and the seemingly conflicting statements.

[@CyberGizmo]

Yeah about that, they are proving me wrong arent they and the latest release is even faster...they are improving things quite a lot.

[@albussd]

@@CyberGizmo Ah, OK. Yea, that must be it. As with all things in life, software changes with time. Thank you

[@sleepyeyesvince]

Great talking points! Something that I might add would be touching on the motivators for these improvements - altruism and curiosity has gotten us a long way, but the economics of gathering resources to implement improvements looms large in a lot of my thinking. What economic motivators can devs embrace to do the hard things? How can additional investment be encouraged? It's difficult to answer. Lastly, great choice on the thumbnail 😉👍👍👍

[@CyberGizmo]

I knew you would like it sleepy :)

[@CaNTBREaKCHRiS]

I challenge the idea that desktop PC’s will be gone by 2030, absolutely no way in hell that will happen… You’re forgetting music / audio production among others, and gaming is nowhere near ready to transition to smaller devices… Game consoles are still behind the capabilities of PC rigs built to run the most demanding games and the market for that is still strong enough that it’s not going anywhere any time soon. Will it happen eventually? Sure I guess, but 2030? Not a chance, not even close…

[@robshelby]

I couldn't agree more with needing to work with software vendors. The only reason I'm not 100% in Linux is because some of the audio plugins I need are not supported in Linux and I can't afford to hope Wine works for them. I agree with stability in a desktop environment too. My Linux servers are rock solid. But I feel like anytime I update my desktops, something breaks. Possibly that goes to your point of drivers and repos.

[@_emh]

Good video, DJ. All of your points seem spot on. PopOS seems to be a distro that is checking a number of these boxes, but certainly not all of them. It would be fantastic to have a single, community-led distro that addressed all of these points. Ubuntu had that promise in its early days, before Canonical shifted focus away from the community and toward enterprise users. Someone needs to pick up that torch and carry it forward.

[@merthyr1831]

Hopefully their new DE will revitalise the community toward these goals. Right now everyone's sorta sat around waiting for Cosmic to drop, and the existing GNOME environment does have a higher barrier to entry thanks to its reliance on C and its (for better or worse) tight knit dev community.

[@chromerims]

Greatly appreciative 👍 of your sharing Llama 2 on OpenVINO segment with Dan Siroker and Pat Gelsinger (15:16) where they run it on a local client PC node.

[@igorgiuseppe1862]

i dont thik the logo is an isssue, most people will never see it, they will see ubuntu logo, fedora logo or something else, but not the penguin

[@michaelwright2986]

For someone switching to Linux, the Installer is crucial. I finally (after 20 years of dabbling) made the move because of the Linux Mint installer, which really has thought it through from the perspective of a new user who knows nothing. Where it really wins is that it makes it easy to set up a dual-boot installation, and to adjust the size of partitions. This is important because it makes it easy for someone to try Linux without abandoning Windows. Other installers have easy options for using the whole disk (well, some other installers), but anything but the most basic install and you're into manual partitioning, and some users who just want to get on with their work ain't got time for that. Obviously not everything has to be the same in Linuxland, but I can't think of a downside to an installer like Mint's, because I can't see it stops anyone doing highly individualised installations, if they want to.

[@realpainediaz7473]

🙌

[@adjusted-bunny]

2024 will be the year of the Linux Desktop.

No company wants to invest in user facing Linux features. Canonical tried and failed two times. The only way this process will start is if EU adopts Linux as a main distro for the government and schools and makes the huge transition.

[@ericneo2]

Ironically the best way to go about it is to cut distros out of the mix and make it all Web/HTML API/Call based. User clicks the web button and it sends the cmd to the system as text under the hood. This way you develop for all devices server, desktop, tablet and phone in one go.

[@_sneer_]

@@ericneo2 yeah, what a horrible interface would that be.

[@ericneo2]

@@_sneer_ It can be Bootstrap5 for all I care, what matters is the API/Calls. Cockpit, Portainer, ProxMox, TrueNas WebAdmin or Xen-orchestra. Take your pick. Sysadmins are managing Linux from their Windows and Mac laptops via the web.

[@cbbcbb6803]

The Linux needs to be far more congenial and friendly to graphical interfaces. If Apple can slap a beautiful functional graphical user interface on top of BSD Unix, there is no reason Linux cannot do something similar and in outrage tutorial presenters (books, magazines, videos, etc.) to feature it. The cli is great when it is needed. A gui will not prevent using the cli. The use if cli or gui should be offered as strictly a personal choice. The gui should not be presented as an afterthought. No @#@! retentions, please! Thanks.

[@stepannovotny4291]

I've been nothing but happy with every new release of Debian and Gnome. It's just getting better all the time, while windows is churning more than it is improving, which drives me nuts!

[@hopelessdecoy]

I feel the same with KDE and Cinnamon, all great DEs and as much as people don't like Ubuntu they do help drive trends and motivate creativity with their moves, weather people see the moves positively or not I try to appreciate them.

[@ralfulrich6254]

I don't agree with your points. I run linux on all my work machines. Have no problems with hardware compatibility and happy to have choice. If you make it all the same, it will become a windows clone and who will decide about things? The only reason why it is still somewhat free is because of the lack of centralization. The only reason I can pick my window manager that almost nobody else uses is because it is fragmented. If you introduce to much commercial collaborations and make it a prime platform for commercial software it is a matter of time until someone will use his influence and money to do things wrong. Being free and being a unified polished product will not work together. My opinion.

[@lsatenstein]

Hi DJ. Thank you for a well thought and well done presentation. I read many comments and now it is time for my own thought Can all Linux versions support a common virtual machine with virtual architecture? If so, given the processing power of new hardware, I think it is a way to provide universitality. Provide tools for that common vm and write all applications for it. It is one way to address most of the concerns or suggestions you raised. We could,. when that common machine gets specified, call it the "Ware" VM.

[@dazealex]

Hey DJ Ware, may I ask where you got those Nixxie tubes for the time?

[@gshingles]

For a desktop user, I think configuration could be easier. Things like making systemd, cron, desltop menu mangement etc. more graphical, but keep the configuration in the original files in the original format so they can be changed either way.

[@HikingFeral]

I think a huge priority should be in optimising mobile Linux devices like laptops and tablets, to have better battery management approaching the level of Windows. The battery life on almost every single Linux device is universally terrible. Linux 2.5 hrs Windows 7. I know it's because of access to proprietary drivers but I just think more bums should be on more seats scratching more heads about this instead of making the file explorer a new pretty pastel colour. Nobody gives a crap about UX when battery life is less than half of Windows and this isn't a me problem, a quick google search shows the same discussion has been going on for 20 years... I say all this as a Linux lover who wants Windows to die, it just needs to be addressed.

[@int32_]

well, the UI devs can't really do much about it since this is more of a kernel thing. And the kernel devs are trying, but it's really hard to do efficient power management when you do not have drivers to provide APIs

[@_sneer_]

> The battery life on almost every single Linux device is universally terrible. Linux 2.5 hrs Windows 7. On mine, it is not. It is exactly the opposite, but my laptop is very low end, so bloated windows kills battery life. I run Devuan with XFCE on it and it is a blast. Easy 8-10h battery life under my normal work flow, which is ssh sessions, web browser, etc. All that with Celeron N4020 and 4GB of RAM.

[@lenwhatever4187]

Re: UIs, and in particular every application must be suited to phones/tablets. The biggest problem with this is that the default way to do this seems to be to make it work well with the tablet or phone with a complete disregard to those who are using a keyboard and large (or multi-head) screen and can work more efficiently with small windows and more than one of them on the screen at the same time. I personally feel for some work, the desktop/laptop with keyboard and mouse is much more efficient than a glass UI. I don't think the keyboard is going anywhere any time soon unless the manufactures plain out remove the possibility of using one.... Apple might (but apple has lost their edge since Jobs died) but some PC manufacture will keep making PCs with keyboards because for business use, more work will get done in the same hours. So, yes I agree, make things work on all platforms, but no don't be lazy and just switch things to be phone oriented only. My fingers are just too big to do anymore than play card games on a phone or read books on a tablet (or display sheet music). There is no doubt that the glass interface is the current king of of UI for most people (not new or coming). I am not sure I will like what may be coming next. We used to joke about waiting for "focus follows mind" but now I am not so sure I really want that. The nice thing about Linux is that one can have a gui that is made for desktop on a desktop computer and a gui made for touch on another and have both run the same application. The problem is that most developers will make the GUI work on whatever they like and use day to day. BTW, Gamers like keyboards, judging by the amount my teenager just spend on his new keyboard(s)

[@chloe-sunshine7]

Gamers like expensive things with pretty lights (half joking)

[@lenwhatever4187]

@@chloe-sunshine7 While I don't think you are far off (joking or not) humans have always liked shiny things but all new switches doesn't get any lights. The expensive part? he does have a relatively new job, so yeah, first time with money in pocket. ;)

[@cleitonfelipe2092]

My problem trying to use Linux has always been the way that I need to type something on a repository that I can't see, to get a software installed. I can't just download a file, double click it, and have it launch the installer.

[@TheBardicDruid]

Yeah, just like virus' do in the background

[@_sneer_]

you can. This works in many distros. After clicking for example .deb or .rpm it will ask to install. Also, appimage does not even have to be installed. You just download it and run.

[@user-pc4i8ege55]

IMHO, the worst thing that can happen to Linux is the adoption of one DE, one package format, one repository or any other one true thing. That'll be the death of Linux.

[@sebastianlenzlinger9291]

Why, those don‘t concern the kernel directly

[@TAP7a]

@@sebastianlenzlinger9291 Linux as a noun can, and more often does, refer to the ecosystem of distros, utilities and software related to the Linux kernel

[@chaosfenix]

Along the lines here. I think that the compatibility layers should be integral to the linux experience. Wine, Proton, and Anbox should be integral to the operating system. I get that it isn't native and that native would be better but it a user really wants to get the best performance that is something they can troubleshoot themselves. Most people just want it to work. Linux's goal should be that every application will just work. It may not be the most performant but it should just work. Intentionally not integrating these compatibility layers because they aren't as good as native applications is like not supporting applications that aren't written in C because they would be more performant if they did it that way. I think that we should have a hybrid rolling release in that applications in user space should just be updated to always be the latest version. This is also in line with the singular software repo you mentioned. It is annoying when you have to wait for your distro to actually update the package they are hosting. You may want LTS level of support when it comes to your hardware since it isn't changing but you don't necessarily want old applications with known vulnerabilities. The desktop environment is pretty important but I think that we could make it better if we made it so that switching desktop environments easier. Currently you have to uninstall and install the packages yourself. A desktop environment switcher, with no desktop environment being an option, could be very useful for an end user getting familiar with linux. The standards and collaboration is huge. Why do different distros decide to install config files etc in different places. It is honestly stupid that there isn't just a single linux way of doing things. I mean kernel developers can agree to integrate a new language into the kernel but we can even agree on where to save files?

[@int32_]

I agree, non native program support should be more integrated into distros, so it works out of the box. I think having the latest applications is a good idea in theory, but right now we have to wait for things like flatpack to fix current package management issues I don't think many people would use that, most people just use whatever is preinstalled I think we need a new file hierarchy standard. Currently, there are folders like /bin /lib /etc /usr /var. This is from the ancient days of UNIX, yet we still use this mess of a filesystem. Why not do it in a less confusing way? Let's have a single directory with a single format for configs, a directory for packages instead of /bin /usr/bin /lib, /usr/lib and let's move these directories into a system installation folder on the main disk (something like the Windows folder). I think it would also be a good idea to get rid of the mess that is dot files in /home

[@somegeezer4058]

For people that don't want to run Windows apps that would just be bloat though.

[@chaosfenix]

​@@somegeezer4058 So this would mainly be for desktop focused distros. Also yes it is bloat but how many systems are there out there that don't have 1-2GB of space to spare? The benefits of this "bloat" is that you could install whatever application there was out there and it would probably run fine. Edit. Also this could be something that you could select with a checkbox on install similar to how most installers ask if you would like to install proprietary drivers.

[@chaosfenix]

@@int32_ Yeah I hope that flatpack can "fix" a lot of the issues with that. And as for the unified file structure I like where you are going with it. Honestly I don't care as much how it is structured so long as everyone can agree on it. It feels stupid that we have different places to store files because at the end of the day it isn't like we get much of a benefit for different structures to store them. They are just files but by having different structures for storing data it makes things like backups and general troubleshooting much more difficult.

[@somegeezer4058]

​@@chaosfenix I appreciate what you're saying , Sure a lot of people would benefit from the idea, I'm just pointing out there's always a flipside. Remember a lot of Linux users absolutely detest anything Windows. What you're suggesting would get a lot of kickback. No harm in giving people options though. There's also the security risk to consider because Wine has access to your user files maybe sandboxing it would be enough, I dunno.

[@BAD_CONSUMER]

they're is no version of the future that has Linux supported mobile devices because carrier contacts with hardware vendors result in devices being heavily locked down so they can customize the experience (i.e. bloatware). imagine the common person having to learn how to root or jailbreak a device before they can learn something entirely new.

[@CyborgZeta]

Good points, all around. I think Valve has demonstrated, particularly with the Steam Deck, how Linux could be a viable gaming platform. Because Valve is able to modify the OS to suit their device, you get a much more optimized experience than running Windows on an equivalent x86 handheld PC.

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

What do you mean? It already is, and valve aren't the only ones who are allies, because since they got on board it's waken interest in other companies, and if Linux becomes more popular as the viable desktop that it is (Better than Windows for sure IMO), more companies will get in on it, and not just for gaming hopefully.

[@amiraloi1694]

I think the reason why there is no universal driver for every os, is that there are different system calls and kernel timings, also different options provided by the systems I don't think anyone would write a driver bare bones and doesn't care about what the os offers to make it easier I don't know, but it seems kind of impossible🤔

[@CyberGizmo]

System calls bridge User Land to System Land, so they go between the Apps and the OS. The OS manages the Hardware drivers through its I/O subsystem and all of that resides in system land, so no need for a syscall there.

[@CyberGizmo]

One thing I should have mentioned in the video is Intel defined a spec for interfacing host controllers years and years ago. This has morphed into many different ones today as complexity entered, but there are standards OS devs can follow to make it happen

[@prgnify]

@@CyberGizmo you mean iBCS? Probably not but I might as well ask... But honestly - you say in the video it is all software, so it can be made to work - while you are correct, it would be hell to develop. For starters, WindowsNT supports Ring 3 drivers, so those ones would have to go through the kernel like what amiraloi1694 said. Also, even if you go down more levels, concepts such as process management, memory management, I/O subsystems and messaging are implemented differently - so a singular driver wold have to support both, not to mention how different LKMs and DLLs are, and how much of a struggle it would be to make GCC or WDK compiler get the same results, because of course both systems' ABIs are so different, even if you manage to compile and load there would have to be a lot of special cases in the code. So first you would have to include in your driver cases for every difference. Then manage to compile. If you accomplish those two monumental tasks, you will still not be out of the woods, because you'll suffer making them load. Then if any of these things change in one platform or the other, good luck in rebuilding it. This last point is really important also, as if Microsoft were to believe hardware compatibility is a competitive advantage, they will try and make it so whatever is being used to port drivers or make them compatible stops working, even if by doing so they make their partners re-write parts of their drivers, they would do so because of how large the market and how much money Microsoft might offer etc etc etc., we know that...

[@int32_]

doesn't NVIDIA already use the same binary blob for different OSes with just a wrapper for each one?

[@CCJ1998]

Compared to what Linux was 20 years ago when I first installed Mandrake is leaps and bounds from what it was. Even in some ways better than Windows, which feels old and clunky. I agree we do need more software vendors on board, but the Open Source community isn't waiting, and I dare say 90 percent of the software I use now is Open Source alternatives to the stuck in the mud proprietary stuff on Windows. I don't think the desktop is going anywhere anytime soon because it's still the most efficient way of doing work. Pads and phones are good for entertainment, have fun writing code or a term paper on one. Let alone CGI artwork and hardcore gaming where you'd want a tactile interface.

[@swizzler]

I think the problem with helping programs port to linux is they have no desire to continue to maintain those ports. The entire reason proton exists is because valve attempted to get publishers to make linux versions, and a lot of studios did! using 3rd party port houses, for a single build. then never any updates. I installed borderands 2 last night on my linux machine for it's anniversary update... except the linux version didn't have that update, or any updates for the past 8 years or so, so even though it has a native linux build, if you want the current version, you need to install the windows version and run it through proton.

[@peterjansen4826]

I don't know to which extend companies like Adobe even try to port software but to be fair to them, if they use a lot of Windows-libraries that might be complicated, especially if you have a lot of spaghetticode and incorporated 20 different programs in it after buying those over a few decades.

[@xybersurfer]

good points. i share your frustration about the lack of standards and especially for drivers. one of the worst examples is how phone manufacturers can't update their copy of android without drivers from device manufacturers. one potential problem i see with abstracting drivers is very device specific features. but i'm not familiar enough, to know how common that is

[@hamobu]

Desktop will be dead by 2030? Well I better learn how to run a spreadsheet on a phone then.

[@ericneo2]

Laptops and tablets are over taking desktops by far. You can see the hardware changes over the last 2 years from the steam hardware survey. The vast majority of people have moved from desktops to laptops even in business and education.

[@hamobu]

@@ericneo2 even laptops are basically desktops when you plug them into a dock with a huge monitors and keyboard on a desk

[@alec1575]

Great vid as always(boosting interaction lol)

[@juliusfucik4011]

I think Ubuntu offers most of what you suggest, even on the hardware side. Mint does too. Debian is a little different, but once you have Ubuntu down you can do Debian easily. Even exotic distros based on Debian like #!++ which is quick and very efficient in use.

[@rabidwallaby84]

My #1 big ask for Linux...better hardware support by the big vendors like ASUS. Their ROG laptops are aggravating to get working reliably with the hardware...especially audio! I can't count the number of times I've given up on using Linux because I will lose the ability to turn my volume up & down...or my speakers lose it but the headphone port is fine...or the headphone port stops working...or my DAC stops working. It's infuriating!!! So far, Fedora has been the best for me. Debian is just too far behind on the kernel releases...and Arch is too experimental.

[@johnterpack3940]

I think distros also need to focus on differentiating themselves. Both from each other and , especially, from Windows and Mac. There are far too many distros right now that try to look like Mac, sometimes Windows. And that just perpetuates the idea that those are the standards to work towards. We won't talk about all the distros that look like a 1990s industrial terminal. Linux can do so much more than Windows or Mac. It's a shame to see devs squander the flexibility by mimicking the competition.

[@famousmwofficial8046]

and this is why unity and gnome feels more original than cinnamon, kde and lxde

[@johnterpack3940]

@@famousmwofficial8046 I hate to agree, but you're right. Can't stand gnome. But it is its own thing.

[@famousmwofficial8046]

@@johnterpack3940 or maybe we could go the chrome os route not sure if you can still install ASH on ubuntu nowadays or if theyve improved it. i remember giving it a shot loke 10. years ago.

[@merthyr1831]

I think one area where hardware/software compat. could be improved a lot is the custom configurator apps that hardware vendors release with their peripherals and devices. One example is usually keyboards which, as standard, are very well supported under Linux, but require Windows to configure things like keyboard shortcuts, macros, RGB etc. Most of these apps are small enough that vendors would probably be open to collaboration to improve support on Linux (Linux Foundation could perhaps sponsor contractors and liaise with both parties) and would immediately boost Linux's name amongst Windows users. Also, Proton etc. NEEDS to begin working on non-game applications. Photoshop etc. being Windows and Mac only is a real shame and keeps thousands of designers from daily-driving Linux. They don't need to run as good as Windows/Mac, but good ENOUGH to get Linux as their main system and to push FOSS competitors to up their game (many, imo, take their Linux user base for granted as there's no mainstream alt. on Linux)

[@fuseteam]

Sorry dj if only it was that easy, Those popular software companies are not interested in supporting linux, perhaps if a distro vendor approached them? But not sure how mucg weight their name carry, nor how much they'll charge. Whatsapp reportably demanded a million users or a million dollars for supporting ubuntu touch (a convergent version of ubuntu made for phones tablets and desktop, it had to be dropped by canonical) same story with hardware companies

[@jcameron2937]

i run ghost bsd on my mac pro 5.1 . open core legacy patcher almost bricken it but ghost bsd intalled and gave it new life.

[@LordOfNihil]

ive come to the conclusion that permissions are the thing that causes me the most problems on linux. i set up a machine in my workshop that needs to run four pieces of software. it needed to run a slicer for my 3d printer, software for my usb ossiliscope, my inspection microscope, and vlc to use on my video projector as my shop also doubles as a home theatre. i used the most recent debian with kde plasma. all the software i needed was in the gui repo, but none of it worked out of the box. i had to figure out that i needed permission to use serial ports, needed permission to use video devices, needed permission to download a dependency for my oscilloscope that the package manager completely missed. which brings up my second most common gripe, unresolved dependencies and outdated software in the repo. you want your system to be easy to use you need it to handle this stuff for the uneducated users. ive been using linux for years in headless environments, but never on a desktop. i knew my way around some of this stuff. but it still took about a 4 days longer than it should have to set it up (i can have a windows system up and running in as little as 30 minutes).

[@haplozetetic9519]

Strange. It's been a long time since I needed to add permissions for ports or video. I wonder if it is the specific software that isn't integrating correctly with the system. Drivers for Linux are often given less attention for some hardware, especially updates.

[@LordOfNihil]

you waste a lot of time barking up the wrong tree too. but its doing what i want it to do now.

[@dand337]

3 - I don't quite get your point here, but calamares is kind of what you're talking about. It would be very difficult to create a common ground and then have say gnome and kde devs to create their vision of it. I guess this would take similar amount of work to simply create a custom installer from scratch. 5 - You can't do a good interface for desktop and mobile at the same time. Windows 8 and windows phone are good example even though the shell was the only component that was the same. Gnome is trying to do that and the mobile version is awful. Imo. for linux desktop to become mainstream, there needs to be a corporation with an idea how to make the linux desktop sustainable financially and to have so much influence it would unify a lot of the space. I guess selling hardware like s76 is something like that, but they are way too small. Valve has done a lot, but they are selling consoles after all.

[@igorgiuseppe1862]

i doubt microsoft would cooperate supporting the standard for drivers

[@ManiacalMoogle]

I agree with many points, however it'd be awful to have a single DE, although I do understand what you're getting at. There are so many choices that it can be intimidating for someone coming from another platform, and the development is diluted to a certain extent. Tux is a great logo/mascot, IMO, plus every distro has their own logo. Tux actually is what got me interested in Linux as a kid, so perhaps that proves your "not serious" allegation, but it also is potentially helpful to build interest for younger generations.

[@d00dEEE]

I got bit by an ostrich in about 1975. I think the logo should be changed to an ostrich.

[@portblock]

Everything you mention is part of my reason for not using Linux Desktop. I am not disagree with you, just putting my experience to show your examples. Please note, I am a long time linux user... I only have 1 linux desktop in a VM, all my desktops are on windows, all my servers since 2005 are fedora (prior was slackware, except one is centos) - Ok all that being said, for me, I dont use linux desktop (I have tried) not because I dont like it, but because its unusable for me. The UI is terrible not modern and clean, none of my applications (that I use to earn money) are windows only - an no there are no linux alternatives, any those that try, just suck and not interoperable. Case in point SolidWorks - I can't tell clients that xxxxx is just a good, when I design a product for Bosch, they want all files in SolidWorks and Diptrace, period. All my little cool software also doesnt exist for linux, but any of the cool desktop utils on linux, well, I can recompile for windows.

[@LeDabe]

We need a better swap mechanism (whatever that mean). Swap is so transparent (I can run with a working set exceeding 20 Gio on an 8 Gio machine) on windows, on linux, if you really need swap your system basically freeze.

[@blion3d]

yeah

[@int32_]

You can change the vm.overcommit_memory sysctl option and vm.swappiness to change swap behaviour. There are also userspace utils that manage swap files dynamically like windows does. But I agree, memory management is a bit lacking in some areas

[@sebastianlenzlinger9291]

U need more ram

[@LeDabe]

@@sebastianlenzlinger9291 It cost $$ and energy tough, SSD is dirt cheap and TBH, I dont want the background task that should be in swap to be fast anyway. Why pay more for something that you do not need ?

[@LeDabe]

@@int32_ You are absolutely right, and I do tune that through `tuned`.

[@aus10d]

All very good ideas. I wish there was more leadership pushing towards these directions, but Linux-land seems so fragmented. Hoping for good changes to come.

[@user-pc4i8ege55]

Let's start with the question what is "desktop Linux" in the first place. It may be a drop in replacement for Windows, with wallpapers, icons and uniformly decorated windows or it may be a personal Linux box. Some of your questions are applicable to the first answer only, but do we even want Linux to be like that? Doesn't Linux deserve a better, unique place in our home networks?

[@CyberGizmo]

Not sure what you mean by personal Linux box, in IT parlance a desktop Linux is usually a machine dedicated to a single user with a graphical display, keyboard and a pointer device (mouse, trackpad, ball, etc.), the other class of machine is a server, which a headless machine connected to a network. In rare cases I have seen servers use a graphical user interface, but I haven't personally seen one used in over 20 years.

[@user-pc4i8ege55]

What I'm talking about used to be called a Unix workstation. It does have a graphical display, a keyboard and, optionally, a mouse. But it doesn't necessarily provide consistent look and feel, or plug and play for all imaginable game controllers. A workstation is not usually expected to run software developed for other systems. Nor does it install anything, not even security updates, without user's explicit command. On the other hand, the workstation is used to run multitasking and networking applications that use unique features of this platform.

[@simmo1024]

Open vino looks interesting.

[@moetocafe]

Linux should not lose its diversity. The main strength of Linux is exactly that - the philosophy behind it, the Free and Open Source thing and the 4 basic freedoms. And the community. Besides, there ain't that many main branches, so we definitely don't need to unify them in one, that would be like one step before killing Linux.

[@kd1s]

You just made the opening argument to break the wintel monopoly

[@TheSensationalMr.Science]

with a lot of these it is more a matter of better marketing or support within the market instead of being a beat-stick for Microsoft: 1. software vendor support? build systems for Linux? *open build service* by openSUSE or tell them about the *gnu autotools* they have the docs.... just not "the dollars" for it. {the market size in their eyes is small} 2. *calameres installer* works pretty well [has a lot of that you said.. just needs toggling]... just needs a bit more hints for new users. also configuring printers? why not use CUPs? seriously that is just run and use it feels like... as long as you are on the same subnet/network[obviously]. though yeah graphics drivers is a definite one that needs adding specifically 3. hardware support? yeah I agree with that, they should be interchangeable regardless of OS... though windows is API based and Linux is file-based... oh and proprietary software... and the final nail in the coffin, you brought it up, control. 4. gaming? yes, though this is a market thing... you need more Linux on *normal* PC's... you need to sell Linux on Amazon and Walmart. also yeah, steam is a bit buggy on Linux. 5. Desktop Environments? well there is the Cross-Desktop-Standard(XDG) Standard... oh and r/unixporn [a site for different DE configurations] allows for more control... though yeah a Linux smartphone [not android] would be nice Graphically. PS on a Desktop saying this. 6. stability and performance... yeah though that is also based on User-error as well... Linux is free... to shoot itself in the foot. I do think that standards would actually help against that as well. 7. what about the ArchWiki? I mean most consider the Arch User Repository as THE REPO and the ArchWiki as the Linux Bible. though honestly again Linux at it's core is about freedom... not one's stable rule.. though a standard might be nice to have for new and upcoming developers to use as a springboard in this regard.... that or the use of the fedi-verse [use-net] to maintain repo's by decentralized/federated connections. 8. automated security updates? well most distro maintainers allow for automated updates... though again, User Control... not Developer or Company control. security is always a users choice anyways.... as long as intel me doesn't give problems because no one could look at the code... another reason for open-sourcing firmware. 9. yeah there should be a documentation standard for some projects, though either GitHub has figured out how to set a documentation standard or has found one and developers are using it with gusto. [also fastest doesn't mean best, you could read a whole book and still get nothing about it... also different versions mismatch]. 10. standardization and collaboration? well there is the Linux Standard Base standard, the XDG Directory Standards, the GNU coding standard, ISO/IETC standards, POSIX standard, etc. there are standards... yet again they just need more marketing. 11. there are open source tools for translation and localization like *poedit* for text localization, though the more advanced tools are hidden behind proprietary walls or no one knows how to do it... or cares. though Linux does collaborate a lot. 12. yes, I would agree... how much money and parent influence and lobbying you got? not as much as Microsoft... besides you have to get over the "this is how we always did it" crowd and the one's who saw chromebooks... as system admins as well as the students who, yes, want to be able to use a computer as they have [not all sys-admins at school can keep a Linux system up and running sue to lack of training and general windows habits]. unless they are preschoolers... though again, Microsoft's strangle hold on the market comes up. 13. yep it is something that needs work on, also this could also use documentation as well so that new users know how to send bug-reports and needed data too. though yeah, privacy is a reason some went to Linux... and some are content to work as best they can on their system themselves. more power if they can easily understand it too. 14. no... that penguin is good... also really? the logo? that is the face of Linux... changing it is like changing twitter to X... a bad take. Hope you have a great day & Safe Travels!

[@MFTAQ]

Great piints and i agree 💯 sir.

[@dustsucker4704]

I dont think the Desktop will be dead in 10 years because if you want to get stuff done a small portable device is not the best user interface i have a surface tablet it's really good and I use it for work and uni but if I can use my Desktop i will because it's so much more efficient to have a mouse and keyboard that you can type on and not needing to use the Touch screen or Touchpad, PEN or the tiny keayborad on the typecover. It is certainly going to be more used and Desktops less but not that no one will use a Desktop for editing Video and or do bussness stuff. For example try editing a 30gb Excel file on your Phone within the next 10-20 years without being totally confused what you are doing.

[@n.m4497]

Nah, that fat Penguin has a good history and has now become a household name

[@user-mr3mf8lo7y]

Spot on.

[@John7No]

Great points. I don't agree that tux needs change. If linux was something new in the tech world I would say yes. But it is been 30 years now, and it is not affecting enterprises from using it.Can it be modernized? Sure! Is it blocking Linux's adoption? No way, because it does not appear as much as the logo of a distribution. For me UI and repositories(app packaging) are the main things needs to be addressed. There must be a "poster boy" for linux that all should design for and then the community can built whatever they like. The whole mess with multiple packaging formats, or gtk/QT etc is not working.

[@sachindas7937]

Rewind basically what is privacy

[@ericneo2]

I can see that being amazing in the education environment. Recording searchable lessons.

[@ManiacalMoogle]

Its straight of an episode of black mirror and creepy af

[@matthewkriebel7342]

The new Ubuntu installer is terrible. I don't think I've gotten Ubuntu installed correctly the last 3 times I've tried. The Debian installer, in text mode, continues to be the most consistent and reliable.

[@somegeezer4058]

Unfair. At this point the new Ubuntu installer is still in the testing phase.

[@ericneo2]

The 22.04 Desktop version's installer was released as stable with corruption that occurs at the end of the installation and spreads super quickly. It's still up and they couldn't be bothered to fix it.

[@juliusfucik4011]

Just yesterday I installed Debian 12 without being connected to the internet. It refused to install with an intact sources.list, which is insane to me. I could not get internet connectivity until after installation, then had to edit sources.list manually to get apt to work again. Ridiculous. Never had any of such problems with Ubuntu. In fact, my old mother uses Ubuntu and she installed it herself.

[@mikerollin4073]

Always on recording devices wired up to AI poses alot of questions about security and privacy... It's too bad that the great potential is overshadowed by the persistent creepiness of big tech corps

[@jcameron2937]

linux mint would not install nor would mac os x ventura vis OCLP

[@VeryUsMumblings]

I hate to say it, but I disagree with most of these suggestions. This seems like a wish list for all of Linux to be integrated into one O.S. that doesn't exist. The truth is that Debian and other distros are built for stability while gaming, which needs constant updates or performance would be lost. One person's 'Intuitive' interface is another person's Desktop-Icon-Mess. Making Networking 'Easy' often means creating a program that sets up the network in some basic way that may circumvent the desires of a Network Admin to set it all up another way. I've struggled with a program called Network Manager several times now, (although I've got it working now, so maybe it's getting better). Getting Windows apps to run on Linux is sometimes pointless because some Corporations simply won't agree and don't believe in the open-source model and are trully against Linux (Adobe). And it's often true that there is another app that works just as well on Linux except the individual user hasn't tried it yet. The one I agree with is the Documentation and Internationalization. Dumping Tux is just a bad idea.Maybe it could use a refresh, though.

[@NejibBenYahia]

Videos are good for new users to have an idea how "easy" is Linux :) and to give the right adresses to learn, advises and to prevent pitfalls. The effort to make is to choose the best KZbin channels, like yours. Thanks. I began to make playlists in my channel of some Linux distros and tips that interests me, as simple desktop user and that you can visit, Welcome

[@CyberGizmo]

Thank you so much @NejibBenYahia that is very kind of you

[@johnphamlore8073]

Yeah the desktop is basically legacy. Sad but true. Linux will actually be the longest supported OS on a huge mass of hardware as both Microsoft and Apple start limiting OS support to under 10 years.

[@anasouardini]

Cool video as alwasy.

[@brucehaslam]

my number on gripe with linux is software, the lac of standards and a self installer format like .exe or .msi is frustrating at least. it's 2023 and the community still arguing about which desktop environment is better or X is better than wayland or appimage is better than flatpack, we need to reach consensus fast and move on to improving and bring new stuff in

[@juliusfucik4011]

Flatpack, AppImage, Deb, apk... there is plenty. It all works.

[@alexeisaular3470]

How dare propose change tux? 😳

[@chomskyan4life]

I agree with what you are saying! Although, I feel that with proprietary software, for instance Adobe products, it is the company that is the problem. They have vested interests in not supporting Linux. On the other hand, FOSS alternatives are usually either on par or better.

[@BrickTamlandOfficial]

why would adobe have a 'vested interest' in not supporting linux? there are plenty of users of linux that would pay for adobe software.

[@JamesJacob-lr5gt]

delusional

[@KoopstaKlicca]

For anything else I would agree but there is no FOSS alternative to adobe's services lol gimp is NOT as good or better than Photoshop and never will be

[@peterbreis5407]

Linux is all about choice. Fractious Freedom _OR_ Co-operative Compatibility.

[@hopelessdecoy]

Hardware has the issue of taking so much monetary investment to develop, not to mention knowledge of a lot of different subject matters. Even something as simple as 2 printers from the SAME company have wildly different drivers but identical features..... why? Open source software works because the act of developing it is essentially money free and computers are practically ubiquitous. I think 3D printers are the start of open source hardware creation, that is why I bought an Ender 3, maybe someday we can make our own controllers and hardware at home!

[@onomatopoeial]

I'm halfway the video and after checking the remaning timestamps, here is my rant: if you are this much into standardization, why do you hate on Canonical? They are just doing the necessary evil to reach that end goal. Linux is a hobby project gone wrong which spawned many more hobby projects that constitute the open source scene as we know it today. This is all due to its gunslinger nature a.k.a. everyone making their own rules. And on top of this, there are many "foundations" formed by big corporations claiming to create standards but all they do is pushing their own needs onto unsuspecting developers so that they can get anything without giving anything back. If you REALLY think of it, Torvalds has a much bigger impact on computing than Gates but check their net worths. Heck, even MS are maintaining their own distro now, not to mention the in-house development that's not shared with the public by other companies that live off of "free" software. Those are enough to show how much they are farming the scene. So, I'm against standards, especially the ones made up by the big bois. Do you want hardware on linux? Ask for drivers. Do you want gaming on linux? Ask for Vulkan. Office? Use libre. Need scripting? Use python (macros? LOL). You ARE the consumer and have the power to demand, not the other way around. Installation and gaming are valid concerns but the rest are just steps to the dark side. no , thanks.

[@shephusted2714]

don't break debian

[@ericneo2]

Sadly Debian will break itself when you run upgrade. Debian still removes the old kernel before downloading and checking for the new kernel breaking the system. The new way of doing things is to keep the current kernel and core dependencies then setup the new kernel and core dependencies as a new grub entry to boot from, then on restart booting into the new version without breaking or removing the old working one.

[@shephusted2714]

@@ericneo2 backup your data and it is not an issue - debian is great and is so much better than all the other distros it is actually funny

[@ericneo2]

@@shephusted2714 Yea it is an issue. That's why they looked at ways to solve it because the Linux elitists are in full denial of the issue.

[@mercster]

I really, really dislike how videos have become the documentation of the 21st century. It's so gross. There's nothing worse than having a problem, and the only doc someone can forward you to is some goofy video on KZbin. I have to watch all this ancillary crap, wade through info I don't need, rely on the communication skills (or lack thereof) of the presenter... it's just awful.

[@Ancipital_]

Personally I hope it stays hacky and fragmented.

[@swagmuffin9000]

I really like installing arco linux, and I don't even use it. Best installer by far. If only we could get it on vanilla arch, Debian, and suse. Suse is my least favorite installer by far

[@notjulesatall]

There are literally teams of benevolent folks working on addressing every single of these issues. What is the point of this video really?

[@OnE61811301]

I'm mainly a Win guy, using Win since win95. I've tried switching to Linux every 2-3 years since. Til this day I think the main issue has been the same - an OS should be while you're doing your regular work on the machine. Of course, when trying weird stuff on Win you do have to dive into the config, read through forums, etc., but for Linux - this happens on day one, for absolutely trivial things where you have to spend hours tinkering, reading forums, and do hacky stuff to......... make your touchpad be able to tap on the password field on login. Until you have a smooth experience for your most mundane daily tasks, I think it's a showstopper for "regular" people using it

[@bradm1507]

Great video. Somewhat implicit in your suggestions are some overarching themes: 1) Decouple Linux evangelization from FOSS evangelization. Linux vs. Mac/Windows is handcuffed to a larger FOSS vs. Proprietary debate. To truly be a credible alternative to Mac and Windows, increasing Linux adoption--irrespective of further FOSS adoption--must become a distinct goal. 2) Support commercial software. The "free" in FOSS means "freedom," but many Linux users also are too used to not paying for anything. Why would proprietary software vendors think their software would be an exception? Donations are great, but aren't the same. If something provides value to you, you should be willing to pay for it. In return, you should be a "customer" that can provide feedback, request feature, etc. Because there is no transaction between FOSS developers and users, the developers have no obligation to take any feedback, implement bug fixes, etc. (Many do, of course, but users cannot expect it.) 3) Make development easier. All the choice with Linux means developers have to make a lot of decisions around toolkits, packaging formats, etc. And no matter the choices, they're bound to exclude some users for philosophical reasons ("I will only run native apps built with QT!"). It has to be easier than this.

[@slalomsk8er397]

Yea, we're not serous because of a playful logo - really? Do you know how long birds can live? Joking aside, I like myself a OS where the devs don't take them self's too serous and like to play a little in stark contrast to other OSs, where I feel not taken serious by the vendor and my choices and wishes get trampled on update and every new version is more disrespecting. But all this isn't making much of a difference as the only real problem that's holding back the Linux Desktop is not having gorgeous hardware in stores with a competitive price and a tailored Linux desktop PRE-installed. Android phones, Chrome books and now the Steam Deck showed the way but now it's companies like System76 to crack the 10% Linux Desktop market share.

[@ARNABOSS]

this list needs an entry 0 … as in *0day WAREZ*

[@panchopistolas2593]

Finally, someone that points out the futility of Tux. Its design looks like the mascot of a very obscure product, like those that tend to disappear, completely, from the map after sometime.

[@lazyhominid]

One desktop environment would be great if it's a low overhead one, with minimal inherent functionality, like fluxbox. Because if it isn't that, I will be using fluxbox anyway, so there will be two. ;) Thing is, there is no one size fits all desktop environment possible. There just isn't. Gnome tries that, which is why it sucks horribly.

[@JamesJacob-lr5gt]

delusional

[@user-pc4i8ege55]

One DE would be a "one size fits none" solution.

[@JamesJacob-lr5gt]

@@user-pc4i8ege55 works just fine for windows and macOS

[@user-pc4i8ege55]

@@JamesJacob-lr5gt it does to some point, but in the old days alternative interfaces were very popular under Windows and OS/2. I heard that even now you still can replace the default GUI on Windows: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alternative_shells_for_Windows So, obviously, there's demand for an alternative.

[@JamesJacob-lr5gt]

@@user-pc4i8ege55 c'mon bro, no one is using that.

[@fabriciochamorro2985]

The most remarkable point you added is that, probably, in a near future all work will de done by plugin an smartphone to a screen, keyboard and mouse(or even with a touchpad virtual keyboard). The only DE that covers that smartphone and desktop experience is gnome. Unfortunately it's not a perfect (or even polished) experience right know. But every single change is done, imo, aims to cover that kind of work. Even windows is working on changing their legacy image to a macos like one, to cover both touch/smartphone and desktop paradigms. They have the issue of old school desktop users holding back the ux. On the unix like side happens the same with wm. I don't pretend to be a gnome fanboy, but it's easy to attack their work (resource usage, minimalism, not customizable) without considering that, for example, a keyboard focused wm is most probable useless on a touch device

[@prgnify]

Plasma mobile? Especially since KDE is trying to move more and more stuff to QML and Kirigami... But honestly, I wouldn't mind at all using different interfaces when the phone is in mobile mode versus desktop mode. Each case has different input methods, which can benefit from different UX... Not too dissimilar to what Samsung does with Dex, or even what Valve does with the Steam Deck. Now, if you're looking for a single solution... Canonical tried to lead the way into convergence with Mir and Unity Desktop (it is even in the name). Now how well did that go...

[@fabriciochamorro2985]

@@prgnify yeah, plasma has also maui apps. Haven't tried it yet on my smartphone, so I can't give a proper opinion about, but seems to be a good implementation

[@brianhedley5139]

A.lot of the hardware compatibility and software issues of Linux is the simple fact companies are viciously protecting their IPs and preventing each other rather than working together. While this tribalism happens we will never het a level.playing firld of hardware or software

[@CyberGizmo]

I keep hearing rumblings on the large You Tube channels about fleeing Windows in favor of Linux once Windows 10 goes EOL, while I have mixed feelings about that it is good to see some of them are waking up.

[@oraz.]

Linux needs better fingerprint authentication. Right now the only option is to replace your password including in the terminal with fingerprint, which is not a good option. Fingerprint and password should not be mutually exclusive, but the authors of PAM say it's a "gross hack" to do so. Whatever that gross hack is, display managers don't want to implement it and PAM is opaque and not changing. It's possible on every other OS but not Linux.

[@klaustrussel]

Welp

[@bluesillybeard]

I agree with a strong majority of these points, as someone who uses Arch linux. Even for advanced users, these points being improved would be a big deal. Once Flatpak because the #1 way to install apps for all distros, then I think software management will be a lot more streamlined, for both developers and users. The number of times I've looked up how to do something in an app, only to realize that it's for the outdated Debian version of it and I need to use a different guide for the Flatpak one is embarrassing. I can imagine the frustration of developers: "We already fixed this 4 months ago, why is it still happening to users?"