this post was submitted on 27 Oct 2024
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I only ever use Windows on my work computer, and only when I need access to a resource that requires our Windows-only VPN.
But seriously, "just use linux" is worthless advice. Lots of people use Windows for specific applications that don't exist in the Linux ecosystem. For example, there are no Linux applications that come close to AutoCAD, and it simply doesn't work on Linux.
Better advice would be to get new (or newer used) hardware if possible, if you absolutely need to use Windows, since this workaround will inevitably be "corrected" by Microsoft. Then you can do whatever you like with the old hardware, such as install and learn Linux at your own pace.
"just use linux" is great advice. Not everybody has the money for PC upgrades. And the amount of people that require specific Windows programs and can not switch to an alternative that works on Linux is extremely small.
No, it's useless advice for people who don't already have knowledge about Linux.
What kind of knowledge do you think linux requires? Installing is like a 5 step process. Once installed any grandma can use GNOME or KDE just fine.
Which distros to choose, what are their pros and cons, which distros works best with whatever hardware they have? What about which of their existing hardware doesn't work on Linux? Which of the software they use everyday and probably have spent money on the licenses doesn't work on Linux at all and which can kinda work using WINE?
These are all questions that are not easily answered by people that lack the prior knowledge of Linux. Just saying "use Linux" is not simply useless advice if you don't know their use case or the hardware they use, it's practically harming the first time experience of non-tech savvy people with Linux.
You're over complicating things
Most hardware will work ootb, most use cases is opening the browser. But i do agree a blank "use Linux" is a bit too broad. Something like "Use Mint" or "Use Fedora" is better.
This is absolutely bullshit and you know it.
A few years ago you would be absolutely right. Nowadays most Linux distributions are pretty straightforward in their installation process though.