Something only WIndows can do ! ( possibly!!!!)

[#1]

I moved from Windows (W7) to a Linux distribution (ZorinOS) almost exactly four years ago. I admit the first time I opened it (on a new machine) it was like 'now what', but fortunately I had made preparations - lots of research - and a guy who had been involved with it from the start also provided a very clear and extensive guide on setting up and configuring it.

The only real issue I had was the Terminal (command line) bit, but once you realise it is just like the Windows 'cmd' it is simple although obviously the commands are different. Not a problem - there are literally thousands of help articles, and if you can't find what you want (unusual) there are very helpful communities out there.

Zorin was conceived and written to be as 'Windows-like' as possible without infringing any patents/ proprietary systems, and once you master the Terminal/the commands, it is simple .

I also have tried Mint, but didn't really get on with it, although I can just about use it, albeit I find it less intuitive, maybe because I came to Linux later in life.

All in all, I can honestly say I wish I had made the switch a long time ago, but having done so, I would never go back. I still have the W7 machine saved as there is one thing which surprisingly is not easy in Zorin - transferring MP3 files to Apple products, which still requires you to use iTunes (the one Apple program which is an abomination) - although I suspect there is an easy way round that which I haven't found - yet, but as it is something I rarely need these days, it is of little concern.

[#2]

I find this discussion regarding the merits of Linux quite fascinating.

To me the advantages are:

1. Can be installed and run on low performance/obsolete hardware.
2. Is free.

I don’t read arguments that:

1. There are far better applications available.
2. It’s easier to use.

The existence of a version of Linux that looks and behaves like Windows is not a justification to abandon Windows in its favour.

Every time that I have sought help with Linux it pointed to using the Command mode. If you take what I would think is the vast majority of Windows users, they have no idea that the Windows CMD mode even exists, never mind know how to use it.

When I look at the offerings of the major PC suppliers, I see machines pre-loaded with Windows, Apple and Chromebook operating systems. Whilst businesses and education establishments are centered around these, I see Linux as very much geared for professional/specialist applications and enthusiasts.

[#3]

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@Baldrick1 wrote:

I see Linux as very much geared for professional/specialist applications and enthusiasts.

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I still think of Linux as a niche OS.

I have invested £1000s in software for Windows OS that Linux just couldn't compete with such as Vegas Pro, Steinberg Cubase and Affinity Photo. SO I'll doubt if I could or even want to switch.

[#4]

@Baldrick1 First two points - very true, although there are distros which are much 'heavier' and cost, but these are geared towards more 'specialist' applications, if you want to use the term.

Second two points - I have found easier to use applications, and harder, although that term is relative, as once you master the basics, which is easy given the plethora of help available, they are just the same as the Windows variants, and, again, unless you want 'specialist ones, they are all free. As a point of interest, even on my Windows machines, I rarely used native MS programs, but that was again because I found alternatives - some free, some paid - I found  those which suited my needs better.

As I said, I've only been using Zorin for four years, but in that time, I can probably count on my fingers the number of times I've had to use the Terminal ('cmd' in MS-speak) to actually do anything apart from install a couple of programs which didn't come direct from Linux repositories.

I also think that you forget, or maybe don't know, that the majority of POS terminals are Linux based.

I'm no professional/specialist user, or even 'enthusiast', just someone who who had been using Windows since W95, but saw a major change of direction from W8 onwards and didn't like it, which is why I continued to use W7 way beyond its 'supported' life - with no issues - and then switched, knowing that I won't have to buy a new machine, unless it really breaks, probably for the very long future. You can't say that for Windows, unless you want to end up with a crippled system

[#5]

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@Mav wrote:

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@Baldrick1 wrote:

I see Linux as very much geared for professional/specialist applications and enthusiasts.

---

I still think of Linux as a niche OS.

I have invested £1000s in software for Windows OS that Linux just couldn't compete with such as Vegas Pro, Steinberg Cubase and Affinity Photo. SO I'll doubt if I could or even want to switch.

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@Mav I don't know Vegas Pro or Steinberg Cubase, but have you looked at GIMP for photographic work?

[#6]

Every time that I have sought help with Linux it pointed to using the Command mode.

and that's a valid point but it's not a problem with Linux it's a 'problem' with the people offering the help. In general those offering help are experienced Linux users and, whilst the situation requiring help can often be rectified using the GUI , the experienced users find it quicker to use the cmd mode.

[#7]

@Baldrick1 

"Every time that I have sought help with Linux it pointed to using the Command mode. If you take what I would think is the vast majority of Windows users, they have no idea that the Windows CMD mode even exists, never mind know how to use it."

Whilst that is true in my experience to an extent, as I said up thread, my use of the Linux Terminal / Command Mode is almost exclusively to directly copy/paste instructions that other people have provided online - and that is after being an exclusive user for 15 years. It is certainly not necessary to only use the Terminal, although reading some Linux forums, there do appear to be people who insist that is the only way and seem to look down on us GUI users!

The only time I really ever "construct" my own commands is when using the get_iplayer software - and even then I am only substituting elements of the command to what I require at the time, (eg a programme's PID).

I would have thought that copy/paste is something that even the most basic of Windows users could master - or am I wrong there?  🤔

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[#8]

'I would have thought that copy/paste is something that even the most basic of Windows users could master - or am I wrong there? '

If they can't do that, they should be nowhere near a keyboard. 😀

[#9]

@jab1 

"If they can't do that, they should be nowhere near a keyboard. 😀"

I don't know if it is the same in Zorin, but in Linux Mint you don't need the keyboard to copy/paste - it can all usually be done with just the mouse buttons. 😉

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[#10]

Exactly the same - as in Windows too, but my comment was a little 'tongue-in cheek'.😉

[#11]

@jab1 

"but my comment was a little 'tongue-in cheek'"

As was mine - which is why I added the emoji 😉

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[#12]

@Baldrick1  @Mav  Another area to consider - the workforce.

Shoud it be possible to create a commercial system based on Linux where woud you find the staff to operate it ? The staff to support it ? The programmers to write applications ? The end users to work with it ?

In my experience nowadays it's almost impossible to find experts in Netware, OS/2, RDOS, VMS etc. These people follow the money and it's not Linux.....

[#13]

@Champnet 

AFAIK, Ubuntu is the most popular desktop Linux distro in the world. It is run by a commercial company called Canonical.

I think that they make their money by selling user support packages to commercial companies.

Last year they had a revenue of US$ 250 million.

***EDIT to add:     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonical_(company)

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[#14]

@Champnet Linux, in its many flavours, is a 'community' enterprise, and there are vast communities working on it. The staff to support it - how do think the systems are written, the thousands of applications written and 'certified'. As to the  endusers - there are a large number.

[#15]

@jab1  is Linux 'community' enterprise an amateur project ?

@Mr_Paul  Ubuntu - Devian seems to make it's money using free and open-source software.

In a Corporate environment I've neither seen nor would I recommend either products............