I've had several computers with linux, but I tried to DL cinnamon onto my custom desktop a couple months ago. It REFUSES to accept my monitors and I can't see the screen every time it loads, which means I have to power it down and load back into windows. It also did this with mint. I gave up trying to get it to install. Until the install process is better for the average person, it will keep being a very tiny fraction of the market.
You're in the minority these days mate. The install process for most distro's couldnt be simpler. Literally. Its most likely a video card driver issue, theres no reason the monitors themselves woud be the issue. Im sorry your one of the rare cases, but it is pretty rare these days.
Can you provide any more details on the precise error messages, and your video hardware? Also, how are you getting the error messages if it won't show the display - are you getting a text display and command prompt, at least?
I feel that this is something that can probably be worked around, at least enough to fix the problem and get proper support. I'm thinking that passing parameters to the kernel would probably solve the problem, but I'm not sure of that.
Also, I would consider trying Knoppix, which is designed to run on a lot of computers in emergency situations, or a Red Hat-based distribution, probably OpenSUSE.
I'm part of that. I installed Chalet on my laptop last week. I don't like that I have to switch to the virtual console (CTRL + ALT +F1) and back after unlocking to see my mouse. Though it is a neat safety feature.
You talk about it, you make it stupidly easy for people to download (even moreso than now), and you tell computer-literate people that don't think it's a virus but at the same time don't use Adblock.
Despite this temporary rise (probably just from China or so), it's still not suitable for mainstream use.
And all the distros which were hyped for mainstream use, like Ubuntu Unity, only made people try once and then get a computer they could use. Their concept of user friendliness only consisted of taking away all functionality, so that average users could do nothing beyond surfing and writing a little text in the preset language, without a real nerd. While Windows or Mac users could always find some of the less advanced techies to help them.
So far, I see not a single Linux distro which would be worth considering for a kid or for a non-techie adult.
I think we won't have one until a vendor decides to invest the time and money to create a gui which completely replaces the shell, still has all the functionality of the shell (except scripting, of course), and hides rarely used or dangerous options so that they can be found when needed (even by someone who is not a techie) and will give all necessary warnings, guidance, and useful default settings.
The shell would then just be the tool for techies to do things the way they are used to do things, or for scripts.
Think whatever you want. I must admit I actually gave up on Linux a while ago, though I still have it on a Raspberry I use every once in a while and a damaged laptop.
So far, I don't know of any distro which would allow a normal user to do all the tasks which are only sometimes needed (changing the language, erase and install the whole thing, and so on) without using terminal commands. Maybe you can enlighten me.
And I don't have a pc. Do you always personally attack anyone whose opinion differs from yours?
how about fuckin UBUNUTU, does all you say out the box. Want to change the language go to language settings, want to erase the whole thing? just reinstall UBUNTU on top of it.
If we are talking about Unity, I'm glad they added some functionality to it. IIRC, no useful settings were available in the versions I tried. I hated it so much I completely gave up on it. Like probably thousands of others who believed the hype.
11 and 12. I remember I turned off Unity after a year of frustration and was slightly happier, but then my laptop broke and I never bothered again... Except when I got a raspberry - and the versions running on it officially where slow, so I now use it w/ tinycore - once every 6 months or so...
It would be like saying "I planted a sapling 5 years ago. I haven't seen it since but I'm sure it's still a sapling"
I mean did you use Windows 8, not like it, then say "I used win8, I see win10 is out, I've never tried it, but I'm going to tell everyone how horrible 10 is from my experience with win8"
It would be nice to be able to install a printer to Linux without going through multiple steps to get to the point where it works if you have never done that kind of thing before.
50 comments
17 u/Optick 01 Jul 2016 20:04
Just keep on treating your customers like garbage, Microsoft
16 u/Kleyno 01 Jul 2016 19:47
Well, you can only fuck with people so much before some of them start to ask: do I have to put up with this?
5 u/piratse 01 Jul 2016 20:03
I've had several computers with linux, but I tried to DL cinnamon onto my custom desktop a couple months ago. It REFUSES to accept my monitors and I can't see the screen every time it loads, which means I have to power it down and load back into windows. It also did this with mint. I gave up trying to get it to install. Until the install process is better for the average person, it will keep being a very tiny fraction of the market.
11 u/kltpzyxm 01 Jul 2016 20:27
You're in the minority these days mate. The install process for most distro's couldnt be simpler. Literally. Its most likely a video card driver issue, theres no reason the monitors themselves woud be the issue. Im sorry your one of the rare cases, but it is pretty rare these days.
1 u/tribblepuncher 02 Jul 2016 12:54
Can you provide any more details on the precise error messages, and your video hardware? Also, how are you getting the error messages if it won't show the display - are you getting a text display and command prompt, at least?
I feel that this is something that can probably be worked around, at least enough to fix the problem and get proper support. I'm thinking that passing parameters to the kernel would probably solve the problem, but I'm not sure of that.
Also, I would consider trying Knoppix, which is designed to run on a lot of computers in emergency situations, or a Red Hat-based distribution, probably OpenSUSE.
3 u/PolishPandaBear 01 Jul 2016 19:39
Woah.
3 u/jasotastic 01 Jul 2016 20:39
I'm part of that. I installed Chalet on my laptop last week. I don't like that I have to switch to the virtual console (CTRL + ALT +F1) and back after unlocking to see my mouse. Though it is a neat safety feature.
3 u/carnold03 01 Jul 2016 20:56
We're growing...
3 u/FriedFood100 01 Jul 2016 23:27
How do we grow it even more?
1 u/Boltbeam 02 Jul 2016 04:08
You talk about it, you make it stupidly easy for people to download (even moreso than now), and you tell computer-literate people that don't think it's a virus but at the same time don't use Adblock.
3 u/Atarian 02 Jul 2016 00:27
On the desktop, I guess.
Cos it dominates the server field.
1 u/theoldguy 15 Aug 2016 14:59
And TV's and smart phones and ...
2 u/remixedcat 02 Jul 2016 11:14
"This will.be the year of Linux on the desktop"
1 u/BANGAndTheDirtIsGone 01 Jul 2016 20:50
You're welcome.
1 u/zbou 01 Jul 2016 20:56
They'll have the market in 25 years at that rate, seems about right.
3 u/cat-facts 02 Jul 2016 06:32
There are ups and downs. This is probably not the first time hitting 2%. Linux was in that range like 15 years ago.
1 u/cat-facts 02 Jul 2016 02:51
Is this counting ChromeOS and Chromebooks?
1 u/maartenvanrossem 03 Aug 2016 18:30
i really want to read why linux is so much more secure, does anyone have a good read?
0 u/Omnipresent [OP] 06 Aug 2016 05:14
http://www.pcworld.com/article/202452/why_linux_is_more_secure_than_windows.html
0 u/luckyguy 01 Jul 2016 20:52
Am I the only one that realizes that's not what you linked to.
1 u/PraiseIPU 01 Jul 2016 21:09
The graph isn't on the correct scale. But if you correct it to the timeframe the market share is true.
0 u/TheJackofAss 01 Jul 2016 21:11
That's a 200% improvement
2 u/peacegnome 01 Jul 2016 21:35
100% improvement; it is 200% of what it was.
1 u/Omnipresent [OP] 01 Jul 2016 22:07
I thought if something doubled, we say its increased by 100%
0 u/ObscureReference 01 Jul 2016 22:05
I blame windows 10.
0 u/TheSafeWasALie 02 Jul 2016 15:10
I just noticed my local lowes runs linux.
-2 u/carlinco 01 Jul 2016 20:52
Despite this temporary rise (probably just from China or so), it's still not suitable for mainstream use.
And all the distros which were hyped for mainstream use, like Ubuntu Unity, only made people try once and then get a computer they could use. Their concept of user friendliness only consisted of taking away all functionality, so that average users could do nothing beyond surfing and writing a little text in the preset language, without a real nerd. While Windows or Mac users could always find some of the less advanced techies to help them.
So far, I see not a single Linux distro which would be worth considering for a kid or for a non-techie adult.
I think we won't have one until a vendor decides to invest the time and money to create a gui which completely replaces the shell, still has all the functionality of the shell (except scripting, of course), and hides rarely used or dangerous options so that they can be found when needed (even by someone who is not a techie) and will give all necessary warnings, guidance, and useful default settings.
The shell would then just be the tool for techies to do things the way they are used to do things, or for scripts.
2 u/PraiseIPU 01 Jul 2016 21:05
Do you as an ms shill just copy paste from a ms email on how to reply?
Or do you get paid by the hour and type that shit out to fill time?
I love when antilinux arguments are 5 years out of date. You really know you are not talking to someone that knows what they are talking about.
3 u/carlinco 01 Jul 2016 21:50
Think whatever you want. I must admit I actually gave up on Linux a while ago, though I still have it on a Raspberry I use every once in a while and a damaged laptop.
So far, I don't know of any distro which would allow a normal user to do all the tasks which are only sometimes needed (changing the language, erase and install the whole thing, and so on) without using terminal commands. Maybe you can enlighten me.
And I don't have a pc. Do you always personally attack anyone whose opinion differs from yours?
1 u/Pawn 01 Jul 2016 21:59
how about fuckin UBUNUTU, does all you say out the box. Want to change the language go to language settings, want to erase the whole thing? just reinstall UBUNTU on top of it.
0 u/carlinco 01 Jul 2016 22:03
If we are talking about Unity, I'm glad they added some functionality to it. IIRC, no useful settings were available in the versions I tried. I hated it so much I completely gave up on it. Like probably thousands of others who believed the hype.
0 u/Pawn 01 Jul 2016 22:06
about how long ago did you try it?
1 u/carlinco 01 Jul 2016 22:10
11 and 12. I remember I turned off Unity after a year of frustration and was slightly happier, but then my laptop broke and I never bothered again... Except when I got a raspberry - and the versions running on it officially where slow, so I now use it w/ tinycore - once every 6 months or so...
0 u/Pawn 01 Jul 2016 22:11
well damn, 11 12 years? holy fuck. no wonder.
1 u/carlinco 01 Jul 2016 22:12
Ubuntu versions 11 and 12. Unity isn't that old...
2 u/Kal 02 Jul 2016 00:05
I hated unity as well. it completely turned me off ubuntu altogether. try mint next time.
0 u/PraiseIPU 02 Jul 2016 16:03
Your information is 5 years out of date.
It would be like saying "I planted a sapling 5 years ago. I haven't seen it since but I'm sure it's still a sapling"
I mean did you use Windows 8, not like it, then say "I used win8, I see win10 is out, I've never tried it, but I'm going to tell everyone how horrible 10 is from my experience with win8"
It's just ludicrous.
0 u/Vailx 02 Jul 2016 05:38
Do you think that guy was automated through the GUI, or a script?
0 u/PraiseIPU 02 Jul 2016 16:07
Not sure what you mean.
Script as in movie or as in Python.
I just wonder if MS has bots to troll for prolinux posts then alerts real people to comment on how bad their experience with Linux was.
0 u/ObscureReference 01 Jul 2016 22:08
It would be nice to be able to install a printer to Linux without going through multiple steps to get to the point where it works if you have never done that kind of thing before.