Linux for Windows converts ?

[Colin23erk]

I expected LinuxLite to be a lot easier for people who just want a easy to use PC that would allow them to use a computer for hobbies etc  they want it for and not to be a Computer Hobbyist.
Linux may have come a long way but I am confused by all the branches it has taken especially when I have a problem and try to find help on the internet .  It appears to be out of control without any overall aim . If all the effort was channeled into a few distros with individual aims to supply a distro  for different sorts of users " like a Windows replacement" etc the progress should be better .

Whilst I appreciate all the help I have received I would have preferred not to have needed to seek  help in the first place . I just want to get on with actually using a computer for my purposes Unfortunately the people with Computer knowledge  who help us often use the CLI instead of GUI solutions . That is OK from their point of view when they understand what they are talking about . To me using the CLI as being told by an expert is similar to blindly following a Sat Nav  > Turn left > turn Right etc and end up over a cliff because I do not know what direction I should be heading


I was happy with Linuxlite when it works as I want it to but I am finding the learning curve too high especially needing to use CLI when I encounter problems . I want to be led by the hand by an easy to understand program with dialogue that gives me an idea of what is needed . Even a lot of the GUI programs documentation leaves a lot to be desired .


One sad thing about Computer Program use and Electronics etc is  we are often not even told everything that they should be able  do .
The designer/ Programmer  "should know" what he has done and tell us ? How do we know if something is working correctly if we do not know its facilities. Getting them to do it is another problem .


Even a Tree view  of what it can do would help to guide us where to look. Computers were supposed to make life easier and be able to give us help . They cannot even help us diagnose their own problems (eg Error 12345) but no link to where we might try to find what it means or how to fix it .(eg ask your System  Administrator) Thats when I have to start talking to myself as I am both ?




Take Me to the Madhouse-- Please


Colin > :-\ :'(

[newtusmaximus]

Whilst I concur with your thoughts regarding the confusing choice of linux flavours, I can truly say that LL has been a real saviour for this complete newbie.  The forum is/has been a welcome ally.  With any new OS or software there is a learning curve.
With linux you are not forced to upgrade equipment at the whim of the market.  Once you have all your hardware bedded in, the job is done; until something falters with old age or YOU choose to upgrade.  It might be that you may have to change you printer or scanner, but that is a once only cost, a worthwhile investment to be free of the spirally hardware treadmill.  FWIW

[firenice03]

I am/was all Windows, Yes I agree as well there a lot of distro's some have better this or that but with a downside to xyz,... But same could be said with Windows too. You have options for Win7 Win8 and Win10, Home Professional Enterprise yada yada, all from 1 manufacture. Linux is open sourced so many variations, with various levels of support and mostly from the community. There are enterprise Linux systems that offer paid support services...

I too struggle with CLI at time but thats the way its going.. I use a MAC from time to time and I find configurations and settings are easier using terminal. Windows = Powershell and if your using a server OS the CORE install is all Powershell...

Linux is new to me, LinuxLite is a great OS IMO, it is different but its not like your setting IRQ's and Dip switches

I wouldn't kill all my Windows systems today in favor of Linux - but 1 of each or some VM's to better understand and learn to lessen headaches - gotta have 1 unmolested ready to use PC.
VM's are a great way to  compare distro's as well - hardware is basic and is less stressful to get out of trouble - snapshot make it real easy.

Please don't take my rant as negative...

[Jocklad]

Interesting thread,
Just this morning I upgraded a desktop from Win 7 to Win 10
In all fairness it is running very well but I noticed after installation it had used nearly 40G of HDD space.
In my opinion Windows will never have the versatility of Linux.
Sure there is a learning curve but that applies to any operating System.
Linuxlite will remain my "Core" Operating System.

Jocklad 

[torreydale]

@Jocklad,

That is what led my migration to Linux.  About a year ago, I put together a practice lab.  For that practice lab, I have a server running VMware ESXi.  I only have one 250GB hard drive in that server.  I noticed I was running out of space.  I also noticed that my Windows 7 based VMs took up 25GB of space each, but the Linux VMs were using just 4-7GB of space.  And out of the box the Linux VMs were capable of doing so much more on just that amount of space than the Windows VMs. 

As much as possible I looked for ways to replace what the Windows VMs were doing with Linux distros.  Then as I started to understand more, I looked at Linux as a viable replacement for my personal daily computing.  I've been using Linux Lite as the only host operating system on my desktop and laptop since about April of this year, and I don't plan on reversing that.  I've been an ambassador of Linux, and particularly Linux Lite, since then.

I have no regrets.  My fiddling with other distros helped me appreciate Linux Lite when I found it.  I know other new users might not have the tenacity I have to stick with it, which is why I do whatever I can to help limit their choices by telling them about THIS distro up front. 

[Colin23erk]

Thanks to everyone who replied

I have used LinuxLite for quite some time and like its philosophy of "less is more " and intend to keep using it as I like it.
What got to me is for the last month or more I have been trying to overcome a series of glitches . They have led me into the OS which is not where I want to be . As a user I want an OS to work quietly in the background to allow me to compete the task I want without getting involved.

My last problem was what  thought would be another simple task that LL would do easily !
I want to permanently Mount my non-linux partitions . I can mount them OK from the Desktop Icons but they do not stay mounted . I have tried several "solutions" but the option to mount is always greyed out because  the mount point is unavailable ?

One of the reasons I fell out with Windows is that it includes too many programs within the OS which I have no need for . I like the  idea used in Android of a core which is supported by Apps so I only need to install what I want .
My only gripe with Android is that Smartphone makers install apps I do not want and I can only remove them by rooting the phone . I do not mind them installing apps to make a rounded system out of the box But why do they need to lock them in . Once I buy something  it is surely my property to do what I want with it.
.

[LL-user]

Hi Colin,

Sorry to hear you have been quite struggling a bit setting up LL the way you want it to be.
What I've picked up from a few of your posts is that you had a requirement which led you to do some research how to fulfill it. So far, so good. And well done that you take the time to gain knowledge!
One suggestion I would have for you is changing your sequence. At the moment you follow:

requirement/wish -> research -> implement => problems -> posting here.

In case you are stepping into foreign territory, i.e. facing stuff you haven't done before, in case you are not 100% sure what you are doing, in case you "only" come across manuals for other distros than LL, I do encourage you to ask first before you implement.

requirement/wish -> research -> posting here -> implement => hopefully no problems or at least a lot less

I have found this Forum outstanding in terms of support and friendliness. Am sure - especially if you already provide some own research and steps your are thinking about implementing - you'll always find someone on here who will have a look, give you a heads up or hand before you mess up your system and/or get frustrated.

All the best

[paul1149]

Colin,

I agree with some of your criticisms regarding Linux. That is what kept me away from it for many years. I think much of that has been overcome now, and that while there are still some rough edges, Linux is ready right now for the desktop, provided the user is willing to put in some work.

And this is not happening in a vacuum. On the other side, MS is growing more intrusive, as it extends its control of the user's system. We learn just today that data is being quietly sent to Redmond, with no way to turn it off. Win10 updates cannot be disabled, and Win10 itself is being downloaded onto Win7-8.1 machines without user knowledge or consent, whether it is ever installed or not - all 2GB of it. As the subscription model is further established, I can only see MS's policies getting worse. AISI, at some point one must make a decision and exert the effort needed to break free. Think what could be done if enough people did so, and cut loose an occasional donation to keep things going.