Posted on 07/19/2026 12:41:18 PM PDT by ProgressingAmerica
Desktop Linux has seen a massive surge in popularity in the past few years alone, which, ironically enough, is in no small part thanks to Microsoft. The recent string of Windows hiccups has forced folks to migrate to Linux, and the number seems to be ever-increasing.
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Microsoft has no one to blame but itself for this mess. Windows had all the advantages and the correct formula for success, and being bundled in almost all personal computers certainly helped.
Linux, in comparison, had always been a niche “alternative” operating system for hobbyists. Not anymore, though.
However, their recent track record of incorporating puzzling new features (that, more often than not, are half-baked) that no one asked for is making it hard for the average user to interact with it.
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You want an operating system that gets out of your way while you use your apps. Windows has a bad habit of tripping the user with nagware, and it’s only gotten worse over time.
(Excerpt) Read more at makeuseof.com ...
Have you checked to see if you could run your programs under a windows emulator?
click the application database to see if your application was checked for compatability
There are some other projects that help you with trying to run things like bottles, which I haven’t used.
As for games, there is proton, which is something from valve which should allow many games to run on a linux machine
The phones are getting uppity, too. My newer model Android discontinued messages for some better app. Better for them, I'm sure. They're always finding a way to ask me to link up my computers with my phones and if I depended on them for home security (cameras) they'd want a pass into that too. :(
So I got another computer and Linux is on it but...some things just aren't the same, or they don't work at all. Got a mac, too, but that's even worse.
Fortunately I don't need the internet, it's not a big piece of my life, just a source of news and educational videos. Radio and books still work, and I have laptops with no connectivity whatsoever. Nevertheless, Linux is a good option.
Windows 11 updates are almost as bad as the privacy violations. Every time they tell me they're ready for another, it's as if someone is saying, "Go out and stand on the ledge, I got your back."
Plus I haven't forgiven Microsoft for trying to deprive me of wordpad.
Been using computers since I was around six years old, still got every one of them and they all work. Always have a geek!
$20K?
M$ provides > that value to an individual/yr ?
I’m not sure what those companies mean by not being able to correct errors and being locked out.
The biggest problem with using linux appears to be getting drivers for newer hardware, though most companies are now developing generic linux drivers for most products now.
Almost all of the time I never need to play around with system commands or internals, unless it’s because I need to install or update software being used for code developement.
Otherwise, most people could use a linux mint machine with cinnamon for the desktop environment for browsing with firefox, brave, opera, vivaldi, etc. office stuff with libre office, and not notice much of a difference.
In most versions of linux, you can download and setup a self booting version that will run off a usb stick, for evaluation purposes to see if you would like it.
My 2024 [out of warranty] F150 has been busy the last 2 weeks updating s/w.
WUWT?
Both my son and daughter run Linux on their home and work computers. My son uses a Windows emulator.
I’ll switch to that when support for Windows 10 ends.
Windows XP was Microsoft’s best OS ever. It crashed on me only once.
Beyond my comprehension. My laptop got the Windows 11 blue screen. It says BitLock. Wants a code that I’m not sure of. There is something on the screen but it doesn’t let me type anything in. Says use the function keys. I tried. Nothing.
Less than 2 years since I bought it. HP for about $400.
I’m not having any problems with Windows; my apps work just fine.
These companies represent the highest tier of sponsorship of the Linux Foundation, each contributing $500,000 annually and holding a dedicated seat on the board of directors.
Google
Microsoft
Meta
Oracle
Red Hat (IBM)
Intel
Samsung
Qualcomm
Huawei
These companies are interested in Linux as a server platform and not so much as a desktop OS.
“The recent string of Windows hiccups” has little to do with why so many people want to throw off that buggy, manipulative OS!
Nah. Everything moved to subscription. All my FEA, Cad Cam software are multiple thousands per year. Example... Mastercam is 4k per year. It’s all crap as nothing has been improved in decades. The best deal on the market now is Autodesk Fusion. I get it free as I am a beta tester. But even if not a subscription is only $1400 a year. But my customers demand crap expensive software.
Get a classic car that any teenage boy can fix!
W19 = W10 of oourse
One of my kids recently got a ‘69 Catalina convertible from his older neighbor.
Some edumacation, father to son, has ensued…..
Other than a few minor annoyances, I haven’t encountered too many problems with Win 11. But I don’t need to use it for work, being retired. My wife is still working, and has many complaints. I had a 14 year-old Toshiba laptop lying around, and loaded Linux Mint on it a couple of years ago. I figured I’d learn enough to switch to it when MS finally pissed me off to a sufficient degree. It’s mostly fine, but there are some things it doesn’t do as well as Windows. It’s good to have an out if needed!
I’ve tried, I think, four different emulators and none of them worked well, including Wine, Bottles, and I wish I could remember the others. They were downloadable from the Software Manager in Linux. So that’s why I’m leaning towards running either Linux or Windows in Virtualbox, but I got a while to take that leap and maybe someone, somewhere, will come up with a bonafide guaranteed emulator that’ll “just work” without having to jump through a lot of hoops.
And that's just for starters. I know there are Linux programs like Gimp, Master PDF, LibreOffice and others, but I like the programs I use in Windows, and programs like Gimp and Master PDF require a lot of self training. But I'm 65 and I guess I'm stuck in my ways. 😁
Any Windows application can be launched from a Linux "start menu" with this.
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