this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2025
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Heyho, recently someone asked for the silliest reasons, but as someone who has suggested linux to many people, I often encounter people having valid reasons for staying with Windows or switching back.

The most boring but valid one is "I have to use Windows for work. It is a requirement (of some software I have to use)". But there are also other answers that fit. My sister for example tried Linux, but while installing software constantly encountered issues that I helped her solve and eventually switched back because she felt like she had less control than over windows. While I am aware that this is fundamentally wrong, it is valid that some amateur users do not want to invest enough time to get over the initial hurdles of relearning how to install software.

What are the best reasons people have given you for not wanting to try Linux?

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[–] vrek@programming.dev 4 points 6 months ago (7 children)

I "tried" Linux but never got it usable. I initially decided to run a vm on virtualbox to experiment. I tried Debian, arch, kali, Ubuntu and all ended up having an input lag of 1-2 seconds. Windows the system was fine. But I found my self unable to do basic tasks it was no bad. I don't mean I didn't know a command or unwilling to find a foss software equivalent, I mean it took several tries to get the mouse over the X to close a program due to input lag.

OK I then decided to try a docker container with Linux. It got so messed up if I open docker desktop it displays an error that the container was unable to start, if you close the error to edit settings or create a new container it closes docker desktop, no way to fix it.

I was able to get a wsl command line working but all I found it able to do is add 5 steps to everything due to having to start the command, start wsl, log on, elevate permissions etc.

[–] iopq@lemmy.world 10 points 6 months ago (5 children)

Okay, but have you tried actually installing it? VMs just have worse performance

[–] vrek@programming.dev 2 points 6 months ago (4 children)

That may be my only choice. Was trying to avoid it as I don't want to lose everything on my computer and dual booting would be difficult as I don't have a huge hard drive.

[–] Archr@lemmy.world 10 points 6 months ago (1 children)

You don't need to install it to try it. Many distros will let you try the os while it is booted off of the usb. Ofc this doesn't give you all the functionality and you won't be able to save data. But you will at least see the performance is better.

[–] Don_alForno@feddit.org 1 points 5 months ago

So, am I the only one with terrible performance when booting from USB? Really long input lag, loading times, all that. I figured it wasn't a big deal for installing once and occasional troubleshooting, but it's not really representative of the normal experience booting from my ssd.

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