this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2026
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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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I don't know why you would want to use linux without the terminal? I mean, you can... but you'll be limited if you want to do something special or fix a problem. It's not like you have to know how to code or anything. Often you can copy the commands right into it... It's really no problem.
People who have been using Windows their entire lives simply get intimidated
I know... but they do know how to copy and paste, and that's what they need to be able to... Those I have told about it, in this way, are relieved and not afraid of it...
As someone in this category : wtf? I kept using the terminal all the time when I was still on windows. From 95's dos to 11's cmd.
Sure, but then you're definitely not an average Windows user. I'm trying to get normal people off it
Can confirm, I helped a friend put Fedora on their old laptop to give it life again. Even though I wrote them instructions, once it came time for the terminal stuff, they video called me, lol. They love using that laptop now, though! They were in their early 20s for reference.
I really do think that's their problem, and software shouldn't cater to people who are afraid of checks notes typing. There can be real accessibility reasons why some users may require graphical tools due to various disabilities, but I don't think it's reasonable to feed into irrational fears of terminals when they can just copy paste in commands. It's not programming, it's very simple to understand the syntax of any command the average user might have to use (ie they're not doing scripting or anything like that).
I think a lot of people are just scared because the terminal is so much more powerful than the gui. The gui won't let you delete the system but the terminal is happy to let you. People shouldn't be so scared but they are and I think the use of phones over PCs will exaggerate the problem.
The terminal lets you delete the system with the same checks as GUIs, i.e. you'd be prompted for a privilege escalation password... If you delete random user files in the terminal then you can do that in a graphical file browser too. Just don't run random commands without knowing what they do.