this post was submitted on 17 Oct 2025
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Yes, I do see your point. I think part of the problem is that old farts like myself started with it 3 decades ago, when it really was only for the ultra-nerds. It really was something only enthusiasts would ever consider using, and totally unsuitable for "normal" people. The change into something that can be used by everyone has been slow, but relentless. At some point it will be something that everyone can use, but I really don't think it's there yet. Every year as accessibility improves it moves into the reach of more people, but at the moment you do still need to invest time in converting to it from Windows.
Which brings me to another point - Linux is not a Free version of Windows. A lot of people seem to think that it should be like Windows, but gnarly old nerds like me like it precisely because it is very different from Windows. This is both its weakness and its strength. I like it because there is less hand-holding than with Windows, but most people probably don't want to use an OS that you can essentially brick with one command on the command line. To me it's power, but to most (normal) people it's danger. There has to be a trade-off between complete control of your PC to the point where you can destroy it, and your PC telling you what you can and can't do to the extent that Windows does.
I think at some point there will be a distribution that manages to get a balance of freedom and hand-holding that a majority of people find accceptable, but at the moment you do have to put effort and time into not only learning new things, but changing the way you see your PC. If someone complains that it isn't easy enough, the only solution at present is for them to not use it. Is it a good situation? No, but that's the way it is.