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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what are pros and cons of linux? (programming.dev)

submitted 6 hours ago by steam@programming.dev to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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and what if any do you miss from windows?

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[–] KindaABigDyl@programming.dev 2 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Pros:

Better UX for system. On Windows and Mac you're stuck with the old-style window movement desktops which suck and are chaos with lots of effort to maintain when trying to do anything productive. Even with third-party tools it's nothing like being able to have something like Niri. It's just better on the Linux world.
It actually meets your needs instead of making your change your needs. The customization is insane, but usually you don't even have to go very far to be happy.
No bloat, no forced features like AI (tho you can get your own AI stuff if you want), less privacy concerns, better tools generally

Microsoft Windows is actually a complete piece of crap

Unfortunately, cons of switching:

Have to use non-standard apps for certain things like office files or DAWs for audio production
- Tho, these are less bad these days. In fact, some are better like I'll take Blender over Maya any day, and I use OnlyOffice even on Windows, bc why pay for the "Copilot App" (formerly MS Office) when OnlyOffice is just as good and is fully compatible?
Some games don't work (esp multiplayer), and sometimes for no good reason other than the devs don't like Linux users, e.g. Bungie.
- Also far better than it used to be. Very few things I miss out on
MacOS clearly has the better app distribution system. A single folder with all necessary deps save a couple core libraries. Simple, effective, can still be put in a store. Instead we have an obsession with sandboxing or overcomplicated packages. AppImages were so close to being right. But nope. We can't have nice things sometimes

I've been using Linux-only since around 2019 (having used it alongside Windows for gaming before then) when Proton finally started getting good. I'm also an engineer, artist, writer, gamer, musician, maker, and more, so I feel like I have touched a lot of the different ways in which computers are used. I've used several distros for extended periods, and my fav is Arch (tho Nix is a close second; it's just not quite ready for primetime)

Linux is absolutely a viable alternative, but you have to know what you want from your PC. How do you want it to function? Pick that choice. It's not ice-cream flavors where all are equal and you have to decide; form follows function here. Decide what you need and then build your own system from that - bc Linux is yours. Refuse to be spoonfed slop no matter if the slop is from Microsoft or from a Linux distro. Slop is slop. Cook your own meal. It tastes better. If you don't like mushrooms, don't get mushrooms.