I like the headline… former Windows users are picking up Steam on Linux, because it’s pretty much indistinguishable from Steam on Windows.
Linux Distros Designed for Former Windows Users Are Picking Up Steam | Linux Journal
Submitted 3 weeks ago by network_switch@lemmy.ml to technology@lemmy.world
https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/linux-distros-designed-former-windows-users-are-picking-steam
Comments
adespoton@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
theunknownmuncher@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
So… just like… KDE?
SlurpingPus@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Back in the day KDE’s UI was very much a clone of Windows, but with even more dialogs and lists. I’m still put off by it twenty years later.
LucidNightmare@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
I can see why so many options would make someone just shake their head and close the settings app.
I think you should go through them when you have the time, if you’re still interested in the other things KDE brings to the table. I went through all of the settings when I moved over to openSUSE Tumbleweed last December, and I’m still here today. KDE to me is what operating systems should do. Give me the power to change every single thing I can, while still having presets for people who don’t.
Anyway, I see your point though! The options are great for making the OS feel like mine!
BassTurd@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I don’t truly understand things like this. Most DE’s are similar enough to Windows that anyone who’s spent a minute on a computer should be able to intuitively get to a web browser to surf the web. That’s what most people do. Word processing and the likes is tough since most are ingrained in Office, but something like (pukes in mouth) Google sheets is decently popular and good enough for most people.
If you give most someone a computer with a browser and auto updates, they’ll be able to do almost everything they are already doing on Windows with minimal thought.
There are exceptions, but those people suck at Windows already, so it’s a moot point. If you can’t find the start menu in Windows, it doesn’t matter what OS you’re using.
Peffse@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
funny you should say it like that. I just recently I tried using Debian’s default GNOME desktop and thought I had corrupted the install somehow. I reinstalled the OS two more times because it kept dumping me into a nearly blank screen with no obvious buttons to click aside network/sound/power.
I’m used to LXDE, KDE, and Cinnamon, so this was completely foreign to me… and trying to find the web browser had me at a caveman level of confusion.
GrapheneOSRuinedMyPixel@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
That’s strange - vanilla gnome should start in overview mode and dash is populated with gnome apps by default. Aside from that, there’s a button in the upper left corner that goes into overview if you press it.
Maybe your install did get corrupted, because literally my grandma could figure it out. On the other hand, most mainstream distros ship with dash to dock and discoverability must be the reason.
myplacedk@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Debian was not a great choise, it is not for beginners. I wonder why you chose that one.
If you want to try again, I recommend using a distribution that is recommended for beginners. For example Ubuntu.
BassTurd@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
That’s weird, and sticks you had that experience. I should take a step back and say that I haven’t used a lot of different districts, including Debian. What I have experienced though, was either a star menu like button either in the bottom left, to left, or a floating dock.
I went full in on Arch when I made my permanent switch a couple of years back to make myself really learn more rather than just plug and play. That may be skewing my perspective some. However, I did throw mint on an old laptop that I have to my brother, and I was shocked that everything was exactly ready to go after install. Libre office, browser, other useful tools, updates, etc. I spent more time verifying things than configuring them and just passed it off.
I know that at least when I install kde in Arch, there are a few different build options from fully loaded to no extra apps. Perhaps with Debian there is a similar selection and you grabbed something stripped down rather than fully loaded? I’m not sure, but it’s good to hear this stuff to check my ignorance when discussing this with people.
floofloof@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Only Office has a UI very similar to Word. I generally prefer LibreOffice for everything else, but Only Office has an easy layout to learn.
Serinus@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The latest Libreoffice update has ribbon menus (optionally).
GriffinClaw@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Seconding Only Office. I had a few docs I needed to print in a hurry, and Libreoffice kept corrupting the fonts/text format. OnlyOffice worked clean.
Katana314@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It’s always “one little thing”, and often an OS-local feature that many wouldn’t be aware of.
eg, You go to your grandma’s to help with her computer. She mostly uses her web browser to check on news. BUT, she has one specific home-network file operation she performs regularly, using an old network drive that got set up decades ago by who-knows.
That’s one tiny example, but there’s hundreds of others around, and not from tech nuts. Someone has one specific VPN app they must use, on their personal device, infrequently, for work. Someone runs one app that still mentions Windows 95 compatibility. Someone with learning disabilities is very very used to the pattern of logging in, so much so that they’re confused and ready to call IT when they don’t get a Ctrl+Alt+Delete prompt.
Thankfully, those are often exaggerations, and it’s good that most people’s use cases for niche stuff has migrated to web apps. You’re right that a lot of people really do only rely on their web browser. These days, even Edge is “sorta” available on Linux if someone is that dedicated to their list of bookmarks. Just don’t expect it’s always as simple as people not finding the start-menu-equivalent.
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 2 weeks ago
It’s not about ease of use. Remember Windows RT? It worked exactly like normal Windows and it still died because people didn’t understand what it is and were confused but the limitations. Making Linux as similar to Windows as possible is not a solution for the masses. It works for people that understand what they are doing or have someone who does at hand. Normal Windows user will just try to install Word and download exe files and be confused that they don’t work. If you want normal users to use Linux you need to make it clear that it’s something different, like OS X or Chrome OS does. You basically need a major OEM to create immutable Linux distro with clear branding and offer commercial support for it. Android for Desktop basically which will be very similar to Chrome OS.
orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Microsoft’s ecosystem has been slowly pushing some users toward the exit. Hardware requirements for Windows 11 left millions of perfectly functional PCs behind. Ads on the Start menu and in system notifications have frustrated many. And for gamers, launcher problems, forced reboots and background processes that siphon resources have driven a search for alternatives.
No shit? That’s crazy.
Katana314@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I imagine it would make a huge bump if Valve were to announce “Wait no longer, SteamOS is here!!”, even if their release is just an overnight reskin-fork of (Bazzite/CachyOS/PopOS).
I say this as someone who tries to tell people, stop waiting on Valve, and try out a few of the options. I’m glad I found a distro that works for me, but I didn’t enjoy the original search. I certainly got pressured into it as Microsoft really put as much effort as they could into making Windows as terrible as possible; and it was not “Everything works 100% out of box!” But the move was worthwhile.
finalarbiter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
SteamOS is already an extant distro (based on Arch btw), it’s what they use for the steam deck/machine/frame. It’s also available to download but there is no official support. I’ve been meaning to try it on my desktop, as I primarily use it for gaming anyways
SteamOS wikipedia page since the steam page keeps redirecting me to the app
Katana314@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Yes, but as it exists that distro is very dedicated to the task of supporting Valve hardware, and has done very little to generalize support to other generic hardware.
jj4211@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Well yeah, I would assume Steam would be a big priority for this scenario…
pokexpert30@jlai.lu 2 weeks ago
I don’t mind DE to have a windows-mimicking workflow (cinnamon, KDE kinda) but modding Gnome to mimick windows is not great because it causes weird bug and maintenance issues. Aka it breaks easily and gives bad impressions to the user
selokichtli@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Yes. GNOME of great, bit you better learn the logic behind it, it’s bit a DE that adjusts well to the user, it’s actually three opposite, but if you get the gist of it, it works wonders.
captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Yeah that’s why I hate Gnome, they have ideas about how you should use your computer and those ideas aren’t yours.
reksas@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
for me, gnome seemed unnecessarily cumbersome to use with its minimalism
Jyrdano@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Its funny, seeing this article as a lifelong windows user, just after finishing a boot-up usb drive with Mint on it.
I have win11 at work and the whole experience feels awful. I have a new laptop coming up that comes without an OS installed. Ill rather deal with the hassle of installing and learning a new OS than paying Microsoft for license to have my PC full of ads and AI slop.
spizzat2@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Where did you order the laptop without an OS?
Jyrdano@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It was local electronics shop (czech rep.) they offer same laptops with win11 or without OS. Dont know how things are on Amazon or other US based websites, but I know for a fact you can order one on Asus official website.
orioler25@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Tumbleweed with KDE is honestly the smoothest work environment Ive had since Windows 7.
theyoyomaster@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Kubuntu is another great option.
orioler25@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
For beginners? Totally; but snap gets annoying over time.
InFerNo@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Tumbleweed is a rolling release distro while Kubuntu has point releases. I’m not sure which is better for new users. I’m leaning towards rolling, it stays up to date.
cupcakezealot@piefed.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
just installed linux mint over windows 10 on my mums laptop this weekend :)
AstralPath@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
My mom loves Zorin OS! We’re strongly considering the pro version now.
captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Let me ask you a question: What does the pro version of Zorin get you?
AstralPath@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Mainly just the satisfaction of supporting a project we like. IIRC, my Mom’s PC is on the version they’re sunsetting too. Pretty sure we’re gonna need to update it anyway.
varjen@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Looks like it comes with more preinstalled applications and a custom themed gnome desktop. As far as I can find the extra preinstalled applications are available in the default ubuntu repos.
4shtonButcher@discuss.tchncs.de 2 weeks ago
Installed Mint on two aging family laptops. One is smoothly running 00s era games already and i barely needed to help the family member with that.
Zephorah@discuss.online 2 weeks ago
It will take some serious, I hate to say it, YouTube campaigning and such to make Linux a more mainstream thought in the public’s brain.
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
What it takes is people being able to buy a Linux machine at the local electronics store. Installing your OS yourself is still a major hurdle for most people.
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
That is an important step, yes.
However another important step is that the default distro needs to basically not even highlight that terminal exists.
If you’re trying to learn how to use linux, and step 1 of the tutorial is “open terminal”, you will lose 97% of your new install base. Then headlines will flood that linux machines are being returned in high numbers.
As much as you guys hate to hear this, the first experience for a new linux user needs to be intuitive. Before they even turn the machine on, they have to know how to use this software. Not because they are experts, but because the space and experience guides itself.
Then as you learn, you can customize a bit more, and from there linux can become a rabbit hole. But the point is, let the individual user control the depths which they dive. Because I suspect 90%+ won’t even change the desktop background. And thats ok.
Make it easy for the dummies, but then you individually can tinker if you want to. And it’s linux, so…ya know. Go nuts. But some people don’t want to do all that tinkering. That vanilla experience is what gets remembered to represent that OS. Even if you customized it and experienced it very differently.
SaharaMaleikuhm@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
Steam Deck + Steam Cube
Zephorah@discuss.online 2 weeks ago
More than system76 and Lenovo think pads without graphics cards.
CosmoNova@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Problem is Youtube is known to censor these kind of campaigns. I think they literally got caught delisting Tiny11 tutorials recently. Imagine what they‘ll do if Linux Tutorials pick up steam. Big tech is one giant illegal syndicate and politicians have invested in all of them.
Katana314@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
YouTube has done a lot of malicious removal, but I’d be surprised if Windows 11 was one of those intentional targets. YT is run by Google, purveyors of Chromebooks; I’d think they’d generally benefit from a move off of MS/Windows.
Zephorah@discuss.online 2 weeks ago
Is there another venue? Nebula doesn’t seem keen on DIY and anything not free is going to have an incredibly reduced audience. The people who need the info most are the least likely to be able to afford another sub.
b_tr3e@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
It might. I just don’t see any use in it. Says a former Linux advocate. Don’t get me wrong, I’m writing this on a Debian stable machine, I’d never even think of using anything else for a daily driver and have been doing so for 25 years, but Windows users will be Windows users and I don’t see any reason to adapt Linux to their needs. Or to that bundle of vague illusions that they believe to be what they need. The evolution of Windows has produced such a horrible, parasitic product that its’ users don’t see
nil@piefed.ca 2 weeks ago
And soon there would be a corpo that will make a closed source commercial OS based on Linux and people will somehow use their crap.
floofloof@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Like Android? It’s getting more closed every day.
ouRKaoS@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
Red hat is still around…