this post was submitted on 09 Apr 2024
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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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[–] [email protected] 187 points 7 months ago (8 children)

The attrition is slow, but every user lost to Linux is likely lost forever. After a year or so of totally free software, who is going to build a new windows compatible PC, buy a Windows 11 license, and pay for subscription service just to do word processing, or play a few incompatible games?

Windows completely overestimates people's willingness to throw out their laptop or PC just to get a new OS paintjob. For every person who does it, another one will leave their ecosystem forever.

[–] [email protected] 37 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Old Brazilian hack to use Windows: just don't buy it.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 7 months ago

Thanks for exporting this to the US, I made extensive use of it ~1999-2008

[–] [email protected] 12 points 7 months ago (1 children)

How does that help making using it less painful?

[–] [email protected] 21 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

It's more painful when you have to pay more than a month's worth salary and it's shit (Windows 11 Pro is R$1600, minimum monthly salary is R$1412, around $280)

[–] [email protected] 26 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I think I didn't buy a Windows license ever. Got Win 7 free from my college and always could upgrade for free to the next version. I never used MS Office, mostly did use the Google suite. Games were the only thing that kept me, especially since I got more privacy continuous over the past few years.

I'm currently dual booting Win 11 and Linux mint as a test phase. Actually just running windows for the proprietary phone client I need for work. Otherwise I'm newly exclusively using LM right now. Though I might make the switch to EndeavourOS for it's rolling release approach and AUR.

Only thing I really hate is that there are some proprietary software like ICUE, L-Connect a proper scanning software for my printer including OCR (there is a version for Linux but it doesn't include OCR) or shitty driver support for my graphics card. But none of those are issues coming from Linux itself but rather from the lack of support from the developers. Also, I love DLSS and Ray tracing but seriously.. fuck Nvidia.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 7 months ago (1 children)

For the OCR, have you tried tesseract? For printed documents it can take image input and generate a pdf with selectable text. I don't OCR much but it has been useful when I tried a few times.

You might be able to have a script that takes the scanner input into tesseract and output a pdf. It only works on a single image per run so I had to make script to run it on whole pdf by separating it and stitching it back together.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

@Senseless I'd just like to add that there are GUI frontends to tesseract that make things a lot easier. I particularly like gImageReader, but there are plenty of different GUIs for people with different tastes!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I have a Corsair keyboard and on Linux I use ckb-next to control rgb and stuff

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

RGB isn't really the issue for me. At least not when using icue. I need it to control my AIO / fans / temps

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Ah gotcha. I just set a custom fan curve in the BIOS which has been working well for me in Linux (I also use a Corsair AIO + Commander Pro).

I just learned of the liquidctl application which supposedly works for this. I'll check it out later this afternoon and see how it works!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Nice. I'd appreciate some feedback, if you like. Currently in the middle of switching to EndeavourOS as a Arch noob. Am I allowed so say "I use arch btw" now?

[–] [email protected] 25 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Windows licenses AFAIK are already rarely bought on their own. The vast majority of users get one by having it bundled to a new device they purchase.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago

Unless its corporate, because then you are paying for windows separate from the PC, and user based licensing for server access, and subscription fees for office. and EOS W10 fees coming

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

I just buy them on eBay for cheap if I need one.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 7 months ago

I'm never daily driving Windows again, but im not sure if I will ever be free of dual booting for some games.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago

I know at least one person who switched back to Windows but claimed there was no choice. Maybe the people arround that person making the switch to Linux initially does matter. And if they are (still) Windows users, it can happen at the first sign of trouble; especially when they are stubborn Windows users.

Guys, there are people out there Windows is the only OS they want to use despite all the problems.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago

I've made the switch over a decade ago. Ubuntu was the gateway drug. I have to use windows at work, but that's it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

That's how you know Linux made it. If people don't switch back you are doing something right.