Comment by FourthProtocol | Hacker News Reader

Comment by FourthProtocol | Hacker News Reader

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Yes I've tried Libre. ODT files don't play well with MS Office. Pivot tables in Calc are... frustrating. No OneNote, no Outlook, no Visio. Linux doesn't work on my hardware, and Visual Studio doesn't work on Linux.

The distribution fragmentation... I'm expected to install flavour X or Y of Linux not actually knowing before I start that my hardware even supports it? Brain = explode.

Joining a community (Linux) that stomps all over people that have a dissenting view (I actually like Windows - have done since I started using it in 1990) is philosophically not a community I want part of (Stallman is an exception I have a lot of time and respect for).

A VM adds complexity - why would I do that when native Windows is pain-free and just works?

And no, I don't "need" offline editing, I just want it. After all the cloud is a computer just like mine - that happens to belong to someone else. The cloud introduces a risk of data theft and complete data loss. And yes, probability is low, but impact and exposure are both very VERY high. I don't run that risk at all using my own hardware.

Oh boy, don't know if I read that correctly, but it seemed a bit heavy on emotions from your side. It's just an OS and my comment was just a recommendation. And these are just some observations for my own self interest, please read these in a neutral tone:

> ODT files don't play well with MS Office

Can't you save in docx format from within libre office?

> Linux doesn't work on my hardware, and Visual Studio doesn't work on Linux.

Could you elaborate on these two points?

> The distribution fragmentation...

The downside of a strong open source community is that you are spoiled for choice, yes.

> that stomps all over people that have a dissenting view

Not Linux specific I'd say. There are people like that everywhere.

> why would I do that when native Windows is pain-free and just works?

If Windows works perfectly fine for you, then yes, Linux + VM doesn't make much sense. For the rest of us that are not fans of how Windows runs things, it's usually a last resort option and very few people use it.

> I don't "need" offline editing, I just want it.

Sorry, that's what I meant, more like either/or want/need.

> And yes, probability is low, but impact and exposure are both very VERY high.

Definitely, that's why you'll find lots of people in the Linux community that run their own NAS at home and have lots of fun with it.

Lol you read that very correctly, but please don't take the emotion either seriously or personally.

All your points are noted. Importing ODT files into Word makes a mess of formatting and layout. I've wasted many hours fixing documents. Linux doesn't like my graphics card, and on my previous hardware setup wouldn't recognise my ELP web cam, my Windows Phone, and for some inexplicable reason, my Ergodox keyboard.

Visual Studio is software for Windows - it won't work on Linux (I see no benefit in virtualising when I have so many other issues with Linux, plus the real or imagined perf impact of virtualisation - at age 50 I'm way past the place where I spend a week on a PC build just to see if I can - I know I can, I no longer want to).

Yes, there are vocal people behind every technology. I guess I'm just tired of hearing "Linux" as the panacea for all things Windows or Microsoft. I know Microsoft's history. Better than many, having used their stuff starting with MS DOS in '84, maybe '85, and having actually worked there.

You wrote - If Windows works perfectly fine for you, then yes, Linux + VM doesn't make much sense. For the rest of us that are not fans of how Windows runs things, it's usually a last resort option and very few people use it.

You're absolutely correct in that statement. My problem with Linux isn't that. My problem is what a5aAqU did in his reply to my first comment. He suggested Linux even though my post made my preference clear. This happens almost every time I mention using and liking Microsoft products and technologies.

It's not something I'd ever consider doing to anyone saying they use/like Linux. I love when people get along, regardless of... well, anything. Diversity is beyond value. It's how we grow.

Apologies again, I did not mean to offend.

> don't take the emotion either seriously or personally.

> I did not mean to offend.

None taken! Happy that this turned out a healthy discussion.

I was just a bit surprised finding out that there's hardware that doesn't work on Linux. It's been almost the gold standard for hardware support (ignoring nvidia of course). Thanks for enriching my knowledge on that one.

Ah and I seem to have misread "visual studio" as "visual studio code", apologies for that. Yeah most Windows software will always be tricky to get into Linux, that's definitely true.

Your post just made me realise that when I find myself in a OS discussion, instead of starting to list out pros and cons of Linux, I'll just ask if they're happy with their current OS. That should probably clear up a lot of things from the get-go.

Once again, thank you for your post and I hope windows keeps treating you well. If not, you'll always know where to find Linux.

Have an awesome day!

> My problem with Linux isn't that. My problem is what a5aAqU did in his reply to my first comment. He suggested Linux even though my post made my preference clear. This happens almost every time I mention using and liking Microsoft products and technologies.

I wasn't suggesting that you switch to Linux. I was just pointing out that you can't escape the keylogging by using Windows. Linux is the major platform where you can fully control your computer, but it still might not be the right platform for you.

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