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Comment by zb3 | Hacker News Reader

Normal people will probably not read these long essays, but they might complain about their M$ OS getting worse.. and that is a great opportunity to present linux as the solution (because it is), you can then explain how programs they use will continue to work (it's 2025, they will in most cases) and how there's nothing to fear.

For me, it actually worked! Of course I did offer some help just in case she got stuck or something, but it went relatively smoothly.

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>you can then explain how programs they use will continue to work

Microsoft Office and games. No, not LibreOffice and Tux Racer.

Wine has gotten a lot better compared to years past, but if you need/want Windows software you still need Windows.

You also only get one shot at convincing them, since first impressions are everything. A better argument might be recommending MacOS, at least Microsoft Office works just fine there.

Also, if you're using esoteric hardware: Forget it.

> Microsoft Office and games. No, not LibreOffice and Tux Racer.

Not everyone will be as displeased with LibreOffice since not everyone uses MS Office professionally.. I'd argue further: for MOST people this is acceptable!

> Wine has gotten a lot better compared to years past, but if you need/want Windows software you still need Windows.

Not the case for PhotoScape for example (which was on the "required" list in this case). Also fortunately more and more programs are cross-platform, and again, for MOST people they're acceptable.

> Also, if you're using esoteric hardware: Forget it.

What?? It was the opposite, Linux doesn't require TPM, runs fine on older laptops and even runs faster with lighter DE's..

ok, but what if you need something off-the-wall, like a scanner?

These days, I personally haven't had any issues with odd scanners or printers and getting them to work. Years ago it was nightmarish, but now it tends to be a lot easier than Windows in my experience. My scanner still doesn't work in Windows (granted: I haven't sunk more than about 25 minutes into trying to get it to work), but it works just fine on Linux (with zero effort).

I'm running Void Linux + Brother ADS-1200 + Skanpage + paperless-ngx in Docker with almost no issues. I deliberately picked the ADS-1200 after poking around old HN threads for near bulletproof, reliable and well-supported scanners. If you already have a particular Windows-friendly scanner or printer and want to just switch OSes as seamlessly as possible.....yeah you'll probably have some frustrations.

The majority of games run well on linux. I've had exceedingly few issues. Between Steam/Bottles/Lutris/Heroic and more, the vast majority of games work with no effort.

The only reason I don't always play on Linux is games with an anti-cheat that doesn't like Linux and not having access to a some Nvidia software like DLDSR and RTX HDR. Nvidia has devoted far more resources to it recently. Linux even has DLSS frame gen now.

games is a terrible example here, basically everything runs perfectly fine. If you use Steam, there is absolutely no perceivable difference or inconvenience to speak of. The only argument to be made in this department is proprietary kernel level anti-cheats. Other than that, its download Steam -> install game -> click big green play button. I have like 500 hours gaming on Linux, from indie titles, to triple A games on day one (every fromsoft game, baldurs gate 3, even Genshin impact etc...) I have a Mac and the gaming selection is abysmal.

The other thing is hyper-specific and proprietary peripherals, but even then, most things work well. I have multiple drawing tablets for example, and these guys even release Linux drivers these days.

If you specialize in using Microsoft Office daily, or Photoshop, then sure... but thats not most people.

Besides that, you don't need to be super absolutist about it, you can throw Asahi linux on a mac, or an older laptop/pc. Its not all or nothing.

> The only argument to be made in this department is proprietary kernel level anti-cheats

Just last year we saw that an actual cybersec company like Crowdstrike couldn't prevent a massive screw up with kernel level code. Given that, I am stunned that people are willing to trust game publishers with access to their kernels. Even leaving aside abstract notions of freedom, do people not get that this is extremely poor security practice? Is any game worth the risks that come with giving random game companies (who are presumably less cybersec savvy than Crowdstrike) the keys to the kingdom?

> Microsoft Office and games. No, not LibreOffice and Tux Racer.

It's not 2005 anymore... Most Steam games run on Linux via Proton. There's even a console that runs Linux.

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