Top 7 Reasons People Quit Linux

Same problems happen on any operating system switch.

Most of these problems can happen when switching to any new operating system. Such as from windows to mac or even between different windows operating systems.

Although I got to say, the first two can also be related to the software/hardware vendors. Not alot of them will make a Linux version of their software or driver for the hardware, mainly because they have less then 1% market share.

Maybe you just don't see it

You seem to use "so what?" argument every so often. "So what you need to use command line?", "So what something didn't work?". That doesn't make much sense.

People want to use their computers, not edit conf files for 3 hours just to make their multimedia keys on the keyboard work as intended. They want to be able to listen music from their player and at the same time be able to hear sounds from any other source without wondering what the hell pulseaudio, gStreamer, aRts and ten other audio frameworks are. People don't want to recompile kernel, apply patches to it and whatnot to make their work. I know it's because hardware manufacturers do not provide the drivers but hey, people don't seem to care. People want to sync their phone with address book without going through dozens of apps to find out which one supports their phone model. Linux just makes life harder and, if you don't have time to tinker with it, sometimes unusable.

I've been using Linux since 1998, have lots of experience with Gentoo which was and is my favorite, Ubuntu, SuSE and others and yet, I installed Windows 7 on my desktop because it just makes my life easier and lets me save time, which is money.

by kadath (not verified) on 5/1/09 at 2:58 pm | reply

Thank you Keir

for so clearly expressing the truth about learning how to use an operating system. Your points about people running back to the "familiar" comfort of Windows is especially topical since the familiar Windows way of doing things has changed with Vista and now Windows 7.

I already have clients expressing an unwillingness to learn how to use Windows 7 and it's differences (as well as the Ribbon Menu), and threaten to stay with XP, even if it's not supported after 2014.

But it's just as you say, all it takes is a little extra patient time of mine with them, and they with me, and a willingness to LEARN.

I think the most vocal critics of your point are frustrated helpdesk operators and only know how to be cynical and demeaning to their "users." Try working elbow to elbow with your clients.

you have valid points, but you sound like a bigot

I started with Linux because I wanted to understand the internals of my operating system. I was aware that it would take over my life as I began my adventure from forum to forum, wiki to wiki, trying to sort out driver issues, package managers, terminal commands, and overall configuration preferences.

I am not an ordinary computer user, I have the patience and desire to actually learn Linux. (then I moved to openBSD.....)

Avoid your bashing of the typical linux dropout. They have different needs from their operating system. They need it to work, immediately. They want to be easily able to use the applications they need, without searching for hours on end for the fix they need. They get this with windows or mac os.
It is not that windows or mac os is better. This is not the case at all. After being properly configured, linux can become a dream machine with the prettiest gui, or the most secure setup (aside from openBSD), it is incredibly configurable.

That being said, Windows 7 is going to regain the trust of the consumer. It works. Not only does it work, but it might put me out of a job. First time booting into it, the first windows update resolved the remaining driver issues. I don't like windows, but the typical user will like windows 7.

Linux need to create a Windows equivalent: A super restrictive, pretty gui, limited configuration that works out of the box. Can't we just give them the dumbed down version they they can figure out?

Seriously it is Linux users

Seriously it is Linux users like you that make other Linux users look bad. Your article makes anyone who has problems and doesn't feel like dealing with them seem like a big baby. Why can't people like you understand that Linux is not the best OS out there for everyone else and that maybe some mom with three children to take care of does not have the time to go searching around online asking for help just so she can use the command line even when she doesn't need anything that complicated. I understand you really like Linux and it doesn't bother me when you support it but you shouldn't degrade those who don't want to use it because they have problems with it.

Oh Joy

Mr Keir, I have seen you called a bigot and told you make Linux users look bad all because of 7 reasons which of why people stop using Linux. Although the statements maybe true it really just comes down to one thing. You like to look down on people that in your mind are less intelligent then you. Now then come down to earth and have a look at the real world. Outside of the already stated comments on why people don't use Linux lets look at some other sides.

1) Until someone can convince Broadcom and other hardware vendors into supporting the Linux Operating System then people are not going to move to Linux. With windows if a piece of hardware does not work a simple driver update is all it takes to get it working properly.

2) Hate to inform you of this Dreamweaver and other products are used by more then industrial types. Dreamweaver is one of the best Web design packets one market due to its ease of use. Along with drag and drop capabilties for simple design of web pages. Other web page design programs also use this method and will not work with Linux. This also goes with other apps.

To be honest you sound like most over the top over zelous Linux Fanboys. So I'm going to put it in simple to understand english. Get off your high horse and help come up with solutions instead of being part of the problem. Linux is a good O.S. if you use the right distro and or you have time to sit down and work your way through the issues. However, the look down your nose at other attitude just pushes more people to Windows or OS X.

Really bad arguments

This is the worst Linux defense i read.
The argument here is: "It's not easy?... is your fault!", "It's not complete?... so what!", "It doesn't work?... it's not a big deal!", "Some of your hardware don't work?... It's just the way PC's are!"
Come on, people, you don't need support!... if your Linux OS doesn't work just write a message to the author of this note for support... i'm sure he will never ask for money for his services; remember: Linux is free!... and the author is "lucky to be clever enough"
Bad argument :-S

You just don't get it

You just don't get it. An OS is a tool. If someone can't use an application or a piece of hardware, they will to an OS where they can. If they attempt to get information from a forum and are attacked by by OS zealots that they are morons, it is the zealots who are the morons. People don't have the time play with an operating system for hours just to get their wireless card to work, if they do they must be unemployed.

Top 7 reasons people quit linux

That's the magic of linux. Something totally different from Windows........ I love it.

Top 7 Reasons People Quit Linux

Pretty condescending aren't you! The average user is not a computer geek, nerd or guru. They want stuff to work right out of the box and not have to learn where everything is or how to make it function. If it was easy, the stores wouldn't be bundling the apps with the OS. Instead they'd sell you a computer and you could install everything at home yourself. But it isn't easy so it comes pre-installed for you. Do you fix your own car? If not, why not? If you were a mechanic it'd be pretty easy wouldn't it. If you're not, then you shy away from opening your tool box and potentially messing things up only to have to take it to the shop anyway.

Really, really bad arguments! :)

What an article! I thought that the author was being honest, sincere and "real".

I agree with many of the comments here. The author thinks "he is smart and clever and, and ... lucky". This article says exactly the opposite.

I respect Linux a lot, however it's not meant for the masses, it will have to go through serious changes before it gets accepted as Windows or Mac.

Here is my point: Last week I installed Ubuntu, my favourite distro. I like it, with all its "non-working condition out of the box", it's fixable, but as many have voiced here, you must be willing to spend hours and hours looking for the right forum to get an answer that might not work. My sound card did not work, my USB stuff did not work. I desperately needed Internet connectivity, but my wireless card did not work. I spend 10+ hours until I got it finally working.

Last night I installed Windows 7 RC on the same machine (I have swapable hard drives). What a surprise! Kudos to MS people! Way to go! Everything was smooth and the installation finished in less then one (1) hour! I'm honestly amazed at how easy it was. For a moment I thought "this can't be true!"
My sound card worked perfectly, my USB devices did not have any problems and I was able to register with Microsoft right on the spot. My wireless card was in full working mode!!

So, what? (Hehehe!)

Let the people decide. This is THE TOP 8 REASON to switch to Windows :)

I'm not trying to be sarcastic, but seriously, I believe that all these "top 7 reasons" are just purely "pride feelings and emotions".

BTW, I'm a UNIX guru learning Windows :)

Fear of typing commands?

I have to said that now you need less commands than a year ago. With rapid release of Linux distros the changes are really fast. Most time you get advice to use commands because who is giving advice is used to commands and not because there is no "mouse way around".

I use fedora, packagekit is very nice, but I still use yum to install. I "feel" it is faster, but I haven't timed to be sure about it.

Furthermore command are typically for fine tuning an first install, then you forget about them. As pointed with the DVD example.

It needs to be pre-installed.

Linux needs to have companies like Red Hat sell hardware with Linux installed and ready to run out of the box. That's the way most people buy Windows. Installing an operating system is for IT people. Most people never install an operating system. There also needs to be an easy way to obtain and install applications.

I've been using Linux

I've been using Linux primarily for several years, although I still use Windows every now and then. To be honest I find your article pretty condescending and not conducive to the general goal of most Linux projects, which is making it accessible to everyone who makes the effort to do so. I suggest you reevaluate your priorities and use them to educate and help the people crossing over from Windows instead of pointing out the reasons they are turned off.

quit

i quit reading this motherfucking article because it's pointlessly spread out onto 2 pages.

fuck you you're getting no more clicks off me.

Er...

You've listed the reasons people quit Linux. You have not listed the reasons people say Linux shouldn't ever be used. You keep acting like people are pissing all over Linux users when they try it, decide they'd rather use something that works pretty fine out of the box, and move on. Just because they don't want to use a command line does not mean they think all command line users are worthless.

Write an objective article.

Wireless

My only grip with Linux is I can never get that damn wireless nick card to work, I guess the guys that program the wireless are just some dicks that wont share. If linux was to fix its wireless issues I think I would swap over to it. Maybe thats a little much. I would swap my netbook over to it. Yea lets go with that.

Number 1 not entirely accurate

There is a Linux replacement for Photoshop, its called GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program). And if they don't like that it's unfamiliar, there's an add-on to make it look like Photoshop. As for web design tools, that's just because people using Linux generally write the HTML or other files used for their websites themselves.

Turnabout

I have most of the same complaints (except #3), although they are directed at Windows rather than Linux.

As a longtime mainframe and Unix user, I am continually frustrated at the lack of information and flexibility in Windows. I have oftentimes tried to find how to customize a task but have been stymied by the lack of a command alternative to the GUI.

I use the Internet extensively for more than web browsing and e-mail. The tools on Linux are much more usable than on Windows.

I would also like for Windows to be more understandable. I have often wondered what all of those 'svchost' processes are doing. The documentation tells me that it depends on what flags were used to start each process. Boy that is really useful when I cannot get the original command. Oh, it's in the registry? That's the epitome of user friendliness isn't it?

As far as the comments on this article being condescending, it is no more condescending than the responses.

Author's bias

I was expecting a more objective review of demographics that try Linux and abandon it. All I got was a condescedning rant about how people who reject Linux are irrational/not objective. What a waste of my time. I certainly won't bother reading this author's op-eds in the future much less his published works.

Downloading Your *FREE* PDF Guidebook!

Thanks again for this...I am going to the linked page after I post this, and download your *F-R-E-E* .pdf guidebook (can't get any better than this!), a.s.a.p. Love your articles, I am learning a lot of things from you. More power to Linux, free source, and GNU open source! I love Linux...wish I had it around 15 years ago!

Free source=freedom of use, not price! (grin)

same problem other user used

same problem other user used server (linux operting system)
I know who ip address in this user
can help me