Top 7 Reasons People Quit Linux
I've been writing Linux guidebooks for some time, and it's fair to say that most people who buy my books are Windows users looking to make the leap to Linux (or perhaps just wondering what the fuss is about).
Because of this, I've heard a lot of excuses why people quit Linux, and return to Windows. I'm happy to say that the excuses are getting far less common nowadays, compared to 2003, when I wrote my first book. But I still hear 'em.
Here are the top seven reasons I've come across. No doubt you've heard them too.
1. Linux doesn't run a program I use.
In this particular argument, people typically point out that Linux doesn't run one of the main Adobe products, such as Photoshop or Dreamweaver. They then point out that there's no swap-in replacement in the world of open source.
This is true. I can't argue.
The problem is that they're using specialized industrial tools. Most people neither know nor care what Dreamweaver is. It might seem otherwise in the circles in which that person moves, but out here in the real world it just ain't the case.
Much of the work that's gone into desktop Linux in recent times has been to make it better for the ordinary individual. Linux now has a top-notch browser and office suite, for example. But, so far, nobody has got around to recreating specialist toolsets such as high-level Web design software.
The solution is simple: If you need to use a particular industrial tool for your work, then you should keep using it. That means you'll have to keep using Windows. It's no big deal.
2. I installed Linux but some element of my hardware didn't work!
That's incredible because I installed Windows the other day and had the exact same experience! My graphics card didn't work, and wifi didn't either.
Might this just be the way PCs are?
But do you know what I did? I fixed everything. Maybe I'm lucky to be clever enough to do so, but if I wasn't, I could easily ask around for solutions. I know there are smart people out there who are willing to help.
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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
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.
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.