What are some really bad things about Linux?

Question

Hey,

I have a new friend who I have recently met in real life. She is really sweet and everything but she has weird opinions about some things. Lately, we've been arguing over operating systems. I know people that work in the tech field and talk to them a lot while she is just a basic user. She still insists on telling me Linux is really good. I want some unique arguments to use against her when I respond to her message.

I already know that Linux is in pretty rough shape. I try to explain to her that you can only use a command line interface on Linux because it is just an operating system kernel and she doesn't agree. Like, you can't look at pictures with Google like you can on my laptop or tablet. She even said that if that was true and it was text only you could still read emails but I keep trying to tell her the internet doesn't work with Linux. I need some unique stuff though, stuff that hasn't been said a million times before to convince her.

What are some terrible things about Linux or L-Unix?

Jason

Answer 1

That depends on the point of view. It's no where near as comptible with the software market. That being said, if all she does is facebook and check mail and has no interest in software, what's the diff?

Answer 2

Linux is in pretty GREAT shape. Linux users enjoy a variety of GUI DTE's (Graphics User Interfaces DeskTop Environments). Some look very much like MAC OS-X and some look more like Microsoft's Winduhs desktop. Other Linux windows desktops are even better still.



Linux is the name of the kernel, but is also used as the name of the entire operating system.



Shell command line usage is available, much as it is in MAC and MS-Winduhs, but a user does not need to use the command line for most normal operation. She is certainly right about that.



For example, Firefox and most other web browsers work very well in Linux and for the most part work and look the same regardless. Your laptop and tablet might be running Linux, or they might be running something else. Also many smart phones run a version of Linux.



Of course the Internet works very well with Linux. A great many web sites are themselves running on Linux world-wide, as you almost certainly already knew.



Most of the most popular applications and tools are available for Linux in one form of another. And the quality is certainly as high as on any other system. That is why many businesses and more than a few countries are using Linux desktop and server systems. Google® to cite just one example.



Probably the worst thing about a Linux desktop is that user productivity and enjoyment is so high-level, that one is reluctant to get off the computer and go home. Explain that to her. Because Linux is so good, she might not want to leave it to make time for you.

Answer 3

Sorry to tell you, but from the sounds of it you are BOTH very basic users. Linux is not command line only, you can go on the internet, watch videos, listen to music, just about everything you can do with any other computer.



Terrible things about Linux:

That website you spend so much time on is probably using it.

I don't get viruses

I have more control of my computer than you do with windows

I can use an emulator to run a lot of windows based products.





Your new friend doesn't know much about Linux, but you don't know anything at all about it. You should do some research before you make posts.



Good Luck!

Answer 4

Linux has a variety of rich GUI's. So it's not all command line. But the command line that it does have is directly compatible with a millions of other computers, servers, and network devices. Linux is open source so it's got the oversight of thousands of brilliant people. You have no contractual obligation to a corporation either.



What's bad about it? It can be a pain in the neck to setup some of your hardware. And half or more of the free shareware on the internet has no linux compatible versions. But you can game on a linux machine. You can even run MS Office.

Answer 5

Lmfao Linux is not command line only. It does have an Internet browser. U can even use chrome an Firefox on it.. Ur information is wrong! The only thing bad about Linux is that major companies don't actively support it. Which is funny cuz half or more of servers out there are actually Linux servers not windows or other based, although she's a "basic" user she seems to kno more than you!

Answer 6

Where have you been??? Linux has many GUI's you can choose from i.e., Desktop Environments (e.g., Gnome 3, KDE 4, Mate, Cinnamon, xfce, LXDE, e16 & e17, &c.), Windows Managers (e.g., Open Box, Blackbox, Swordfish, Fluxbox, Awesome, &c.), &c.



Also Linux is not UNIX nor is it a UNIX clone, it is UNIX-Like, the Free BSD branch, OpenIndiana, Solaris, &c., would be UNIX Clones.



Have you played around with Android? If yes, that is a Linux Operating System.





Linux has already surpassed Windows within innovations http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/desktop-os/2012/05/06/why-linux-is-forging-ahead-on-the-desktop-40155165/ , and Microsoft is actually copying a lot of the Linux Distros http://www.planetbd.net/windows-8-is-steeling-features-from-linux/ && http://www.efytimes.com/e1/fullnews.asp?edid=78630





The truth is, the Linux OS' have become very user-friendly, and has been fairly user-friendly for a good 10+ years now.



Linux Myths Debunked http://linuxologist.com/01general/9-linux-myth-debunked/ && https://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/205147/fact_or_fiction_top_8_linux_myths_debunked.html



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The issue here, it seems that you are spreading (F)ear (U)ncertainty and (D)oubt. Why is it that you are trying to persuade her into thinking that Linux is a bad Operating System? The only people I know of who do that are fanboys, in reality, whatever OS works best for the user is the OS that they should choose to use, that is merely logic and common sense.

Answer 7

I use Linux and do everything anyone with Windows can do on the Internet, except maybe get Viruses. I read news and see the Videos they run. Stream music and movies. True most of the software for Linux is free so maybe it better to buy software for Windows. There probably not the quality games for Linux like Windows, so for a person enjoys many of the main stream games would prefer Windows, but, Linux can run many of those using a free program called Wine.

So, tell her she can not play the many games you can buy on Linux, mainly just the free ones you can get. For a Gamer that is terrible about Linux!

Answer 8

Linux in its most basic form is just command-line. But a number of GUIs have been built to go on top of it. If you get Ubuntu for your PC, it usually comes with the Gnome GUI (or something similar) which makes it look and feel quite a bit like Windows or anything else, and you can use a web browser in the normal manner and everything.



One issue I have with Linux is that it never gives full privileges to a user. Rather, even the adminstrator users have to execute some commands with sudo in order to make them work. I understand the reasons for this on a security level, but for casual use it tends to get in the way and makes things harder than they need to be.

Answer 9

Why don't you just admit you know nothing about Linux? The only thing "terrible" about Linux is that it won't run Microsoft products.

Answer 10

Fedora 8.5 the newest Fedora launch is 12. professional's loose OS, loose software, far extra versatile and open source. Con's this is nonetheless reuqires somewhat extra entusiasm and recognize-how than Shrinkwrapped hand protecting that MS can provide.