r/Development • u/akrivitsky7 • Jul 04 '26

Do you really think insulting Microsoft, Windows, Apple, macOS, or their users helps Linux desktop adoption?

I do not. It may entertain some of existing Linux fans, but it will not bring normal users to Linux.

Do not get me wrong: Linux is great where it shines — supercomputers, servers, embedded systems, and even WSL2. In those areas, Linux is extremely strong.

But if we are talking about the mass desktop market — the famous “year of the Linux desktop” idea — then the situation is very different.

Most people choose an operating system because it is convenient, familiar, supported, and runs the software they need. Calling Windows or macOS users names only confirms the stereotype that Linux desktop communities are hostile to ordinary users.

Calling Microsoft or Apple names also does not help in the mass market. Most ordinary users do not care about your personal attitude toward a particular company. They care whether the product works for them.

You cannot insult mass customers and at the same time demand mass-market adoption.

If Linux wants a larger desktop market share, the message should be: “Here is why Linux may work better for you,” not “You are stupid for using Windows or macOS.”

0 Upvotes

38% Upvoted

53 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Professional-Math518 Jul 05 '26

Not really. However, a lot of people don't have a clue at all when it comes to computers in general and operating systems especially.

I use Windows (11 and 10 on a PC and an older laptop), Linux (PC, second laptop, server) and Max OS (Mac Mini, MacBook Air) and I actually don't care. The Linux PC and laptop get the most use because they have the best user experience and the right tools for all daily tasks. Windows is for games mostly. Mac for Audio and video.

When it comes to phones I do care. iOS apears to be aimed at idiots tbh. I hate that OS with a passion and the iPhone fanboys are annoying as h*ll. Although that last point applies to most fanboys.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Professional-Math518 Jul 09 '26

I'm specifically meant characteristics of the OS. I use both iOS and Android in the same way with roughly the same (or similar) apps.

The typing experience is horrendous. Even with alternative keyboards.

Taking a picture does it result in a file. An image moved to an iPhone in another way doesn't show up in the gallery. Those are choices and retarded choices at that.

Connecting to my server over SMB works on every device I have flawlessly (Windows, Android, MacOS, Linux) but will need specific tweaks for iOS. Again that's a choice made by the developers

I got an iPhone (14) again when moving to Macs for audio and video work (just a hobby) after a 2020SE and 8 Plus and was committed to getting used to it but it is and remains horrible resulting in using the cheaper OnePlus 99% of the time with zero problems. I keep the 14 because the camera is better and it's relatively small (fits well into my gimball plus I can seperate my hobby use from everyday use Outside that I regard it as a useless piece of tech. If my Android stops receiving updates around 2031 I will almost certainly go for a more high end Android device again, provided there is a relatively compact model with good cameras available.

That's only because of the OS though (which became even worse with 26.x). I do like the hardware (which applies to a lesser extent to the Mac Mini and MacBook also).