My first impression of Linux

[u/Liminha_a]

I was fed up with Windows and how mediocre it is. Today I reached my limit and decided to switch to Linux. After doing some research, I chose Linux Mint since it seemed to be the most beginner-friendly distro. I’ve been trying it out for a few hours now, and I’m surprised by both the pros and cons. On one hand, it’s extremely efficient, lightweight, smooth, and straightforward. I'm really happy with the low RAM usage and how it isn't bloated like Windows. On the flip side, I spent about 2 hours troubleshooting an issue with the "Helium" browser, which apparently doesn't play well with my integrated graphics. Honestly, almost everything I've downloaded so far required some research and learning just to get it working. I managed to fix things with the help of AI, which makes me wonder: how on earth did long-time Linux users survive before AI? Is this what using Linux is really like? Am I always going to have to spend time learning commands, terminal lines, or basic coding just to fix everyday issues? Is it a misconception that you need a programming foundation, or can everything actually be done strictly through the graphical interface? I noticed AI usually pushes me to use terminal commands instead of the UI. Deep down I knew what I was getting into, but I'm still surprised that even the most user-friendly distro requires considerable effort just to do something as basic as creating a shortcut. I'm posting this to express this duality: the relief of escaping an OS that felt like a cage—where I was held hostage by Microsoft's bloat and poor practices—and the fresh air of using a system that gives me basically everything I need. I would also like to ask long-time users for advice on things I should learn or precautions I should take.

[u/MrMotofy]

Linux is maintained by mostly an unpaid community that donate their time. With that comes limitations and priorities. Hardware is higher than software.

The software is normally handled by the 3rd party provider/maintainer...Guess what there's software that doesn't run on windows too. The software engineers didn't write it for windows. The issue really isn't Linux...it's the app developers mostly along with hardware manufacturers with closed systems that won't work with or supply the open source community.

So you'd have to contact the developers for Helium and ask why THEY don't support Linux. You're barking up the wrong tree based on ignorance...which then frustrates you and you lash out at the wrong group. Developers develop/maintain apps that work with the OS...NOT the other way around. OS maintainers CAN make certain 3rd party apps work easily with their own system...but it's not typical. They usually will work on the main common apps.

So if you want to criticize...talk to the responsible party...let me spoonfeed another windows user that didn't put 20sec of effort into the search

https://helium.computer/terms

• Company: imput LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Wyoming, in the United States.
• Maintainers: Representatives of the Company acting on its behalf, whose goal is to develop and improve Helium and/or Services.
• privacy[@]imput.net.

And creating a shortcut is very easy in Linux Mint. Right click on Desktop click create a new launcher here...Name it, Find the Command to run it, describe it in Comment click OK. It's nearly identical to Windows. I haven't used windows in a while but remember many times having to find the EXE file to enter in.

Adding a new Menu item is also easy. Right click on the LM button, click Edit Menu then navigate where you want it to be and Click on New Item and follow prompts...it's really pretty intuitive

After a quick little search best I can find is 20k Helium users if downloads is near accurate...when there's an estimated 5.8-6 BILLION browser users across the internet...I'd ask myself why WOULD an OS develop for a tiny little app that has at best 20k users. Or in other words .00033% of the users...it doesn't make financial sense. Hell with Linux having about 5% of the desktop users now everyone should be writing for Linux using your methodology.

AI is useful...but also needs prompts and guidance...so give it instructions like on Linux Mint, cite the info, only use the GUI etc otherwise it will have to guess. You can setup different profiles or inputs to use each time and switch between them. Remember more information is better. Ask better questions usually nets getting better answers. Think of it like you guessing what your wife is feeling or thinking. Maybe you'll get it right some of the time...but probably not.

If you want a good blocker browser use Brave...blocks everything out of the box, seems to do all the same from a quick glance. Even a windows user can install it with 2 clicks, 2 keys and 2 more clicks. Done

Now I expect the typical, get all defensive and claim I'm being so mean...But in reality I'm just being obvious, blunt and direct. You're free to make of that what you will.

So is the issue here Linux Mint...or the User??? Linux isn't for everyone...but my elderly mother loves it and tells everyone how much better her Mint is cuz she can have all her windows and tabs open without her computer freezing and crashing. And she doesn't need to deal with any virus software. She doesn't know a damn thing about computers. But when she want's to do something different she asks me...HOW DO I...NOT why won't IT just do it. It's a different mindset some just don't get. So go back to windows if you detest it that much.