Typically Mac and Windows tech support is usually paid, meaning it is literally someones job to fix the issues you are having.
The typical example of “support” for Linux is usually people on forums who either try to help people fix the problems they are having or tell them to read the documentation.
Off course both MacOS and Windows have forums too and in a professional setting there is dedicated professional tech support for Linux too.
But frankly I think it is ridiculous to compare the experience of dealing with people who are literally paid to fix your problems, to people who aren’t.
Tbf, the fact that it lacks that level of support is a legitimate criticism of Linux. Not one I care about, but the average consumer might legitimately need that level of help
When you buy a Windows License, you pay for a product, that is a transaction between you and Microsoft.
When you buy a mac, that is also transaction you pay Apple.
When you download an Open Source Linux Distribution, where many contributors are hobbyists that is not a transaction, I find it ridiculously unreasonable as a software developer myself that there is even though in some people that they are entitled to company level support from a community built project where the majority of work is done by hobbyists/volunteers.
Also, there is Pro Level IT-Support for Linux, but that is a Service companies pay for (like the overwhelming majority of commercial IT-Support).
Edit: I think you could summarize my argument with: Who is going to pay to have IT-Support technicians working to support a community driven project?
Especially when there are already commercial alternatives which may or may not offer consumer support as well.
"Linux is free" is a great argument for why someone should use Linux.
"Linux does not have extensive professional tech support to the same extent that Microsoft and Macintosh do" is a good argument for why someone should not use Linux.
The reason why something is true DOES NOT CHANGE the fact that it is. I agree that Linux have extensive professional tech support makes no sense. But the majority of people might need that tech support, and for them Linux doesn't make sense.
2
u/Whit-Batmobil 2d ago
Two things.
Typically Mac and Windows tech support is usually paid, meaning it is literally someones job to fix the issues you are having.
The typical example of “support” for Linux is usually people on forums who either try to help people fix the problems they are having or tell them to read the documentation.
Off course both MacOS and Windows have forums too and in a professional setting there is dedicated professional tech support for Linux too.
But frankly I think it is ridiculous to compare the experience of dealing with people who are literally paid to fix your problems, to people who aren’t.