[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Top 7 Reasons People Quit Linux here

[LeviD]

First Great article. But some of your tone is a bit harsh. I think also that one of the main reasons that people quit Linux is the fact that there is a certain level of comfort that people are used to with Windows. Do not get me wrong, I have a Kubuntu installation on one of my home machines and I use it, in frequently. It is not because I do not like or dislike Kubuntu, it's that I am not comfortable with all the various things that I need to know in order to be able to be a strong linux user. I would suspect that I am not alone.
Windows is comfortable, at least for me. I would suspect that if you are or have been using linux enivronments that you are likely to say the same things about linux. People could say the same thing about Macs. You article could easily be turned into "Top 7 Reasons People Quit { Insert OS Here }

[JKoenig]

Keir,
I agree with LeviD: your tone is bit harsh.
What we Linux aficionados have to remember is that 9 out of 10 users view their PCs (including Macs) as tools for accomplishing an end goal. They are blind to its inner workings (the OS) and really only know enough about the applications (software programs) to produce reasonably finished products. That this rather shallow skill and knowledge was cut on Windows and Windows applications is a testament to MS's dominant market position, which in no reflects the actual merits of its offerings.
Unfortunately, those 9 out of 10 users have no reason or desire to change how they do things unless something forces the issue--and as I see it that will only happen if MS shoots itself in the foot (and they have admittedly been doing a bit of this lately) or something fundamental changes the nature of personal computing (the “cloud” maybe?).
What this all means is that Linux is left battling for that 1 in 10 user who really gets it. Too bad Mac has already staked such a formidable foothold with this demographic.

[MarcC]

Unfortunately, the author's tone is the main reason many users shy away from Linux. I've been a faithful Red Hat user for years and like to tinker with my home PC, laptop and servers at work, not so with a vast majority of users who get told to "get used to it".

[SDallas]

Congratulations, YOU are one of the chief reasons people can't stand Linux. You are exactly the sort of condescending jerk that scares off the newbie, and convinces them that Linux users are bearded ass-hats that interact badly with people. You've reinforced the stereotype, and reflected poorly on those of us that love FOSS. Great Job :(

[AVass]

#8 - Douchey Linux Zealots who have zero patience nor knack for usability and form with function.

[kcbelfast2]

I would also agree that your tone is on the harsh side.
That being said, I think it is a fairly honest look at some of the reasons Linux hasn't taken off more than it has.
As for reasons 2 & 3 - I would say they are huge. I want something that works and is intuitive - "making things work" and having to google for commands to type isn't intuitive. I am not afraid of the command line, just don't think it should take me hours to upgrade a driver.
The biggest complaint I have (and have heard from others) is that installing things (programs, drivers, periferals) is cumbersome. Not that I am not capable, but I shouldn't have to search, compile, and command-line configure a printer. And then repeat the process for graphics, network, sound...it becomes tedious.

[pirategonzo]

PC World actually put their name behind this crap? You have no right being a writer. Why would you trash talk people so much? I am not a Linux user myself, I have in the past but it just doesn't fit into my life. So you are going to bash me for that? * [edited for personal attack/profanity]

This message was edited to remove a personal attack/profanity that was against Community Standards. Please refer to the Community Standards (http://forums.pcworld.com/docs/DOC-1000).

[bobbysanders]

Keir,
The fact that you're a linux expert seems to be skewing your perspective. Before I even go into debating the fact that these reasons ARE actually causing people to not use linux PROVES the fact that they are important.

1. Linux has all the programs that average users need.
First, I don't buy that the only programs that people are missing are industrial programs.
What about iTunes?

As far as "industrial programs" It's not just professionals that use adobe products and the like.
Linux also doesn't have any compelling, easy to use solutions for both sound or video editing.
Finally you're also exluding anyone who uses these programs at work and ever want to edit or even possibly view any of their work at home.

2. My Graphics card and wifi card didn't work under windows either.
Yeah right. I can't remember the last time I bought a computer any it didn't work right out of the box. Nor can I remember a time when applying regular windows updates screwed up my computer. This used to happen a lot more ofter in the 98/ME days but XP has had excellent hardware support from day one.
The solution to 99% of these problems on windows is:
i. Go to hardware manufacturer's website.
ii. Download latest driver.
iii. Double click the exe.
iv. Problem solved.
In linux even the act of installing your drivers is still a pain and probably beyond the ability of a "normal user". Consumers should NEVER have to compiler a driver or their kernel.

3. "Console commands aren't hard"
Sorry, but they are. In Windows or MacOSx an end user is not expected to run system commands, compile code, run scripts, edit config files in .vi or anything of the sort. NOR SHOULD THEY. Computers are no longer a hobbyist industry. In fact, they haven't been over a decade. Windows solved this problem in 1995.

4. "things don't go wrong in linux that often"
This isn't uncommon. The real complaint here isn't that thing go wrong. It's that when things go wrong in linux you get booted to a command line and then have to try and fix your xwindows configuration file. Not that you'd have any idea where to even begin. Again, even since Windows 95 Microsoft implemented "Safe Mode" and since XP the automated recovery tool from the windows cd.

I personally am a software developer by trade. I love running linux servers. I love the linux command line. I love the fact that I can deploy a build farm of 30 linux boxes on inexpensive hardware with no licensing fees. However, at both work and home I run XP and virtualise linux inside of VMWare in and when I need it. I think we're still a few years off before I end up running linux and virtualizing windows.

[AVass]

Really, dude? This is a professional article? You're published? This article should be entitled "Case study on why mainstream PC users dislike the Linux community."

[jediknight]

Dear Keepers of Ubuntu,
Thanks for your effort, it looks like you guys spent a long time trying to make a good OS 'for humans'. I, like so many others, saw the open source following as a new way to shed light into a closed hellhole of DRM, authorizations, passwords, credit card numbers, and General Disarray. I came to Ubuntu to find a better OS, and 6 months later I find myself wallowing in failure with Ubuntu. I am browsing craigslist for a macbook and looking at my Windows Corporate SP3 disk; wondering (dreaming about) just how quickly I can get Skype working without my music crashing, open an excel sheet that has over 1000 lines of data without freezing up, extend my desktop on a dual display, or play a flash video online without dealing with this: http://ubuntuforums....ad.php?t=636397
Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
I am writing this letter to let you know, at least for this user, Ubuntu is too bug-filled to be called 'Linux for Humans'. If anything, let us know we should expect to spend many hours hacking away at apt-get, sudo chmod +x, Synaptic, ubuntu forums, and other ways of getting a program to work.
Please take a different approach. This is not Linux for Humans. Ubuntu is still what most Linux based systems are: a beta OS for hacking away at.
I guess I am going to buy a macbook and check in periodically with the Ubuntu team to see if you have success with flash, extend desktop, stability with Skype and Rhythmbox or any other music client, and other vital applications like this.

[jediknight]

#1 reason: users run into problems weekly, if not daily.
#2: you need to be a developer to get it to work.
#3 is not needed.

[rasmasyean]

“Typing commands = intelligence” is probably one of the most dumb notions Linux aficionados use to make them feel superior in some way and think all other people, especially those “dumb noob Windoze uzers”.

In truth, not many people want to memorize all these archaic text just to do something and rather have something presented to them in some visual summary. This is the KEY to user interface design and human cognition that made Apple rise and Windows take over. Some people just won’t remember these strings of letters a month or even a week later.

If you think command-line aptitude indicates some superior intelligence, I have some news. Linux admins make a lot less the CEO’s. And try to get the average CEO to get used to Linux…I think not.

[rasmasyean]

“Typing commands = intelligence” is probably one of the most dumb notions Linux aficionados use to make them feel superior in some way and think all other people, especially those “dumb noob Windoze uzers”.

In truth, not many people want to memorize all these archaic text just to do something and rather have something presented to them in some visual summary. This is the KEY to user interface design and human cognition that made Apple rise and Windows take over. Some people just won’t remember these strings of letters a month or even a week later.

If you think command-line aptitude indicates some superior intelligence, I have some news. Linux admins make a lot less the CEO’s. And try to get the average CEO to get used to Linux…I think not.

[rasmasyean]

“Typing commands = intelligence” is probably one of the most dumb notions Linux aficionados use to make them feel superior in some way and think all other people, especially those “dumb noob Windoze uzers”.

In truth, not many people want to memorize all these archaic text just to do something and rather have something presented to them in some visual summary. This is the KEY to user interface design and human cognition that made Apple rise and Windows take over. Some people just won’t remember these strings of letters a month or even a week later.

If you think command-line aptitude indicates some superior intelligence, I have some news. Linux admins make a lot less the CEO’s. And try to get the average CEO to get used to Linux…I think not.

[rasmasyean]

“Typing commands = intelligence” is probably one of the most dumb notions Linux aficionados use to make them feel superior in some way and think all other people, especially those “dumb noob Windoze uzers”.

In truth, not many people want to memorize all these archaic text just to do something and rather have something presented to them in some visual summary. This is the KEY to user interface design and human cognition that made Apple rise and Windows take over. Some people just won’t remember these strings of letters a month or even a week later.

If you think command-line aptitude indicates some superior intelligence, I have some news. Linux admins make a lot less the CEO’s. And try to get the average CEO to get used to Linux…I think not.

[squishie]

Sounds reasonable to me. When I find something new and unfamiliar. First I read instructions. Then with the instructions next to me, I play and poke around with it until I am reasonably comfortable that I have a clue to what I am doing. Then it's learning through trail and error. Maybe I am different, I enjoy the unknown. Put's a little spice in life.



OPP's....After having read all the comments and have never even seen Linux, let alone play with it. I must admit I would be at a complete loss as I don't know anything about computer data language. Sounds like trying to learn to read Chinese. I think I will leave Linux to you high tech types.
Message was edited by: squishie

[rasmasyean]

“Typing commands = intelligence” is probably one of the most dumb notions Linux aficionados use to make them feel superior in some way and think all other people, especially those “dumb noob Windoze uzers”.
In truth, not many people want to memorize all these archaic text just to do something and rather have something presented to them in some visual summary. This is the KEY to user interface design and human cognition that made Apple rise and Windows take over. Some people just won’t remember these strings of letters a month or even a week later.
If you think command-line aptitude indicates some superior intelligence, I have some news. Linux admins make a lot less the CEO’s. And try to get the average CEO to get used to Linux…I think not.

[rasmasyean]

Damn that front page blog UI needs some work. I culdn't see any of the comments so I like poseted it like 5 times.

[jediknight]

second that.