From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.
* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.
* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal window.

All in all, this was not a friction-free experience. I do not recommend
it for novices or for anyone who wants a PC that is easy to operate and troubleshoot."

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-replace-windows-with-linux/


First installer Linux distro was released in 1992:

https://www.reddit.com/r/vintageunix/comments/1bqa44n/mcc_interim_linux_097pl2_from_1992_with_x_and/

So 34 years later and it's still a pain to switch to Linux?


You know what I always say:

__ __ ______


--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

On Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:19:25 -0500, DFS wrote:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.
* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.
* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal window.

All in all, this was not a friction-free experience. I do not recommend
it for novices or for anyone who wants a PC that is easy to operate and troubleshoot."

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-replace-windows-with-linux/

First installer Linux distro was released in 1992:

https://www.reddit.com/r/vintageunix/comments/1bqa44n/

mcc_interim_linux_097pl2_from_1992_with_x_and/

So 34 years later and it's still a pain to switch to Linux?

You know what I always say:

__ __ ______

Funny enough, that old distro looks pretty nice for the time. It's easier
on the eyes than Windows 3.1 was.
--
CrudeSausage
John 14:6
Isaiah 48:16
Pop_OS!
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

On 2026-02-18 16:12, CrudeSausage wrote:

On Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:19:25 -0500, DFS wrote:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.
* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.
* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal window.

All in all, this was not a friction-free experience. I do not recommend
it for novices or for anyone who wants a PC that is easy to operate and
troubleshoot."

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-replace-windows-with-linux/


First installer Linux distro was released in 1992:

https://www.reddit.com/r/vintageunix/comments/1bqa44n/

mcc_interim_linux_097pl2_from_1992_with_x_and/

So 34 years later and it's still a pain to switch to Linux?


You know what I always say:

__ __ ______

Funny enough, that old distro looks pretty nice for the time. It's easier
on the eyes than Windows 3.1 was.

Are you familiar with the phrase, "Damning with faint praise"?
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

DFS wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.

True.

* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.

Probably true, given x86 ubiquity.

* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal window.

Bullshit.

All in all, this was not a friction-free experience. I do not recommend
it for novices ...

True.

... or for anyone who wants a PC that is easy to operate and
troubleshoot."

Bullshit. Especially given that a good Linux distro has no more
problems than "the latest Windows".

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-replace-windows-with-linux/

--
Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns hideous clothing.
-- Dave Barry
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

On Feb 18, 2026 at 1:19:25rC>PM MST, "DFS" wrote <10n56sa$2ui4j$1@dont-email.me>:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.
* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.
* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal window.

For what? For most people who are just using a web browser and a word process and the like this is not true. Has not been for a long time. If they do uncommon things it can be, though.

All in all, this was not a friction-free experience. I do not recommend
it for novices or for anyone who wants a PC that is easy to operate and troubleshoot."

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-replace-windows-with-linux/

First installer Linux distro was released in 1992:

https://www.reddit.com/r/vintageunix/comments/1bqa44n/mcc_interim_linux_097pl2_from_1992_with_x_and/

So 34 years later and it's still a pain to switch to Linux?

You know what I always say:

__ __ ______

--
It's impossible for someone who is at war with themselves to be at peace with you.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

At Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:10:08 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> wrote:

DFS wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.

True.

* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.

Probably true, given x86 ubiquity.

* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal window.

Bullshit.

All in all, this was not a friction-free experience. I do not recommend
it for novices ...

True.

... or for anyone who wants a PC that is easy to operate and troubleshoot."

Bullshit. Especially given that a good Linux distro has no more
problems than "the latest Windows".

I agree.

Nobody brings up the troubles setting up Windows because their
dealer does most of the setup. For example, when I set up
Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, I had to look around for
a way to remove Bitlocker from my disks -- and that required
a couple of commands typed in the Windows terminal, in Powershell.

Yer standard Windows user has a guru they go to when things go
wrong, and they can't fix it -- if not a relative or buddy, they'll
need to go to Geek Squad or something.

Those "guru" types for Linux are harder to find. That's why
I like the idea of Linux Cafes.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-replace-windows-with-linux/

--
-v System76 Thelio Mega v1.1 x86_64 Mem: 258G
OS: Linux 6.18.10 D: Mint 22.3 DE: Xfce 4.18 (X11)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090Ti (24G) (580.105.08)
"Virtuoso: A musician with very high morals."
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

On Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:10:08 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

DFS wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.

True.

* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.

Probably true, given x86 ubiquity.

* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal
window.

Bullshit.

It's not entirely untrue. For some pieces of software, you might have to
add a repository and accept its key. Similarly, some update systems
haven't migrated over to the GUI. However, the popular distributions are
good at keeping you out of the terminal.

All in all, this was not a friction-free experience. I do not recommend
it for novices ...

True.

... or for anyone who wants a PC that is easy to operate and
troubleshoot."

Bullshit. Especially given that a good Linux distro has no more problems
than "the latest Windows".

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-replace-windows-with-linux/

I would say that there are just as many problems with Linux as there are
with Windows. You might face certain problems in Linux and need to troubleshoot, but the likelihood is just as high now with Bitlocker being enabled by default in many installations of Windows (causing people to
need their key after some updates install) and with updates causing driver chaos as they did recently with NVIDIA GPUs. The same way Windows can fix
a problem you're having in Linux such as "why does my Goodix fingerprint reader not work in Linux but work fine in Windows?", there are certain
issues Linux will fix such as "why do I get graphic and sound stuttering
four times a day in Windows but not in Linux?"
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

On Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:32:16 +0000, vallor wrote:

At Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:10:08 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom
<OFeem1987@teleworm.us> wrote:

DFS wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.

True.

* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.

Probably true, given x86 ubiquity.

* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal
window.

Bullshit.

All in all, this was not a friction-free experience. I do not
recommend it for novices ...

True.

... or for anyone who wants a PC that is easy to operate and
troubleshoot."

Bullshit. Especially given that a good Linux distro has no more
problems than "the latest Windows".

I agree.

Nobody brings up the troubles setting up Windows because their dealer
does most of the setup. For example, when I set up Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, I had to look around for a way to remove Bitlocker from my disks -- and that required a couple of commands typed in the Windows terminal, in Powershell.

Yer standard Windows user has a guru they go to when things go wrong,
and they can't fix it -- if not a relative or buddy, they'll need to go
to Geek Squad or something.

Those "guru" types for Linux are harder to find. That's why I like the
idea of Linux Cafes.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-replace-windows-with-linux/

I'm particularly disgusted by how Bitlocker automatically enables by
default when you install Windows 11 Pro. It's quite annoying particularly
if you're trying to set up OPAL hardware encryption. Rather than allow you
to set it up when you're ready to make sure that it uses the hardware to complete the task, it goes ahead with its own compromised software
encryption. You have no choice but to use Rufus to create an ISO which disables encryption by default just to stop Windows from pulling a
"Clippy" on you and doing things you never asked it to.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

Brock McNuggets <brock.mcnuggets@gmail.com> wrote in news:69972b14$0$23$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com:

On Feb 18, 2026 at 1:19:25rC>PM MST, "DFS" wrote <10n56sa$2ui4j$1@dont-email.me>:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.
* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.
* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal
window.

For what? For most people

know that you are a filthy stinking troll known as snit Michael Glasser Prescott Computer Guy.
So why not FOAD.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

On 2/18/26 3:19 PM, DFS wrote:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.
* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.
* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal window.

All in all, this was not a friction-free experience. I do not recommend
it for novices or for anyone who wants a PC that is easy to operate and troubleshoot."

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-replace-windows-with-linux/

First installer Linux distro was released in 1992:

https://www.reddit.com/r/vintageunix/comments/1bqa44n/ mcc_interim_linux_097pl2_from_1992_with_x_and/

So 34 years later and it's still a pain to switch to Linux?

You know what I always say:

__ __ ______

Fear, uncertainty, doubt. Obviously not everyone is going to appreciate
Linux on the desktop. But nor would everyone put up with Microsoft's behemoth. Knowing how to effectively use Linux as a desktop OS is a
blessing, a refuge from Windows.
--
Joel W. Crump
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

On Feb 19, 2026 at 7:36:14rC>PM MST, "Tim Longshine" wrote <XnsB3F8DBC50D49F1000000@62.164.182.23>:

Brock McNuggets <brock.mcnuggets@gmail.com> wrote in news:69972b14$0$23$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com:

On Feb 18, 2026 at 1:19:25rC>PM MST, "DFS" wrote
<10n56sa$2ui4j$1@dont-email.me>:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.
* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.
* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal
window.

For what? For most people who are just using a web browser and a word process
and the like this is not true. Has not been for a long time. If they do
uncommon things it can be, though.

know that you are a filthy stinking troll known as snit Michael Glasser Prescott Computer Guy.
So why not FOAD.

Smells like socks in here.
--
It's impossible for someone who is at war with themselves to be at peace with you.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

On 2/18/2026 7:12 PM, CrudeSausage wrote:

On Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:19:25 -0500, DFS wrote:

"ZDNET's key takeaways

* Modern Linux distros have gotten easier to install.
* You're most likely to succeed with standard x86-based hardware.
* Be prepared to copy and paste lots of commands into a terminal window.

All in all, this was not a friction-free experience. I do not recommend
it for novices or for anyone who wants a PC that is easy to operate and
troubleshoot."

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-replace-windows-with-linux/


First installer Linux distro was released in 1992:

https://www.reddit.com/r/vintageunix/comments/1bqa44n/

mcc_interim_linux_097pl2_from_1992_with_x_and/

So 34 years later and it's still a pain to switch to Linux?


You know what I always say:

__ __ ______

Funny enough, that old distro looks pretty nice for the time. It's easier
on the eyes than Windows 3.1 was.

It does look good for its time. In fact, the 'top' program today looks
a lot like that one in the pic, just in higher resolution.




--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2