Real Linux Users Don’t Waste Time Talking About Microsoft

Today, I want to talk about something different when it comes to Linux. It’s always the same online – you hear Linux users going on and on about how much they hate Microsoft and everyone who uses it. But honestly, who cares? It’s like Linux users can’t talk about their operating system without bashing Microsoft and what most people use. Well, let me tell you, that’s not helping anyone.

Personally, true Linux users don’t even waste their breath on Microsoft. They focus on getting things done, whether it’s for their desktop, laptop, or media center. They don’t waste their time arguing about Microsoft because they have better things to do.

I know plenty of great Linux users and you would never catch them using terms like “windoze” or “M$”. Those childish insults achieve nothing and no one cares. You don’t see me calling Linux users names, do you?

What I like to hear are stories about what people are actually doing with Linux. For example:

“I can now access all 4GB of my RAM on my 32-bit system. No need to buy a new computer!”

“My computer has been running for two weeks straight without a single reboot.”

“I love the Evolution mail client and the iCalShare connectivity!”

Those are the stories that matter. And believe me, there are plenty of them out there. It might take some searching, but they exist. I’ve found happy Linux users who never mention Microsoft because it simply doesn’t matter.

So here’s my suggestion to all the passionate Linux users out there: stop wasting your time bashing Microsoft. Cut it out of your conversations, your blogs, your videos, everything. Why give Microsoft free advertising? People don’t want to hear your anti-Microsoft rants because they’ve heard it all before. Instead, focus on sharing what you do with Linux, the apps you use, and why you prefer them. Provide useful information.

Operating systems have become so ingrained in people’s lives that they stick with what they know and what they’re used to. Windows users will continue to use Windows, Mac users will stick with OS X, and Linux users will choose their favorite distro. It’s that simple.

Those who are interested in Linux want to hear about Linux, not your anti-Microsoft opinions. So let’s try to be helpful and provide valuable insights, because, let’s face it, all computers have their flaws.

And to the Linux zealots, just chill out.

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30 thoughts on “Real Linux Users Don’t Waste Time Talking About Microsoft”

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When I think about how Microsoft has been and still is trying to control the development of alternative technologies, particularly in the IT market, I understand why people who use and like Linux/Unix feel the need to voice their opinions and promote these alternatives. However, I do have concerns about the way they go about it. I agree with you that sometimes their criticisms come across as crude and immature.

That being said, I don’t think it’s wrong to advertise Linux products as a distinct and often superior alternative to Microsoft products. This naturally leads to the Linux VS Microsoft dilemma 😉

“Nevertheless, it is not wrong to advertise Linux products as a distinctive and competitive alternative to Microsoft products.”

I respectfully disagree, and I’ll explain why.

Except for gaming (which, in my opinion, is not a compelling reason to dismiss something), Linux can do everything Windows can do and more. You’ll have to convince me why it would be wrong to promote Linux as a viable alternative when it has been a viable option for non-technical users since 2004-2006 and for technical users forever?

What about hardware support? From what I’ve seen, Linux supports a wider range of hardware compared to Windows, except for some obscure devices that are not well-supported on any operating system. Moreover, Linux surpasses Windows in terms of out-of-the-box hardware support, available drivers, and the number of platforms it runs on. Linux supports over 200 architectures, while Windows only supports 5 at most (including mobile versions).

Let’s talk about the market. Quantity does not necessarily mean quality. Yes, Linux may not have a significant presence in the limited desktop and laptop markets. However, when you consider netbooks, servers, supercomputers, embedded systems, clustering, and system administration needs, Windows pales in comparison to Linux and other Unix-based systems. Linux dominates these markets. Sure, we can estimate that Linux has less than 1% of the desktop market, but I believe this is a gross underestimation. Since Linux is freely redistributable and doesn’t require registration like shareware or commercial software, it’s challenging to determine its actual install base. Surveys and statistics can be unreliable and are often used for propaganda without solid evidence to support them.

Now, let’s talk quality. Linux excels here. It offers superior uptime, stability, a streamlined design, and even a better mascot. Furthermore, Linux allows for extensive customization and offers alternatives to default software, giving users a range of choices. Unlike Windows, Linux doesn’t sacrifice everyone’s options for the lowest common denominator.

When it comes to support, Microsoft has gained a reputation for providing unhelpful non-commercial support to the general public, focusing more on enterprise-level support. On the other hand, Linux vendors offer both commercial and non-commercial support, and there’s a vast community of forums and IRC channels dedicated to helping users. Websites like Linux Questions and the Arch forums have some of the best community support for Linux I’ve ever seen. (I’ve found Ubuntu’s community support to be lesser compared to Arch or Linux Questions. Often, I would post a thread asking for help, and it wouldn’t get a reply for weeks. On #ubuntu, if they don’t know how to fix your problem, they don’t even acknowledge your existence.)

Is Linux user-friendly? That’s a myth. Were you born knowing how to use Windows or Mac OS X? Every operating system has a learning curve, regardless of how “easy” it appears. If you grew up using Linux and then switched to Windows, people would criticize Windows as being difficult to use. The need to learn something shouldn’t be seen as a negative. It may take time, but learning Linux can provide valuable skills that can be useful in various contexts. And let’s not forget that the command line interface (CLI) offers capabilities that GUI apologists often overlook, including automation. Once you become proficient in the CLI, you can accomplish tasks faster than a GUI user.

So, please tell me how Linux is not a competitive alternative to Windows when it clearly is?

So, please tell me how Linux is not a competitive alternative to Windows when it clearly is?