Re: The problem with Linux

On 2024-03-21, vallor <vallor@cultnix.org> wrote:

The "problem" with Linux is there is no "Genius bar" or "Best Buy" to
visit if there is a problem.  No "Geek Squad".
>
If you aren't your own systems guru, then you know someone
that can come by and work on your system, or that you can
take your system to get fixed.
>
I end up being help for family and friends with Windows problems.
For example, Dad and his wife fight with their Windows 10
laptop all the time, thanks to Windows 10.  They're stuck with
it, because half of their life is in MS Access databases.
>
They are locked-in.
>
This is also the case in businesses.  Before companies had dedicated
IT staffs, there was the "departmental guru model":  someone in the
department would get the training to help everybody else out.  But
there was always someone to turn to.
>
Linux, you either need to learn something -- not as much
nowadays, but still, you need to know how to (say) boot a USB drive,
or ask a _good_ question in a support forum.
>
Or, you know someone who can help; or buy turnkey from a vendor
that has very good _Linux_ tech support.
>
So, my point:  Until there is more ubiquitous support for Linux
desktops, there won't be as many Linux desktop systems sold.  But
don't be fooled:  that doesn't mean Linux isn't successful, just that
its success with desktops is narrowed-down to certain
types of users.

There are help forums, which I suppose won't be much worse than any
"geek squad". I learned on my own, but I had prior experience learning
the ins and outs of DOS and Windows and Commodore 64's, so
troubleshooting and figuring these things out was something I could
do.  I got a friend or two, or three into Linux and they all managed
with surprisingly little help for me, but again, these were users who
liked to fiddle around with computers too.

I installed it on my wifes laptop, and so far, the only question I got
was how to get the old Apple II "Carmen SanDiego" game running!  My
wife does NOT know computers, but she's been using the system for over
a year with no issue.  Her needs are admittedly simple.

Support lines may help, but the best support is someone you know you
can ask questions, which makes the best way to get people into Linux,
is to promote it to people you think may be interest AND are willing
to help.  I'm going to install it on another acquaintences machine, as
he is interested in moving away from Microsoft.

To be honest though, the kind of person who isn't interested in
solving problems, is probably not going to get much out of Linux.