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Thread ID: 124673	2012-05-12 03:02:00	Why I still don't like Linux	Tony (4941)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1274840	2012-05-13 11:39:00	I am also a fan of linux. I am running ubuntu 12.04 as a dualboot and really like the customization it has to offer. It also seems faster than windows 7. I just get annoyed when things go wrong and I can't fix easily.. Some basic things I want to do, I have to google how to do it, then see that I need to do something via command line. Because I am not familiar with command line, I can't easily fix things.	sahilcc7 (15483)
1274841	2012-05-13 12:56:00	I downloaded the Ubuntu 12.4 iso ... well there's your problem ... :) Ubuntu != Linux Have you tried setting up Win7 as a dual boot on a machine with existing OS's? I haven't since XP, but it wasn't straightforward, maybe it's improved since then. The default install of Ubuntu comes with Gnome3 & the Unity interface. If you are basing your opinion of "linux usability" solely on that, you are missing an entire ecosystem of user interfaces, that either out of the box or by your own configuration, can make your PC work exactly as you want, and maybe also have some features that you didn't know you couldn't do without. FWIW I feel like I have one arm tied behind my back when sitting in front of a Windows machine. Also, being at the mercy of a hundred third party software vendors to be trusted to fix security issues promptly, and to have MY best interests at heart, makes me a bit squirmy.	fred_fish (15241)
1274842	2012-05-13 21:48:00	Have you tried setting up Win7 as a dual boot on a machine with existing OS's? It's certainly easier than getting Ubuntu to play nice... The default install of Ubuntu comes with Gnome3 & the Unity interface. If you are basing your opinion of "linux usability" solely on that, you are missing an entire ecosystem of user interfaces, that either out of the box or by your own configuration, can make your PC work exactly as you want, and maybe also have some features that you didn't know you couldn't do without. I don't particularly like Unity either. On my test desktop PC, I've configured Ubuntu to use the previous Gnome interface, it's somewhat better. On my netbook (installed using Wubi), I just put up with it as I'm usually using the Terminal anyway. :p	pcuser42 (130)
1274843	2012-05-13 22:28:00	I've tried Linux multiple times with various distros, and gone back to windows every time. It's not that I think windows is better or that Linux is bad, just that I am not prepared to put the time and effort required to get the same degree of usability I get by default with windows. I remember a workmate writing his own graphics driver to make Linux work. My first serious attempt at using Linux was as a media machine. I got it all installed and then tried to get a TV tuner working. Two weeks of research and reading and attempting to configure it later I managed to get myth TV to display an untuned signal from the tuner. I never could get it to actually tune anything though. After reinstalling windows I had it working in about 10 minutes. It's only one specific example and many things in Linux I'm sure are quite easy, but when they are not it's a nightmare for a casual user. In my personal opinion Linux is still not ready for the average mainstream user and may never be. It suits those who like to have control and don't mind learning the in's and outs and has certainly made great strides over the years, but it still seems like a OS for the enthusiast rather than the casual user. I recently rebuilt an old Pentium 4 from a couple of dead machines, I might have a play with Linux one more time :)	dugimodo (138)
1274844	2012-05-13 23:21:00	I think Dugimodo has pretty much duplicated what I was about to say . I'm not a fanatic Windows fanboi or rabidly anti-Linux, but the fact is that for me, Windows just works and Linux always requires work . I don't want to have to, as Johnd says "If you don't understand what the partitioning options are then it is time to do some research and find out if you want continue with Linux . " I understand partitioning; I just want the options presented in a way that makes immediate sense . It is great that Linux has all these different options for desktops etc - why am I not presented with them in an easily-accessible way when I go to install? There was a time when I was prepared to spend a lot of time digging around in the guts of stuff to see the workings - these days I just want it to happen . As long as Linux installation requires the sorts of attitudes expressed by Linux devotees in this thread, I don't think it will be a candidate for widespread non-techo use and will remain an OS for those who like tinkering . That is not meant to be a put-down of Linux fans - it is clearly an OS with a huge amount of merit and wonderful for those who are prepared to put in time and effort to get it working, but for your average person in the street - I don't think so, not yet anyway . I also recognize that it is hugely more newbie-friendly than it used to be . As I said in the original post, I recall with a shudder the hoops I once had to go through to get any sort of networking going - now it just works . All we need is for that ease of use to permeate the rest of the OS .	Tony (4941)
1274845	2012-05-13 23:24:00	Have you tried setting up Win7 as a dual boot on a machine with existing OS's?Well, yes. As I said in an earlier post, I currently have Win7, Win8 and Vista multi-booting on the same hardware. When I tried to install Ubuntu on the same box, it didn't recognize that any of those OS existed.	Tony (4941)
1274846	2012-05-13 23:26:00	Live CDs (especially Ubuntu family) often have issues that a HDD install doesn't. I would try a HDD install first and then see how you like it. You could use Wubi which installs Ubuntu inside of Windows (not that I recommend that method (it's a bit limiting and sometimes buggy) but it's much easier to get installed) If you want to do a 'proper' install and you're worried about which drive to put it on etc, try this: 1) Unplug all your hard drives. 2) Plug in an extra drive to install Linux on. Doesn't have to be very big if you just want to test it out. 10GB+ would be fine. 3) Run the install. With only 1 HDD plugged in, it has no choice but to install itself there. 4) Plug all your other drives back in. Boot from the Linux HDD using boot selection option in your BIOS. 5) If you get more interested and want to keep the Linux, run an upgrade and install the latest kernel version. It will automatically rebuild the Grub config and list all your Windows installations as well. Then you don't need to manually choose the correct HDD each time you start up. (You can also manually update the Grub config, but I forget the method - though I'm sure someone else here can help with that!)	Agent_24 (57)
1274847	2012-05-14 00:31:00	What I want to know is how to remove the extra Grub entries for Windows (and the old version of Ubuntu I got rid of). I've already got the Windows bootloader chainloading Grub so don't need Windows in Grub :p	pcuser42 (130)
1274848	2012-05-14 01:15:00	What I want to know is how to remove the extra Grub entries for Windows (and the old version of Ubuntu I got rid of) . I've already got the Windows bootloader chainloading Grub so don't need Windows in Grub :p You can manually edit your Grub config or such and remove the entries you don't want, but every time you run something that updates the Grub config (like upgrading the kernel) it will put them back . Someone on the forum here said that was not normal behavior, and it's something that only Ubuntu does, so there may be a way to turn that 'feature' off . Personally, I use Grub as my primary bootloader as it's just easier . And what's wrong with Grub anyway? As for the old version of Ubuntu you have removed, it's probably left an old bootsector or such on a drive . Deleting it or rewriting with Windows if it's a Windows drive should stop it detecting it .	Agent_24 (57)
1274849	2012-05-14 01:53:00	With respect, you are just confirming everything I have written. Why on earth would I want to go to all that trouble? I was trying a "proper" install when the HDD/other OS issues came up.	Tony (4941)
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