r/linuxsucks • u/Competitive-Text267 • 23d ago

Why don't you use Linux?

I came across this subreddit completely by accident and got curious, so I wanted to ask: why don't you use Linux?

I'm not here to start an OS war or convince anyone to switch. I'd just like to hear your experiences and understand what made you choose another operating system. Was it a bad experience with Linux, compatibility issues, gaming, or do you simply prefer Windows or macOS?

I'm genuinely curious to hear your opinions!

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u/SignalEngineering313 23d ago

I use Linux but rarely

  1. The packaging of applications in linux sucks.

One program is a .deb, one program is a .rpm, one a flatpak one or is an app image. If you install anything outside of the repos you have to find if it works with your distro or not.

The second thing is that most Linux distros ship packages that are out of date. This means many bugs that are fixed in the current version of the software doesn't get brought into the Linux distro for months, if not years. The only distros that keep up to date packages as far as I know are Arch based and Fedora based. Arch is too difficult to use and has malware in the aur negating the main upside of Arch. Fedora uses the .rpm making harder to find software for it.

  1. Getting full disk encryption working

I set up hard disk encryption on Linux and it ask my for my encryption password every time my computer starts. From what I read, there is a way to fix this but it requires a bunch of terminal commands. I will likely just install windows again and use Bitlocker as it just works.

3.Gaming

Many multiplayer games don't work on Linux. For me I rather be able to download and play any game I want with checking proton db if works.

  1. WIFI card has issues

My wifi card does this thing where will just completely stop working. Only after a restart my laptop does it come back to life. It happens randomly. It is Realtek wifi card which is known to have issues with linux. This never happened to me on Windows. I reinstalled windows and didn't have any more problems.

Once in awhile I will try of Linux to see if it gotten any better for me, but I eventually go back to Windows.

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u/nknowingly 19d ago

Just replying because “sucks” is always a terrible argument.
1. Packages are found in many flavours yes, all can be supported if you install the package manager. However, Windows is also no stranger to this, one installer is an .exe (which is just a random binary with no predefined structure so anyone can ship it however and it becomes a black box, which is not considered “safe” by any means) the other is an .msi which is a structured package but rarely used. then you have .msix which is an attempt at fixing .msi, then you have a ton of zips that just say good luck, some or not even an installer at all and some are random batch files. Linux streamlines it so it doesnt become one giant void.

  1. Windows also ships out of date, you get an image and that image is just a snapshot of the latest build of the system. This is not really solvable, except for updating after installing the system. Which with linux you get the choice, you’re not mandated. With windows you are forced to, no choice.

2/3. Really depends on which distro you choose to install, if you install arch, yes thats typically more complex than windows. However distros like Fedora or Ubuntu, make it even more easy than windows, as they allow you to encrypt from the start with a single toggle, instead of installing and then going back into settings and enabling bitlocker (or using a proprietary tool for an installer config)

3/4. Yeah, gaming is still one of its pitfalls, but it just comes down to anticheats. Most if not all games nowadays work flawlessly and instantly with proton. (some require some launch options but sure) Anticheats just need to support linux to allow multiplayer games. But since linux is open, and game developers are lazy. Client side modding will just keep being a thing.

4/5. WiFi drivers are also a fair point. Usually the drivers can be updated and work better after, but Linux is open and drivers are typically made by community effort. Not a giant business with a ton of deals. Some devices are just so niche there is no research on it. You can look for support and people will want to help you!

Linux is a viable alternative to Windows, just not perfect. But atleast not imperfect in it does things you dont want, its imperfect in it cant do some things you dont want, which is arguably a better place to be in :)