I’ll agree that Windows is broken (same as it ever was), but as Thatcher used to say: “There Is No Alternative”. Linux? Don’t make me laugh. It isn’t, have never been and will never be a consumer OS. It’s a commando line OS with a GUI tacked on. It’s simple enough to install, and as long as you only want to write docs, check your email and browse the web it’s fine. But if you need something special or get into any problems you’re up sh*t creek without a paddle (or a canoe).

• On 5 May 2026 at 20:52 Fulmen Said:
  I’ll agree that Windows is broken (same as it ever was), but as Thatcher used to say: “There Is No Alternative”. Linux? Don’t make me laugh. It isn’t, have never been and will never be a consumer OS. It’s a commando line OS with a GUI tacked on. It’s simple enough to install, and as long as you want to write docs, check your email and browse the web, but if you need something special or get into any problems you’re up sh*t creek without a paddle (or a canoe).

Not sure that I would agree with that! Whilst Linux was indeed clunky and nerdy many years ago it is now I think quite user friendly. If you load a modern distro, I use Linux Mint, it has most things that you would require and comes with a range of software not generally provided with Windows. It has for example a full and up to date browser in Firefox (you can load many others). It has a fully working office suite, Libre Office, that provides word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation etc. I also have an image editing program, GIMP, that is as good as Photoshop.

Much of the internet (WWW) runs on Linux servers, Android and most TV operating systems are based on Linux. Even Apple has it’s roots in Unix which is from a similar starting point as Linux.

As to specialised programs it depends what you want, there are plenty of CAD programs that run happily on Linux. There are programming environments for every language known to man and a few others. Generally speaking Linux will do what you want without the Microsoft overhead and the endless and annoying updates that stop you working for hours at a time. Yes Linux updates regularly, if you want it to, but normally only takes a minute or so.

Windows is still clunky and deep down based on DOS from the 1980’s nothing is properly updated and nothing is removed apart from the useful widgets you used to get with the likes of Windows 7. Microsoft are only interested in making cash and have managed to close their system so that corporates are stuck paying extortionate fees to maintain a defunct system.

John

It’s perhaps worth looking also at OnlyOffice as an alternative to MS Office.  Available for Windows, Linux and MacOS.  I’ve had a brief look at it and it seems highly compatible with MS doc formats though the devil may be in the detail. I have adapted to Win11 but get the feeling it’s increasingly flaky so starting to look at changing again.  I’ve finally started to get to grips with 3D modelling using OnShape which runs in a browser so not tied to an OS so that won’t be an issue.  Just need to sort out the CNC aspects.

Doesn’t look like a command line OS to me but each to their own…

Screenshot just now!

John

I remember talking to an ex-colleague who had just joined Oracle, the big database company. He said that they only needed to maintain a couple of different variants for IBM systems, and one for VAX/VMS. And about another 50 for different Linux/Unix versions.

I think he was joking…

I thought so as well. Then I tried Linux. Repeatedly. Now I would rather eat a box of light bulbs before messing with Linux ever again.

Did I mention I have two Raspberry Pi projects on the books? *sigh*

bring back parchment and quill pens! I’ve used both windoze and Linux Mint. Can’t say I’ve had any issues with either. Occasionally you have to type command line stuff to download a Linux app, but it can often be done by cut and paste. There again I managed with things that were command line only, not difficult you just have to concentrate.

If I can find a cheap graphics card I’m thinking of resurrecting my previous computer with Linux to put in workshop

On 6 May 2026 at 17:45 Fulmen Said:

… I would rather eat a box of light bulbs before messing with Linux ever again.

Did I mention I have two Raspberry Pi projects on the books? *sigh*

The forum is good at helping folk solve problems, but only if they explain what they are!  However, if Fulman only wants therapy after a bad Linux experience, I can provide both types:

1. There, there you poor boy. You’re absolutely right, you only failed because Linux is useless.  By all means tell everyone Linux is no good, but don’t provide any technical details that might reveal ego damaging levels of ignorance! Stick to pithy generalities like “I would rather eat a box of light bulbs” – that’s clever because it avoids accepting responsibility.  OR
2. Fulmen!  Pull your socks up.  Only bad workmen blame their tools.  Linux is a tool that you have to learn how to use.  Computing is skilled work too, so stop expecting results from slapdash misunderstandings.  No excuses, stop moaning and get stuck in…   Tell us what you where trying to achieve and what went wrong. Blaming Linux helps no-one, including yourself.

From what’s been said, I suspect Fulmen attempted a computer project without having all necessary skills.  Been there, done that.  But, keep it in proportion, millions of people have switched to Linux without blowing a fuse.  Most don’t get entangled in the CLI or try to fix problems by switching Distros.  I suggest Linux is innocent, and this is a wetware problem.

If Fulmen prefers therapy Option 1, let’s explore dumping RaspberryPi.  Don’t want him eating lightbulbs!  There are single-board Intel chipped Windows computers with IO pins like the raspberry, so why not.   Be warned that although these boxes run Windows, effort is needed and expect a steep learning curve.  Though setting up Windows will be familiar, programming IO pins isn’t standard: Windows is more difficult than Linux for this type of work.

Vic entitled this Topic “Windows is dying”.  Perhaps “Windows is in relative decline” is closer.  Reality check:

• Apart from special cases all versions before Windows7 are effectively dead.
• Windows 7 is still a fairly common legacy system, but often run inside a Virtual Machine as a way of avoiding hardware compatibility and security issues.  Sooner or later, owners are forced to change because old systems slowly become ever more difficult to maintain.   W7 is fairly common in the home too, only replaced when the owner’s ancient computer breaks. If it ain’t bust don’t fix it!  Though it can be done, replacing W7 with W7 is hard work, so, on the evil day, expect a big jump from W7 to W11!  Linux Mint might be less painful.
• Windows 10 is slowly dying because Microsoft have controversially shut it down. Unfortunately, Windows 11 is not an upgraded Windows 10. W11 contains many new features Microsoft can profit from, some good others bad.  The jury is out on W11:  up-to-date figures are hard to come by but domestic purchasers are resisting it, and many that switch to W11 dislike it.  It is pushing people on to Linux, though not on a grand scale. Though home users and small businesses can be ignored by Microsoft, Windows 11 is also annoying corporates with much more clout.  So the battle for the desktop isn’t Windows vs Linux/Apple it’s the fight is between Windows 10 and Windows 11!  My guess is Windows 12 will win after some of W11’s more obnoxious features are removed; then W10 will fade away like it’s predecessors.
• Other than on the desktop, Windows has proved unpopular in other important fields, though I’d say the defeats leave the OS walking wounded rather than fatally damaged:
  • All the world’s super-computers run Linux.  Prestige rather than a financial problem.
  • Linux dominates the market for embedded systems.  Pretty much everything network related from home routers to Internet Service Provision is Linux.  So are Media centres, ATM,  Point of Sale, automotive, aerospace, control & security systems,  game consoles, TV sets, you name it.   Windows never competed successfully in this space, and it’s worth billions.
  • Microsoft made a determined effort to get into the Smart Phone Market with a Windows variant.  The attempt failed, and I don’t believe anyone sells a Windows based Smart-phone today.  Extremely painful for Microsoft because the Smart Phone market is enormously valuable.  The Smart Phone battle was won by Apple and Android, both UNIX based. Android is a highly tuned Linux.
  • Though Windows is a popular server operating system, it plays second fiddle to UNIX/LINUX.  UNIX has always been server focussed by design, whereas Windows started as a desktop OS and extended from that.  Thus, when serious grunt is needed, Linux is more tuneable and reliable. And it has an excellent CLI!  Consequently most internet and cloud services are hosted by Linux, plus many of the hefty applications run privately by commerce and science etc. Microsoft have been fairly successful on servers, but not as much as they would like.
  • Artificial Intelligence is the new kid on the block. The enormous amount of compute power needed by AI backends is provided by Linux, not Windows.  Windows is good for AI development tools though.

The Windows operating system isn’t Microsoft’s main source of income by a long shot.  Just as well because laptops and PCs are being displaced by Smart Phones.  By a factor of 5x last year. Smart Phones and the Internet of Things are a major change in what customers want from Information Technology.  As a result PCs are in decline whatever the OS.  Income from Windows remains valuable, but Microsoft’s big profits come from the Cloud, AI, Business Productivity tools, and services.  Though Windows is fading, Microsoft are alive and kicking!

In the interest of balance, here are two good reasons for not switching to Linux:

• Being thoroughly familiar with Windows and having better things to do than learn a new operating system.  Linux isn’t Windows – it’s different!    Despite many similarities the two aren’t identical, especially if more than email, word processing and web browsing is needed.   Many users find “similar” is straightforward enough, but effort is required and not everyone has the time or inclination.
• An application not supported by Linux is essential.  Adobe and Microsoft products; pro-audio and video editing tools; games; business apps; USB dongle protected software; and other high-end software such as Engineering Applications.  For Model Engineers, the last are a likely showstopper. For example, Alibre, currently on offer, only runs on Windows, as do Fusion360, SolidEdge and SolidWorks.   Whilst Alibre can be persuaded to run on Linux or Apple, advanced skills are needed.  Personally, I wouldn’t bother – if any of these tools are needed, it’s much easier to cough up for a compatible Windows machine.

Dave

@Andrew: As I’m sure you’ve figured out I am trolling here. I have no real ax to grind and I’m perfectly OK with other having great experience with Linux. But at the same time I don’t think I’m completely wrong either. Note that I don’t think Linux is useless or even bad per se, just that it’s a poor substitute for Windows as a general purpose consumer desktop OS.

SOD isn’t wrong in concluding that the problem is me, and that I’ve started something without the required skills. But that is also my point, because that’s how I always roll. With Windows I have (almost) always managed to solve the problems coming my way. With Linux I can never get any traction no matter how many times I try. And I don’t think my experience is unique, if Linux truly was a good, user friendly OS I think it would have seen a wider adoption by now.

Pointing to all the other uses where *nix dominates kinda proves my point. It IS a good OS for many uses like servers, embedded systems and everywhere else where the common user isn’t expected to muck about under the hood.

Now if you’ll excuse me I have to see if I can get Octoprint installed on a Raspberry Zero 2. What could possibly go wrong?

Microsoft keep insisting on producing security updates, the most recent ones causing considerable damage with some users being unable to get anything to load at all with total loss of their files. and then Microsoft having to produce a quick fix to undo the mess the previous update caused in the first place.

You can try to turn updates off as l have done but it keeps prompting me to download it. I know you can see on the web how to stop updates permanently but they do not work unless you have the pro version of win ll. I have not updated anything for 12 months or more other than virus updates and my high spek gaming pc works flawlessly

Not sure how wise it is wise to skip security updates completely, but that’s your call.

The Raspberry project came together without any problems. Not really surprised as it’s bespoke software for quality hardware.