Sorry, no...if you think that ANY OS is going to install perfectly every time, support every bit of hardware in every configuration with zero problems/drivers/configuration, keep dreaming. There is no amount of "community" in the world that will make that happen, and no amount of money, either. If you want to see this in action, go to the store, and buy a copy of Windows 10, and try installing it on any laptop you can find. See if you don't get dragged into driver-hell about your devices. Try setting up a printer on Windows 10...see how 'intuitive' it is, when it FORCES YOU to scan the network first, before letting you enter details, then asks you about creating ports for a printer. If you're totally new to things, you'll quickly be lost.

The OP said they had "major problems" installing Linux...they did not. The problems they encountered were with the POS software they tried to install. That is a perception ("The OS is broken, because my third-party program won't work"). What, exactly, would you like the community to 'fix' in that situation? How is the 'community' going to get someone to read instructions and follow them? Post answers to questions when asked about their wifi?

TBOne, wow you really have an issue. Instead of just calling someone a troll because an OS you like didn't work for them, and to continue to go on and on about a troll, why don't YOU just leave it alone. I personally don't care what you think as you obviously believe I'm someone that has all of this extra time on their hands that I have nothing better to do than come here, start a few bogus threads asking for help, then try to convince everyone that Windows is a better OS than Linux.

This will be my last post unless I am asked a question directly from someone.

I didn't think I'd have any problem converting from Windows to Linux. The 1st problem I had was getting my wireless adapter to work properly, yes on Mint. So I buy a different wireless adapter because I found the instructions somewhere on how to install the drivers on Linux. I bought the Alfa AWUS036AC. Remind you, I already had wireless adapters that worked just fine with Windows, Rosewill. I didn't need any new wireless adapters but I bought one thinking it would work with Linux. It didn't. It would work maybe 5 minutes and then start disconnecting. This single problem did not deter me.

I went to Lowes and bought a 1000' roll of cat5e, a cat5e tool and ethernet ends. Again, remember I didn't need to do any of this because I already had perfect internet using Windows. I ran ethernet cables to all 4 computers at my office. I'm thinking if I can just get stable internet I will not have any other problems. I was determined to use Linux.

After the internet issue was resolved with ethernet cables, I needed a POS software Unicenta (says it works on Linux) and with some help finally got it up and running. However, I could not get it to create a desktop shortcut and didn't like having to go into terminal everytime and start the program from there.

Also had some other problems. Printer was recognized with no problem but scanner was not. I do alot of scanning and getting my scanner to work was not an option, it was a must. DVD drive was knocking when installing Ubuntu on my home PC, the one I had just built. I was just about to pack up the new drive and take it back to Best Buy. I said, for the heck of it, lets try installing a Windows OS to see what happens. The knocking of the DVD drive stopped. I put the Linux Ubuntu install cd back in and got through the setup just to have text breaking up, li e th s. I as v y diffi ul to r ad. This is where I gave up.

So in my effort to troll this forum I spent 2 weeks fighting with a OS I really wanted to use. I spent money on wireless adapters, cat5e cable, cat5e tool, cat5e ends, etc. Now I've just spent more time trying to convince someone that I'm convinced cannot be convinced that I'm not a troll. So you're right, why? You don't have to answer that.

So back to my first question: If you're going back to Windows, why post about everything you perceive to be wrong with Linux? Why not just GO???

Your problems weren't severe. DVD 'knocking'? Absolutely ZERO to do with Linux, more likely to do with the actual media you had in there. You had no need for CAT5 and a thousand feet of cable either...Rosewill devices are cheap for a reason, and you don't say what kind of systems you had...because a USB 3 device on a system with USB2 ports could very well have problems. You just now told us what kind of Wifi devices you had in play. Scanning

I NEVER SAID you opened bogus threads...just that there was (and is) no point to this one. If you're going, go. Use whatever you like. But assign the blame correctly...if there are MILLIONS of people using Linux and YOU have problems, it makes no sense to lay the blame on the OS.

Good luck to you.

Oh come on. Linux is not an OS you can learn in two weeks. Anyone can learn it, I'm no genius but I did it. When I installed my first Linux my sound didn't work. I started reading ... I found out I have to patch kernel sources for my Gravis Ultrasound ISA card. So I patched the kernel, I configured it and I built it. And it worked. Do I have to add I knew about ten words in English when I started my Linux adventure and all documentation was in English? I had to learn a new language, Linux basics and much more to get it working. Did I go to usenet and started complaining how awkward Linux is?

@TBOne: People can't start threads here about what they want? Really, you were proven wrong about the troll thing.. Get over it (and maybe apologize!?)

@jkirksey1889: Just use the best tool for the job... You most likely missed something since there is little chance that two separate wireless cards failed to work and trust me, the DVD drive either fails in both systems or doesn't fail at all (the actual DVD in it, that another issue)... But hey, maybe dual-boot one system and try to play for a bit...

About Unicenta, that's an open-source software and these usually work better in Linux (but that depends on developer support)... However, this isn't any kind of "avarage use" and I truly recommend that if you need any computer to be just a POS then make the time to make it work on Linux...

People can start threads about whatever they want. "Proven wrong"?? So tell me how opening a thread about "goodbye, I'm going back to Windows" is the LEAST bit productive/informative, and that will prove me wrong. Or tell me how starting a thread on a Linux website, saying that their problems were 'solved' by going back to Windows, because Linux had 'major problems' isn't a troll-class post.

Or are you going to assert that I CAN'T post whatever I want?
Agreed totally. It always is about the best tool for the job, period. But blaming the OS because they had problems they didn't plan on, or work through, is wrong, which is my entire point. They need scanning...fine; Windows probably had a piece of software that came with the driver. Linux has a LOT of different scanning packages, and I've not had any problems getting huge Canon copiers to scan for me, down to desktop HP boxes. Rather than saying "I have machine xxx with wifi hardware yyy, and I'm having a problem", they bought cable.

ANY system will need setup and configuration. I doubt I could configure a Mac as easily as I can work in Linux, simply because I don't know it well. But I wouldn't blame OSX for my unwillingness to work through problems, or provide details when asked.
Agreed again. Plus, for about $75, you can pay them to install it and configure it FOR YOU, according to their website. And I certainly wouldn't run a POS system over Wifi, period.

What this thread is starting to sound like to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_Fb3wZ_dJY

I'm gonna go maybe one-third the way with jkirksey1889. My wife decided to switch to Linux (Fedora) after the Windows 8.1 debacle (as she calls it). When she thought she had encountered a problem she routinely followed these two steps: 1) Issue forth with a small, vocal rant and 2) Call on the hubby (the one with 10 years Linux experience and Unix experience since 1985) to fix it.

The hubby (that would be me) would, instead, show her how to do it one time, and watch her do it herself the second, if necessary. Rinse, repeat.

The problem, I think, isn't about Linux so much as it is about a natural resistance to change (that, and the man-pages are still AWFUL, IMHO - a carry-over from the Unix heritage).

After about 6 months, she's stated she's never going back to Windows. After 14 months, she's advising friends to switch to Linux. I'm projecting that after about 3 years she'll be advising the hubby to upgrade his hardware so he can run firefox 51.2, and the soon to be invented TwitterBook, EsSkype and Google Solar System also.

That was an interesting thread..

It's as (un)productive as your posts... It is more informative than your posts.. Deal with it... It's also not a troll and that's a fact (by definition of troll)

with so much breath spent on why one should not write "pointless" or "useless" posts, i will part with these words:
ps:
rokytnji, thanks for the mariachi band

C'mon guys this whole thread is simply testimony for the fact that almost everyone here has spent MANY weeks in Windows and for quite a few that should be YEARS. I pent years in Windows and it wasn't even my first GUI. OS/2 was and if it counts, before that DOS Shells. Windows enjoys a 90++ Market Share on the desktop so their business model is obviously successful which is locking you into their convenience at the expense of your owning your own PC as a system. Obviously 2 weeks cannot compete with that.

I started with Linux in 1998 and I recall 2 significant milestones. About 1 solid month in I began to "get it". Another month later I switched from Mandrake to Slackware and in that month decided to try to get by for the next month without ever rebooting into windows. Only then did I begin to feel free from MS's seductive clutches. To spend 3 months almost totally on unfamiliar ground requires a strong desire to break free, toss away the crutches and walk on your own and that takes understanding that you are on crutches to begin with. So while I'm not at all sure why OP bothered to post here, it is easily understandable why he went back. He doesn't see the value clear enough... maybe yet, maybe ever. His choice... and he has that prerogative.

Did you do any research?

Well if you've researched before buying, you would have saved yourself a lot of pain.

As it's a production environment, switching to wired networking is actually prudent. You probably won't regret that even if you stick with Windows. Also if it's a small network (you said 4 PCs) powerline adapters might have saved you from running cable.

Though, you previously mentioned running 'a' cable and tripping over it?

Easily rectified. I saw your thread and most of the problems were in your scrabbling about trying to find what you'd installed and all the time not even being sure if you'd installed it. If you make no effort to understand how things work, that's what lies ahead. Learn some of the basics first and just install a distribution and play around with it.

Did you check if the scanner was compatible before installing Linux, randomly buying a new (incompatible) wifi adapter and a big roll of cat5e? You could have saved yourself a lot of hassle with: "scanner not compatible; forget the whole thing".

Don't know - bad burn maybe? Windows was likely a pressed CD, whereas the Linux distribution would have been burned onto recordable/rewritable optical media...

If it's any consolation - I disagree that you're trolling. I just think you're a typical new user who jumped in with both feet after doing very little research and preparation. Instead of arguing the toss with some people on a forum, you should just take a break and have another go when you're ready. But next time around just take your time over it.

Look everyone, I really WANT to use Linux. I hate Windows.

However, I own a business where I cannot afford not to use Windows at this time. I thought (some of you are right, I didn't prepare) Linux would be an easy transformation from Windows. In fact, I was sure I'd "get it" pretty much from the start. I generally learn quickly.

Someone mentioned if it's a POS I want to use I should use Linux. This is how I stumbled across Linux in the first place.

Someone else said something about the wireless adapter. I don't know what to tell you. I tried 2 different ones and both would only work for 5 minutes or so before they'd start disconnecting every minute or 2.

Someone else said something about the DVD drive I said was knocking with the Linux (Ubuntu) OS on it. I used the same DVD to install at the office. It didn't knock there. It knocked in the new DVD Rom I bought for the newly built PC. Obviously there was something about the DVD that did not like the newer DVD drive.

I considered, and still do, switching to Linux. However there are some problems that will not allow me to at this time. I mentioned earlier that maybe I'll dual boot and play with it when I get a little extra time. Like some of you have said, you cannot learn it in 2 weeks. Well I cannot afford to shut down the business until I learn it.

I have also used Quickbooks for the past 4 plus years and would like to use GNUcash, but I cringe at the thought of having to try to convert or transfer 4 years of data to a new program. I cannot even create a shortcut in Linux, the thought of moving 4 years worth of data to Linux is scarier than death.

Maybe and possibly I was wrong and some took it the wrong way when I started this thread. Like I said earlier, I was at my highest frustration level when I started it. When I said screw it, and went back to Windows, I was very excited and happy that everything worked again. Again, although I hate Windows it was a joy to be using it again.

I'm not here to knock Linux. I think once it's learned it would be a great OS to use. It was just so frustrating that almost everything I tried to do failed. Sure my lack of knowledge played a role in this failure. I wasn't expecting what I got.

I will continue to learn what I can when I can about the OS. I want to use it. Windows does things that I cannot stand but at least I can get my programs to work, and I can't do that in Linux.

Once I have the time and opportunity to start playing with Linux again I hope I can count on you guys to help me with the learning curve. Of course I'm gonna find and read what I can on my own but it's always helpful when you can ask a specific question to a real person or people.

I hope to to talk with you guys again soon. In the meantime wish me luck.

Thanks.

Good Luck. I really mean it. I never played at using Linux. Necessity was the mother of invention for me.
My business is scooters. So of course my mileage varies from yours.