why is linux so hard to use?
 

i just got a new computer of a friend, and it didn't have a hard drive so i put one in and couldn't be stuffed to buy windows, and because im cheap i decided to put Linux on because i heard that window had copied Linux in most aspex and i thought it would be nearly the same, except when i tried to do anything i got absolutely no response, when i try to use exes does not run and when i download Linux programs they do the same, so i asked a friend and he said you have to link all the dll's though a command console, now im no genius but that sounds freaking hard


why isn't Linux newbie friendly like windows or mac

i reckon if windows was free Linux would be obsolete

Hello Meat. Unfortunately, this is something that happens to a lot of people when they first try linux. However, the same thing goes for anyone who might try a new career. Such as an electrician, you can't know exactly how to connect wires correctly at first, but later you learn. The same thing holds true with linux. However, as goes with jobs, there are businesses that have more machinery to do the work so less man power is needed, and there are businesses that are just starting out with less machinery and more man power, and linux is the same way.

The Ubuntu versions uses more programs that make the transition to linux easier, where as Gentoo, LFS, Slackware, and Arch take a little if not a lot more work.

Although it can be frustrating when starting out, if you continue using it you may end up liking it more than Windows, or you may not. The only way to know for sure is to try. One of the things that I have done is vented my frustration, you can find a few of my first threads, they're still around here somewhere :D.

As for exe's, well linux doesn't use Windows programs, though you could use a program called wine to run windows programs, but it doesn't work for all of them.

As for windows being free and linux would be obsolete, that is fairly unlikely. Just as with businesses, there are certain things that business A can do that business B can't do and vice versa. So there is a place for both businesses.

Either way, just try it out for a couple of months, and if you need any help just ask here. There are many people who will try and help you.

It is a said story .
You can not compare Linux , Windows and Mac
They are 3 different OS
Learning something new is sometimes difficult and you have to put some afford in it.
You said for instance a MAC is easy .
That is true as long as you stay in the GUI the same is also valid for linux
But in both cases when you start using the terminal it is not so easy anymore anyhow you have to learn it.
because than you have to learn linux CQ Unix commands
You did not tell us you're computer spec neither the linux distro you're trying to use so it is nearly impossible to help you.
If you like to have help gives us more details en specific questions
Learning is all about the EUREKA feeling

It is to people who have never used an operating system before. You've used windows and expect Linux to be like it, it's not. Before you try something new, it would be a good idea to do a minimal amount of research on it.

Have no idea what you're talking about here?

No. Linux is based on Unix which was created at Bell Labs of AT&T in 1969.

If you had done a minimal amount of reading about Linux, you would not thtat "exe" files don't run on Linux and that's just a windows thing. You need to install a special program on Linux to run windows programs.

Meat does not want to install an illegal copy of Windows; I applaud that.

Meat, you don't mention which Linux distribution (distro in short) you have installed. Most distros have a package manager that gives access to a whole lot of software in so called repositories. This software should be sufficient for your normal day to day work (office applications, email, surfing, chatting, music etc); please note that these are alternatives to your windows applications.

Sometimes a certain program is not available this way and needs to be installed from scratch.

And sometimes there is no Linux alternative to an existing Windows program. In which case you can install Wine (or CrossOver Office) and install the windows application in there; be aware that that might work or it might not work.

And to answer the question why isn't Linux newbie friendly like windows or mac, the problem is that you are used to certain ways of doing things. This is not a blame, but you have to learn to do things in the way they are designed.

Here is a good article that gives a good comparison between Linux and Windows. Some parts are a little outdated but the article is still useful.

http://www.michaelhorowitz.com/Linux.vs.Windows.html

I think that if Windows was $free, that its usage would die out very quickly. The only reason for its popularity is because MS has poured billions into marketing it. Without the appropriate revenue, the marketing would fade out and people would decide on quality. Linux has a huge advantage there.

[RANT]
This is my opinion Windows and Mac plan on the user being hand fed not thinking for them selves. "You can use OUR programs/product (at a price) but don't you dare try to change a thing or think (Your not smart enough)".
I don't think Microsoft has ever had a original idea Dos not theirs, Windows not theirs either.[/RANT]

What do you want to do with linux? As was said before if all your doing is every day stuff web surfing, office and such linux is all set to go.

If your not willing to learn (which is good for the mind) then you'll just have to fork out some money, unless you don't mind running a pirated copy of windows.

Meat

One has to approach using different OS just like learning a new language. In order to effectively communicate, you cannot think in your native language, translate in your head, and then speak in the second language, you have to be able to think in the language you are using. The same goes for Linux. You cannot think windows (or mac) and use Linux, doing so will only cause you headaches. You need to think Linux to use Linux. This is why people who have never used a computer before (my 70 year old neighbor lady) can learn to use Linux just as easily(perhaps more easily) as windows.

Letting go of the ideology of the other operating system(s) helps. It's not hard to use, if it's not hard for everyone (and it isn't). Therefore the difficulty arises from your expectations not meeting the operating system and what it provides. As with all new things, especially very different from what you're used to, you need to spend some time learning (some part of it can happen without you actually noticing, but at first you need to try). For example learning things like "executables compiled on one operating system, like .exe files on Windows, may not run on other operating systems" and "Windows Start menu isn't the place to begin on every OS" and "reading Windows books may help less than reading a Unix/Linux book and/or asking for assistance from Linux users, if you're using Linux". Put short, if you expect Linux to be Windows, you'll surely be disappointed. You wouldn't expect an eagle to act like a salmon should you force it to go underwater, would you?

The good news is, this place among others has plenty of information to help you out. So instead of burning your nerves during the first day of your new operating system, chill out, ask and be answered :)

You don't have to do anything with Windows .dll files to get along with Linux. You can in some cases even run games without using actual Windows .dll files, so I assume your friend doesn't know too much.. Yes, you *can* use them (talking about Wine program here), but it is *not* required. Linux does not depend on Windows.

I hope you get along better in the future, but remember: if it gets too hard, nobody forces you to use it! It depends on you and what you want, if Linux is "for you or not". If I were you, I spared the money for a little while more and tried to get along with Linux, for example Fedora, Mandriva or Ubuntu, and see how it went. But you are you.

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

GNU/Linux is not hard! You just don't understand the inner workings yet.

If you want a hold my hand distribution then I suggest one of the *buntus'. GNU/Linux is just another tool just like MAC OS or M$. You have to learn how to use it properly. Hopefully your experience will be much better than with M$. :)

I suggest that you do a search here on LQ on this very subject has been covered so many times. You will get a load of hits.

BTW, look at some of the links in my sig.

:hattip:

Folks;

Do you think perhaps we have been trolled?

This is one of those cases where I wish I could talk to the OP in person---eg:

Where did you hear that?

May I talk to your friend? Does he/she know anything about computers?

Linux is somthing brand new to learn, if he/she isnt willing to learn then they should not be willing to use it. You really have to use it day in and day out to really learn the workings of it.

Time will tell ;)

Love it :) However it might be Meat's interpretation of what his friend said.

I have used Windows day-in/day-out and still don't know the workings of it :scratch: Do yo really need to know the workings of something to use it? I don't think so; how many people know how an engine works and use it on a daily basis?

Maybe he meant that some programs require you to use the command line to get them to work with wine I assume

U R not cheap.I never bought any M$ distro(but using it pretty long 'couse the price of an official Win7 is my two months sellary/also by my opinion they are overpriced)U have made a decision by UR self. I did too :) ,it is hard when U realise it is not.Now is my 3rd installation of UBUNTU (I removed twice already when I was frustrated) When I run into problem ,I google For exe is normal not to run ,but so far I never run into any Linux download (from add/remove) that didn't work.
Using Terminal is not easy for me neither, but on this forum I had experienced something special... The people here has done soooooo much effort to give me a hand in short notice.
On the other hand on M$ I never got ANY assistance ever!
the find (driver,update,solution) online never (for the record:NEVER!!!) gave any result.
But ,pls take a few moment , & re-read the replays on UR post.
have U ever experienced something like this from people U never met and most likely never will?
This is why I keep trying to learn Linux ...As some post says : it is like languages .U have to learn to be able to use.


why isn't Linux newbie friendly ? I think it is.My 7 year old daughter can do much more on it than I do .LOL

I wish U all the best .

Senior users: thx for supporting US beginners.
Respect