I don't think hardware support is the biggest issue stopping people from migrating from windows to Linux. To be honest I don't think it would make most windows users top 10 list of reasons why they won't use Lunux.

Issue number one would probably be because it is all too confusing and frighting... Different 'bistos,' compiling stuff, command line interfaces, messing around with typing things into system files!!!

Yes someone did ask me what a Linux 'bisto' was!


Ahhh, Bisto...

Thats probably the main reason, too many distros but I also think is the elitism disagree with this video all you want, but sorry he's got a point. Again if I were a 'newbie' to Linux and faced with a rather abusive userbase, well then, what would be the incentive?

Not all communities are like this, but you have to think that it just takes one to kill someone's interest in Linux.

I have to disagree with the OP and person he posted about. My experience is that for the most part, if you have a reasonable attitude, and provide the information requested, then you'll get reasonable support for free. I have always tried to present myself as a type who strives to help others where I can in a 'no fuss' kind of way, and I think the majority around here are the same. What I don't like are dramatical, demanding, ranting types who post with novels for questions, instead of clear,concise questions or requests etc. I'm a mod in another distro-specific forum, so had to deal with a number of interesting types over the years.

I have to say that I don't follow the point of picking various YouTube diatribes about the "Linux community" and saying that is a Linux problem. This involves him making a big deal about Linux Mint having their servers hacked and then having someone post comments back about it. Again, Jeebizz, if you look at YouTube, lots of people do this about every subject available. I don't believe the "Linux community" needs to change because someone can go off on a rant. I'm pretty sure someone is going to go off on a rant anyway.

And the too many distros thing. Who do you believe should not be permitted to utilize free software to make their own distribution? That's sorta the point of the freedom.

Im just going for a newbies perspective, in the case of the many distros out there, it can very well be confusing.

Like many people are confused when buying a new car, or choosing insurance, buying a home, making sense of nutrition labels on food products, etc.?

Some people want to stay confused. Someone posts they don't understand why there are so many Linux distributions. Someone else answers about how Linux is the kernel, and that anyone is free to create an operating system based on the Linux kernel and other free software projects. The person asking the original question replies that they don't understand why there are so many Linux distributions. I am sure there isn't anything to be done about that. Other people learn as they read and ask questions.

I would suggest that is one reason for community forums. Explaining or pointing people to information so they are no longer confused. One could continue to attack the "straw man" of "too many distributions", "straw man" in the sense that it is billed as a big problem rather that what it actually is-the normal outcome of free software that anyone is free to build from.

So someone makes a pizza with goat cheese, figs, prosciutto, and arugula. Some guy walks in and goes on a rant about how that isn't a pizza and why do people make c*** like that (or perhaps makes a YouTube video about it). What sort of movement do we need to mount to solve that grave problem? Or maybe people can just make and choose to eat whatever kind of pizza they want.

Sometimes it is impossible to fix opinionated stupid and one just needs move on.

I don't argue with fenceposts. They don't listen either.

Edit: I am usually pretty mannered and respectful in a forum setting.
Till the claws and teeth start showing.
Then, exit. Stage right.