While I might sound like an elitist, switching to Linux is an option if you have an Intel Mac. If you have an M* Mac, you'll have to wait for Asahi Linux to be usable. Apple broke standards again. Linux can run 32-bit apps, that's for sure!
Also, you don't rely on Apple for critical security upgrades, instead by the time your hardware hits "75% of this PC is legacy", you would've upgraded by then. Also, you get more control, and you can actually afford to upgrade. Plus your money doesn't go to draconians.
I recommend EndeavorOS. Why? Simple. Newer software, faster. It's so reliable that it's boring. This means you can have up2date binary blobs (Chaotic-AUR for example) without needing to compile. For example, GZDoom. Pretty much any Linux, non-Ubuntu user (who hates FlatPaks) who doesn't want to compile is screwed, with some exceptions.
Of course Linux is not perfect, for example The NVIDIA Problem still exists, but it's not much of a problem as it used to be. WINE exists for Windows programs. If you rely on macOS specific programs, you're out of luck. Try finding an alternative. If you can't find a good one, it's your choice.
Here are some of Linux's advantages:
Spoiler:
1. Customization and Control. You can make it look and feel like anything, including other OSes. See /r/unixporn and gnome-look.org. Be an emperor today!
2. Fast & Light. Much higher performance and possibly better drivers. (TALKING TO YOU, INTEL!)
3. You support Free Software. See gnu.org.
4. A built in package manager. You get all of your updates in one place, plus you can use your computer while it's updating, and reboot on your time, with one exception. (TALKING TO YOU, PACKAGEKIT! [Gnome Software Center & Discover use it.])
5. It's free as in free speech AND as in free beer. No account shenanigans, no ads/telemetry, no online account shenanigans, nothing of that sort. See DefectiveByDesign.org.
6. There's no catch to the above, with some exceptions that I probably already mentioned.
yum13241 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 05, 2023 11:47 am6. There's no catch to the above, with some exceptions that I probably already mentioned.
Except for needing to adjust to an entire new OS and application ecosystem, because nothing that you've got on Mac will work on Linux, and the majority of desktop environments for the platform do not seek to mimic what Mac does in terms of UX.
I continue to maintain that "just switch OSes!" is the least useful advice to give to somebody who can't run one specific program, because not everybody is willing to completely uproot themselves and go through the learning process of using their computer, for the sake of that one program. It's like telling someone whose car transmission just broke, "just go buy a motorcycle!"
WildWeasel wrote:
Except for needing to adjust to an entire new OS and application ecosystem, because nothing that you've got on Mac will work on Linux, and the majority of desktop environments for the platform do not seek to mimic what Mac does in terms of UX.
For point 1, I never forced them to switch. I can't. For point 2, you can still access iCloud (in a limited form) and all your accessories will work. For point 3, it's not THAT hard. Rebuilding the transmission is more like unsoldering a bunch of soldered parts and soldering new ones (on an Apple device). Also, the CuteFish DE exists.
WildWeasel wrote:
It's like telling someone whose car transmission just broke, "just go buy a motorcycle!"
Cars and motorcycles are more different than operating systems. Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is more dangerous than not installing the right driver.
wildweasel wrote: ↑Sun Mar 05, 2023 12:24 pm
I continue to maintain that "just switch OSes!" is the least useful advice to give to somebody who can't run one specific program, because not everybody is willing to completely uproot themselves and go through the learning process of using their computer, for the sake of that one program. It's like telling someone whose car transmission just broke, "just go buy a motorcycle!"
And weirdly enough, this advice *always* comes from Linux users.
Why would a Linux user tell someone to switch to Windows for example?
Anyways it's proven Apple has no interest in any graphics API that isn't theirs. At least on Windows drivers fix that, and on Linux you can get more out of your hardware (my iGPU supports up to 4.6 now, without overriding the version string) And if it were up to me they'd be shutdown for violating anti-trust laws, along with Microsoft.
Also, Linux doesn't try to baby anyone. Linux does as you say. Other OSes like to try and prevent the user from doing certain things. See Windows 10 S and literally every version of modern macOS at default settings. "oOpS tHiS aPp iS pOteNtIalLy uNwAntEd, dO yOu tRusT mOneY-cRazEd dOgs oVer gRaF?!"
You can have your app signed with a GPG key, so you don't need to pay anyone to let people know your app is secure, unlike what Apple does. The "notarization" thing is an excuse to gradually make sideloading a thing of the past on Crapple devices. Apple has been caught blatantly lying about sideloading.
It's about time we become tech-savvy again. And by "we", I mean the average person. We can't afford to have pretty much zombie computer users, for humanity's sake. Why? Just how one sick human infects another, one infected PC infects an entire insecure network. (see WannaCry) That 8 y/o child trying to download "fReE mInECrAft" shouldn't even be allowed on the thing. Then the bad part happens: Companies start taking this to their advantage. Here's an example.
A story that is not real:
Spoiler:
--- * before a character name means thinking:
A mom: Sonny boy, I've heard you're good with computers and my PC is slow, can you fix it?
Son: Sure, do you mind me formatting the entire thing?
Mom: No, nothing of value is on there.
Son: How about I put Linux on the thing? It's much faster, and secure!
Mom: I guess?
Son: OK.
--- 30 minutes later:
Son: It's done!
Mom: OK this feels a bit weird, uhh how do I download Chrome.
*Son: She won't like using the terminal, I think downloading a software store is a better idea, I could compare it to a phone's App Store.
Son: Hold on I'll need to install a GUI for the app repositories.
Mom: What's a GUI?
Son: Graphical User Interface. You know, like literally every app ever.
Mom: I don't really care, I just want it to work.
Son: Done! Now you can just search "Google Chrome" and press install!
Mom: That sounds easy.
*clicks install.
Mom: WHAT DID YOU SET AS THE PASSWORD?
Son: I just set it to 1234 for now, you can change it easily.
Mom: OK to install an app it wants a password. You were right about it being secure!
Son: Now we can just download an "Account Manager".
Mom: I think this "Linux" thing is growing on me is it?
--- after a few days:
Mom: Sonny boy, how do I print? It used to just work back when this computer ran, whatsitcalled? Windows... 8.1?
Son: That'll be easy.
Mom: Is it downloading "HP Printer Software" from their website?
Son: No. I'll handle it.
* installs CUPS, installs HPLIP, installs the right HP printer drivers, adds the printer.
--- 1 hour later:
Son: Done!
Mom: It's not working!
Son: OOPS! I forgot to make the printer have a static IP, that'll be quick.
-- 10 minutes later:
Son: Now it should work for real this time!
Mom: Everything just worked on, this "Linux" is weird. Why can't you just use Windows?
Son: You complained about Windows' slowness, you need to separate "Windows" from the "PC".
Mom: That makes sense I guess. Just like how Macs don't run Windows.
Linux isn't that hard, It's not like you HAVE to use Arch or Gentoo. Also, it's like moving into a new house. At first you're gonna bump into a wall thinking it was the bathroom door, but then you adjust soon enough. At least change your user agent to Linux, it'll make it seem bigger at least.
What is hard is tolerating the bull$h!t M$ and Cr@pple do.
Missionary rants like this really do not help making Linux more palatable to the average consumer.
I guess most people rather deal with Microsoft's or Apple's shenanigans than with that toxic attitude that runs rampant throughout the Linux community.
Prof Hastig wrote:
I guess most people rather deal with Microsoft's or Apple's shenanigans than with that toxic attitude that runs rampant throughout the Linux community.
Only because they don't know. If everyone knew protests would start immediately.
Clearly, nudging doesn't work sometimes. I've issued a warning - respect people's choices for their operating systems, you do not know their situation or why they are on that OS, and no matter how much you disagree with it, it does not give you the right to push it as if there is no other option available to them.
People come here for help to get things working, not to be handed pamphlets about "Our Lord And Saviour, Tux The Penguin".
I'm just stating facts here, I never said that Windows and macOS have absolutely no purpose, if anything, I use Windows sometimes. If OP cannot upgrade their Mac to a recent version of macOS, then Linux is an option. That pretty much sums up what I said.
An opinion which is based on solid facts. Windows tracks you, Linux doesn't. (unless your distro of choice is Deepin)
If you don't want to use Linux that's fine, I can't and won't force you.
EDIT: All I'm saying is that it's an option that can be ignored if you wish, but it'd be wise to at least try it if you don't want to/feel like shelling out money for a new Mac if you can't upgrade.
Rachael wrote: ↑Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:46 am
People come here for help to get things working, not to be handed pamphlets about "Our Lord And Saviour, Tux The Penguin".
As they say, one person's saviour is the next person's devil in disguise.
