There are PC sellers who sell Linux Desktops! System 76 is a USA example of a retailer who does sell PCs with Pop_OS or Ubuntu preinstalled. It does hurt to not have these PCs available in big box stores like Walmart or Best Buy. As that would make Linux visible and readily accessible to a potential buyer.

Anything Apple is likely going to be the thing most people move to. As everything, they’ll need is either pre-installed or able to be found on the respective storefront. I personally want Linux to come into it’s high popularity era. However, the realistic option is an Apple product which suits a person’s needs. I am getting a Mac Mini just for the proprietary stuff I need to manage my iPhone, as it wouldn’t work on Linux.

Yeah, accessibility on Linux (depending on the distro) is a varied experience. For those with visual or hearing issues, there are distros that are far friendlier to those users. It can also be tricky to troubleshoot if you don’t have a certain baseline of knowledge or know where to look. I have the ability to quickly find information that helps me troubleshoot any issues which have cropped up; still an average user, however, who can follow instructions fairly well.

The image of Linux and its distros seems like a daunting one; public perception has been warped to believe Linux is purely for programmers or high skill level nerds. Another issue that Linux suffers from is installation, since PCs that have Windows installed by default are so ubiquitous, and it seems like a complex task. There is also the issue of UEFI that is turned on by default in BIOS, which will prevent another OS from being installed (unless one knows how to get into BIOS and turn it off first). That’s becoming less of an issue with PC sellers who install Linux by default and offer tech support for purchases made from them! They sell hardware configurations known to work with Linux, leading to fewer issues. They even have custom distros that they actively develop and contribute their code upstream to Linux as well. Software support is mostly better, but it isn’t fully there yet to the point I could recommend Linux to any of my friends who aren’t skilled technically. The Steam Deck made Linux Gaming better by existing, but the availability of games is still lacking in comparison to Windows. Windows being the default means more Game Devs target that OS over Linux.

It can be a nightmare; I know my return to Linux wasn’t a walk in the park as I learned early on certain changes made Ubuntu feel daunting. However, I was able to overcome it through a combination of Canonical patching broken code and implementing solutions sourced from the Ubuntu Community at large. Unfortunately, the out of box experience varies too much for most people to actively use. Linux is not like Windows, which is mostly stable and can be installed on most machines that meet its requirements. Until distros can reach that level of polish through reverse engineering and forming partnerships with hardware companies who create firmware; the barriers to entry will remain numerous.

Still a non-starter for me. The fact Microsoft had the gall to implement the worst version of Timeline possible means the trust is severed completely. Co-Pilot being the first affront, given that one cannot even opt-out of its presence easily on Windows Home Edition or at all on Edge and Bing. Recall is absolutely the last straw for me, it’s a privacy nightmare, malicious users with physical access can still do a lot of harm. An ethical hacker proved how much can be done with the feature installed. Microsoft needs to be reigned in before it gets far worse than this.

I installed Ubuntu, after doing some relearning and troubleshooting, I am happily using a Linux Distro again. If Linux distros can become better, removing a lot of the barriers to entry for average people, it would go a long way to slap Microsoft in the face. Making them feel nervous about losing a ton of market share due to their dangerous antics.

A lot of the ‘ads’ can be turned off with a toggle or two, it’s wild that people are losing their minds over this. Microsoft is shitty for making the call, but it’s an avoidable thing which doesn’t warrant this level of reaction.

People with this level of energy should be complaining about the online search not being a user facing option to turn off easily in Windows Home edition!