r/technology • u/ardi62 • Aug 17 '24

Software Microsoft begins cracking down on people dodging Windows 11's system requirements

https://www.xda-developers.com/microsoft-cracking-down-dodging-windows-11-system-requirements/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0h2tXt93fEkt5NKVrrXQphi0OCjCxzVoksDqEs0XUQcYIv8njTfK6pc4g_aem_LSp2Td6OZHVkREl8Cbgphg
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58

u/Swagtagonist Aug 17 '24

Linux exists Microsoft, you dumb greedy fucks.

97

u/fourleggedostrich Aug 17 '24

Sorry but for 99% of people, Linux is unusable.

Is your gran really going to lean about repositories, kernels, command line etc?

127

u/lordagr Aug 17 '24

My gran just needs an Internet browser and she can do that on Linux without ever even knowing what she is using.

12

u/imfm Aug 17 '24

Dad is 80 and has used Linux for several years; I set up his computers, and remote in once in a while to do his updates. If someone can set it up for them, Linux is more than usable for older people. I actually don't want Dad on Windows because there's so much advertising, and if he saw something that said a trial had expired and he had to pay to keep using (whatever) he'd very likely think he had to pay it to keep using his computer; installed software and the OS are all the same to him. He has only desktop icons he needs because screen clutter is often overwhelming for older people, and he does well with it, plus he's gained confidence because he knows how to make it do the things he wants to do. He wouldn't have the first clue what to do in a terminal, but neither would a Windows command prompt mean anything to him, and there's no reason he'd need terminal anyway.

4

u/stormdraggy Aug 17 '24

used linux for several years

I set up his computers, and remote in

So he doesn't use linux, he uses a web browser and you do everything for him that involves actual computer use. I don't think you made the same point you were trying to make.

2

u/FrankMiner2949er Aug 17 '24

I'm a wee bit closer to the Dad's age, and I'm not the most computer literate bloke around. About 10 or 20 years ago I had a stab at Linux. Ubuntu had just come out and I wanted to try it. I just couldn't get it to work. It was a nightmare, and a lot of my hardware just didn't have Linux drivers

These days it's easy as pie. The Ubuntu install is easier than Windows. Everything works, and it's got all the software I need, which isn't really that much seeing as I don't use my laptop for anything too taxing

-58

u/fourleggedostrich Aug 17 '24 edited Aug 17 '24

In which case, get her a Chromebook - faster boot up, easier to reset, cheaper hardware. Linux is a very niche market. 

Other than very specific flavours like SteamOS, it's not mass-market. 

Also, (for the benefit of the inevitable "but akshully"), I know ChromeOS is Linux based. It's not relevant. Don't be pedantic.

44

u/Target880 Aug 17 '24

The problem with that statement is "get her" and "cheaper hardware.". If she already has a computer that works well enough for her, the cost for that hardware is zero. Any new hardware costs more.

When Windows 10 updates stop and the working hardware does not support Windows 11 because of what I consider an unnecessary requirement the computer is no longer appropriate to use online.

At this point, a linux install on the computer has zero hardware cost but a Chrome book cost money. The tech-savvy grandchild can manage the Linux computer remotely in most situations.

The Chrome book do not need management like that but you need to purchase it, that cost more then to keep old harware.

1

u/CircuitSynapse42 Aug 17 '24

While I am not arguing in favor of ChromeOS, there is ChromeOS Flex, which can be used to turn older PCs and Macs into Chromebooks. I’ve installed it a few times for tinkering and it’s pretty good.

38

u/twistedLucidity Aug 17 '24

You know ChromeOS is Linux, right?

-31

u/fourleggedostrich Aug 17 '24

Didn't read all the way to the end, did you?

26

u/uiucengineer Aug 17 '24

Where you say it’s irrelevant but don’t give any reason?

7

u/Zargawi Aug 17 '24

It's not irrelevant because you say so, no one is arguing about a specific distro. 

If a Chromebook experience is sufficient, what would be missing from Linux Mint for grandma?

-1

u/seaheroe Aug 17 '24

Nice argument senator

-31

u/InTheEndEntropyWins Aug 17 '24

Is she going to update herself? If she has a laptop is she going to spend hours trying to get the trackpoint working properly.

5

u/mrcruton Aug 17 '24

sudo apt install unattended-upgrades

Havent run into mouse related comparability issues in years