So I moved to Linux

[maxoakland]

The beauty of Linux is its configurability: there are ways in most desktop environments to enable a global menu, if they don't have it out of the box.

Have any guides? This is one thing I’ve been looking for

 

[Steve Adams]

I can’t move from Windows either. Specific software packages and AA games. As much as some of the decisions with windows annoy me the negatives from moving far outweigh the positives. However I’ve been running an Ubuntu VM for quite a while.

Their policies match their marketing.

False. What you are seeing is situational bias.

Industry metrics disagree, but I have no doubt where you are, this is what you are seeing.

So out of billions of users, your wife’s iPhone had an issue and then a broad stroked generalization is made. For me won’t go to android, I can’t see an upside that makes my smartphone life better. But YMMV.

The hackers gain access via a hack of the Sim. now with Esim it's even worse as they can do the same hack but you can't swap sims easily so it's on an upswing with apple now. Most all android devices have physical sims still. So, it could be claimed your views are situational as well.

 

[I7guy]

The hackers gain access via a hack of the Sim. now with Esim it's even worse as they can do the same hack but you can't swap sims easily so it's on an upswing with apple now. Most all android devices have physical sims still. So, it could be claimed your views are situational as well.

Sim attacks aren’t even up there with the top being phishing and social engineering. So clearly you are experiencing situational bias when it comes to common types of malware.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Sim attacks aren’t even up there with the top being phishing and social engineering.

You are correct!

It should be noted that the locked down Apple iOS App Store model doesn't help one iota here either.

I honestly could make a case that it hurts, as it can create a lot of not so vigilant consumers who are trusting, less skeptical and even easier to dupe.

 

[Luuthian]

If you’ve made the exit to Linux, and its working well for you, then great. I’ve considered the same many, many, many, times. If I was single again I would pull that trigger. However, once I was married, and then had a family, that all went out the window. There’s too many aspects of the Apple ecosystem that make sharing and keeping organized among family incredibly easy. I will happily pay for that convenience at this point given the time and headache it has saved.

But still, one day I’d like a little side PC just for myself… one day 😂

 

[Steve Adams]

Sim attacks aren’t even up there with the top being phishing and social engineering. So clearly you are experiencing situational bias when it comes to common types of malware.

I am using my EXPERIENCE with all devices at my workplace right now where I deal with this crap all day. Regardless. Sim attack, malware...etc it should not happen. anyhoo. enjoy your stuff, i will mine.

 

[atarixle]

Just flew over some posts here, but I want to share some of my opinions about Linux and Linux on a Mac.

Since the Mac has a wide fanbase, you easily can use old Macs and old versions of Mac OS X still today. And unlike some users advise, you can do it safely. Just know that you're not as overprotected as in newer versions of macOS, where xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine is a daily used tool.

Linux is a good choice for collectors like me who aren't willing to spend a fee for an essential part of any computer: the Operating System.
Linux is also a good choice, especially for Macs with Intel GPUs, to run a modern and secure operating system which - just like macOS - mostly runs out-of-the-box.
Linux is free, which makes it a no-brainer to at least test it out!

What Linux is not:
Linux is not for serious business unless software-manufactors hop on the Linux train.
Linux does not offer a standard-GUI like the current macOS of its time, or Windows for the long terms.

When you don't need macOS and Windows anymore:
Day-to-day-usecases like Webbrowsing, and E-Mail, writing some texts, draw or manipulate some pictures.
Use Linux on your private PC, your new PC, safe the money, keep older Intel-Macs running once the last OCLP-supported OS is outdated, keep older ARM-Macs running once the 2020 M1 loses support.
Use emulators for Retro-Gaming on Linux.
Use Steam on Linux for gaming, Steam offers official support for many many Windows-Games on Linux!

On the other hand:
Stay on your activated Windows XP on an old 32 Bit Laptop or PC, the newest Linux wont support your old Nvidia-GPU anymore. There is no turning back, because XP cannot be activated anymore.
The newest Linux at some point will be too heavy for your old Pentium or Intel Core Duo.
Keep those computers away from the internet - and if not, the world wont go down from that because all secure-mechanisms are too old to make connections to the modern web or modern malware. Just don't download all crap you get offered.
If you use iCloud heavily and get benefits from the Apple ecosystem, stay on Mac - it is the better product compared to Windows. But if you feel "locked in" to the Apple ecosystem, at least try to break out. I created my very own cloud (self created web-apps), but NextCloud could be your new ecosystem.

Linux is nice, Linux is capable of being the daily driver on your main computer, Linux is a system for the average end-user.

 

[capamac]

Yeah. People say "linux is too hard" but I disagree. Because look at the Microsoft DOS era of the 1980s and 1990s. People used DOS just fine then. People edited config.sys and autoexec.bat files. Set hardware jumpers.

If average people could do that in the MS-DOS era, they can also accomplish tasks of similar computing complexity on Linux if need be.

 

[Steve Adams]

Yeah. People say "linux is too hard" but I disagree. Because look at the Microsoft DOS era of the 1980s and 1990s. People used DOS just fine then. People edited config.sys and autoexec.bat files. Set hardware jumpers.

If average people could do that in the MS-DOS era, they can also accomplish tasks of similar computing complexity on Linux if need be.

OMG hardware jumpers. ha ha. The good old days!

 

[rensuchan]

Have any guides? This is one thing I’ve been looking for

I know people have mixed feelings about AI, but AI has been extremely useful for me when it comes to changing / configuring things in Linux recently. I have the best luck in general with technical things using Claude or Gemini. Linux is so broad that there's packages I didn't know existed that have helped me immensely in setting up a dual booting Legion Go and tapping into AI taught me about some of those.

AI also helped me so I can just use Yubikeys to unlock / sudo in my CachyOS instance, configure Windows mouse cursors to customize my Linux instance, and other various little customizations I wanted to do to make it work exactly how i wanted.

I think there's never been a better time than now to experiment with Linux and it will likely just get better moving forward.

 

[I7guy]

I am using my EXPERIENCE with all devices at my workplace right now where I deal with this crap all day. Regardless. Sim attack, malware...etc it should not happen. anyhoo. enjoy your stuff, i will mine.

When you implicate the iPhone with more malware then android you are incorrect. Maybe the iPhone has more eSIM attacks but less sim attacks. Conversely android has more sim attacks and less eSIM attacks.

 

[maflynn]

When you implicate the iPhone with more malware then android you are incorrect.

Android has a malware problem, whether we're talking about malware in their app store, or people side loading questionable apps and the wonder why their information is stolen.

Apple has a very good track record with their walled garden and focus on security and privacy.

 

[Und Eser]

I think Linux is a brilliant concept that makes computer technology available to absolutely anyone with even the most basic hardware and internet access.

What you can do with a good Linux distro for free over against Windows and MacOS and how they make it all work on a minimum of system resources is a real eye-opener.

I went from Windows to Linux (including Arch btw😛) to MacOS and have just renewed and upgraded my iPhone contract to full works which includes Apple One, so guess I'm sticking with the ecosystem for at least the next 24 months. Thing is, for all the moaning many of us do about Apple (and rightly so) I've never had a black/blue whatever screen or had to reinstall the OS since I got my MBP 14" M1. Had one or two apps go a bit weird but that's what being on developer betas gets me.

Then there's the audio quality from the speakers (beyond surprising bass from such small drivers) and the 3.5mm headphone out. Had a comparatively huge MSI gaming laptop with a built-in sub that wasn't even close.

Still on Linux for my Raspberry Pi TV computer though...

 

[jsavvy]

What Linux is not:
Linux is not for serious business unless software-manufactors hop on the Linux train.
Linux does not offer a standard-GUI like the current macOS of its time, or Windows for the long terms.

I disagree on both of these.

I use a Linux desktop (as opposed to server) full time for my job as a full stack developer. My company uses Microsoft 365 and Oracle software. I have no problem using this for serious business use. Many developers use Linux for serious business.

As for not having a standard GUI - most distros have selected a standard desktop shell that doesn’t change any more than the Windows or macOS. I guess the catch here is that you have to find the one you prefer.

Otherwise, I appreciate everything else you’ve stated.

 

[Luftkopf]

You are correct!

It should be noted that the locked down Apple iOS App Store model doesn't help one iota here either.

I honestly could make a case that it hurts, as it can create a lot of not so vigilant consumers who are trusting, less skeptical and even easier to dupe.

Even though I am strongly in favour of the Walled Garden approach, I have to admit that you’re right here, enabling more complacent users is one of the downsides.

Yeah. People say "linux is too hard" but I disagree. Because look at the Microsoft DOS era of the 1980s and 1990s. People used DOS just fine then. People edited config.sys and autoexec.bat files. Set hardware jumpers.

If average people could do that in the MS-DOS era, they can also accomplish tasks of similar computing complexity on Linux if need be.

I remember that era, I had tons of fun with it. Doesn’t mean I want to go back to it!

I also remember buggering around with Linux when I was studying IT, and how quickly I abandoned it when I discovered the joy of OS X. An OS that let me use the computer to do things rather than an OS that let me play with an OS.

I started switching to Mac 20 years ago, and I still have a Windows PC. Sure, it’s not plugged in, and would take a bit to get set back up again if I really wanted to use it, but it’s there. I deleted my Linux partition within months of getting my first G4 Mac.

If something forced me to, I could run Linux. I’ve done it before, it’s no big deal to update my knowledge again. However I enjoying not having to.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Even though I am strongly in favour of the Walled Garden approach, I have to admit that you’re right here, enabling more complacent users is one of the downsides.

Yeah, it creates an environment where many users don’t even think about safety to a degree that puts them at higher risk.

There’s no free lunch on these topics.

 

[popup]

Not a gamer, not an artist, not an IT professional. Just a curious home user. I love salvaging old hardware and find the best OS for it (be it a Linux distro, a BSD flavour or a Windows version) that suits the hardware. Find the best apps that work on that hardware + OS + usage combo and give it away if I find someone needing a computer and willing to sacrifice some comfort . The last year I gave a Lenovo Thinkcentre with a Core 2 Duo CPU and 4GB of RAM to a colleague. I installed Mint with XFCE and Firefox + uBlock Origin. He uses it to do some paperwork when needed and for browsing. He's never used Linux before and was sceptical about using it without comand line knowlege, but then he was ammused how easy it was for him to use it. And without adds 🙂
I started tinkering with Linux more than 20 ago. Was a distro hopper and tried hundreds of distributions. Then 6 years ago I settled on Debian Stable. My preffered distro was Slackware but with the years I got lazy 🙂 Also I tried all the BSD-s. For my daily use (web browsing, email, documents editing, some shell scripting, playing some music, playing some videos) Debian is more than enough. With a nVidia RTX2080 card. No issues at all. Stable and predictable.
I have an 14" M1 MBP in a drawer. No one in my house wants to use it. Also I have a M4 Pro 24GB mini on my desk and have not powered it in maybe 2 months. It is an amazingly silent machine but I prefer the freedom of Linux. Neither this lovely tiny machine is the object of someone's wishes. So it collects dust on my desk 🙂
I have to admit that without being extremly cautous I am too hesitant about any subscription and I am too privacy concerned.

 

[MysticTalisman]

Even with all my love for Macs I have never relied on iCloud, but used a linux box to host my files, contacts, calendars, reminders, etc. This gives me unlimited space and freedom.

I wanted to go back to your earlier post. For people wanting to do the same thing if would be really helpful if you could give more detail about the software and setup you use to host files, contacts, calendars, reminders, etc on your linux box. Thanks.

 

[ignatius345]

I understand in principle, but honestly a lot of this sounds like SUCH a lot of work. Call me a sheep if you must, but Apple's stuff largely works seamlessly and efficiently for me. The price I'm paying is lock-in, but I'm aware of that and accept it willingly ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[maflynn]

Call me a sheep if you must, but Apple's stuff largely works

You're not a sheep for doing that, at the end of the day a computer is a tool, or a device to play games. For some people, playing with computers, tinkering, modifying, adjusting is their hobby and that's fine, but for most of is, we use them to accomplish something. Macs are great for just working.

 

[atarixle]

Let me add: Macs are good hardware too. I am typing this on my now 20 years old MacBook1,1.

 

[The Clark]

If it's not macOS paired with Apple hardware, I find the user experience to be inherently inferior. As a cybersecurity analyst with extensive experience in both break/fix and enterprise IT, I have yet to encounter a more polished and efficient computing environment than what Apple provides. It isn't perfect, but it remains the most cohesive ecosystem available.

I use Kali Linux and ParrotOS professionally for offensive security work, and while I spent a lot of time experimenting with various Linux distributions around 2015-2017, those experiences usually involved persistent frustrations--such as unreliable Bluetooth connectivity, display scaling issues, and general performance inconsistencies.

I can acknowledge that developers have made significant strides in making distros like Linux Mint beginner friendly to the point where the command line is rarely necessary, the reality persists: if you use Linux long enough, you will eventually be forced to interface with the terminal to resolve a deep seated issue. For me, that's a non issue and I prefer bash (zsh) for most tasks but for the lay person, who doesn't even understand WHY the terminal exists, it's a deal breaker.

I hope the switch works well for you, because I know for many it does not.

 

[Skwoodge]

Having read the OP I can't imagine anything worse 🤣



Precisely. And it's so much effort to achieve some kind of victory that seems built on so much mental gymnastics, at the expense of so many compromises and so much time wasted.

Even his friend could have bought a MacBook Neo or any second hand Apple silicon Mac that would have been price competitive. And wouldn't have put them through a whole bunch of nonsense changing platforms.

Just think of all the time wasted by Linux evangelists tricking the normal people in their lives into this sort of thing.

Yeah ... I don't see the point. I'd soon rather use Windows again than attempt to use Linux. I don't mind Linux, but it's the sheer lack of unsupported or nonexistent/comparable software available that keeps me from ever switching for any reason.

 

[jsavvy]

I wanted to go back to your earlier post. For people wanting to do the same thing if would be really helpful if you could give more detail about the software and setup you use to host files, contacts, calendars, reminders, etc on your linux box. Thanks.

Sure. I used to run my own calDav (calendar), cardDav (contacts), and WebDAV (files) servers. But once owncloud and now Nextcloud came out, I’ve used their server to self host. Nextcloud does file hosting, sharing, and syncing. It also has the calendar, contacts, and reminders server all in the same setup. You don’t need a Linux box to run it, but I use Linux because I also do other server functions.

This allows me to sync my phone, tablet, and computers with my own server for contacts, calendars and reminders. And once iOS added the folders app, I’ve been able to use the files functions even in iOS. It has been a replacement for iCloud for me.

For those who want more privacy, to learn, or are just looking to be less reliant on a company, I’d say give it a shot.

 

[jsavvy]

Yeah ... I don't see the point. I'd soon rather use Windows again than attempt to use Linux. I don't mind Linux, but it's the sheer lack of unsupported or nonexistent/comparable software available that keeps me from ever switching for any reason.

What software are you wanting that is missing or unsupported?