this post was submitted on 06 Jan 2024
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Provide out-of-box ease of use on everyday devices operated by low-skilled users.
I mean, Linux technically could, but the incentive to push for this is not nearly as high as the commercial incentives of providing this experience using Windows. So unfortunately it currently can't.
This is something that too many people don't understand.
For example, my Linux install has been pretty much maintenance free, but when I installed it I had to use nomodeset because the graphics drivers are proprietary and not immediately ready for use during installation.
For a low skill user, you have already lost. Even that small barrier is enough to deter your laymen.
Low skill users will use what comes installed on their machine, so installation quirks like that are not relevant for them. They don't install Windows either.
Exactly. And if weβre comparing Windows to Linux, most distros provide way better installers than the one Windows has.
What do you mean by installation quirk? Having a GPU and needing a driver?
That seems pretty common to me. I also know people interested in PC gaming who are also low skill and I certainly wouldn't recommend Linux to them (only exception being the Steam Deck).
More like to them its either 'does work' or 'doesnt work'. If they ever had a running system they'd most likely never change anything and end up breaking the gpu driver.
For the most part I'd say installers succeed automatically installing drivers too (or are preinstalled in the laptop case)