this post was submitted on 16 Aug 2024
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Linux
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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I built an entire theatre using Linux. Architect was on autocad, that was alright, but engineering was on vectorworks & there I had to ask for .dxf exports.
Qlab (macos) is 100% a no-go, I actually own a macbook just for this piece of software.
Isadora runs on wine, but video play is problematic. Isadora is a video mapper/VJ/mixing software.
Of the big three of lighting console software, only Chamsys' MagicQ runs on Linux. Infuriating when you know Grand MA consoles are linux-based. ETC? Don't ask.
It's niche (how about Enttec or DMXKing interfaces configurator?) but it's my niche. I survive doing things differently, and, yes, owning a dual-boot AsahiLinux/MacOS device.
Not sure if when people say you can “do everything that windows does”, they should be interpreted to mean "every single piece of software/drivers ever written for windows was also written for linux".
When you work in an industry where the entire collaborative workflow of everyone is based on software that doesn't run on Linux, then not running that software is equal to not being able to work in that industry.
Yes, you can mix music on Linux PC's. No, you can't run a concert venue on Linux PC's.
Believe me, my team and I have tried. And we yell "fuck this proprietary shit" on a regular basis. But we're still forced to use it.
But I run a summer festival on linux!
Our media servers are W7 (!) but I access them with VNC. And lots of screens/beamers here are on PI computers.
...then of course we need a windows laptop for the wireless mics, for the FoH configuration, the videowall, stuff like that. Mails and docs are google anyway, remote access is teamviewer.
I can't run it all on linux, even if I sit at a linux computer the most.
yeah same here.
Instead of VNC can I recommend running xRDP ?
VNC over SSH is secure, but VNC over network is inherently insecure and exposes plaintext passwords.
there's no denying that's true, though ofc it has alot to do with microsofts very agreessive and anti-competitive practices.
though its all a bit tangential, the main issue i think comes down to what someone means when they say "everything". certainly if someone said "you can do everything", i'd expect them to qualify what is (should be) obviously a slight exaggeration as parlance. they don't literally mean "everything" they just mean most everyday things. i think its fairly common in everyday speech for someone to be able to work out thats what they meant.
in the few rare cases when someone literally means absolutely everything, then yes that silly statement would be incorrect. and if strictly intended with that meaning would certainly qualify as misinformation.
Currently there are three things that stop me from going Linux and two of those are purely software related (the third is that I don’t want to hate my work software anymore than I currently do). Is it vital software in the sense of it allowing me to work or bring me income? No. Is it something I wish to just use without fiddling after every update because I use them for fun? Absolutely yes.
This reminds me of that author who said Python 3 is not turing complete. People were taking the quote out of context but the post was still ridiculous so I don't blame them for not cutting them slack.
Using this definition then Windows can't do everything Linux does either, and MaOS can't do everything Windows and Linux can do.
I don't think people use that phrase to mean "all Windows software is compatible with Linux".
Interesting point, but when people want to switch, and they hear Linux can do everything that windows can, they will think that everything they can do on windows can be done on Linux. To make everyone happy, Linux must be a superset. That's a tough ask.
Another thing Linux can't do: Run all hardware on many new computers.
Not that much of a problem, just buy different hardware or wait - they'll address the works. But if someone just bought fancy new hardware, and wants to put Linux on it, there is a decent chance of running into sore spots, or of Linux not booting at all.
That said, it would be pretty clear to say "Linux can't do everything windows can, and windows can't do everything Linux can. But for most cases, there's enough overlap that you'll be happy on Linux."
Edit: wording, additional stuff
Windows doesn't support running on a Raspberry Pi Zero or an M3 mac. And can't run a lot of the software that Linux runs. If you want to run Windows you just have to buy different hardware...
Usually the phrasing is something like "you can accomplish the same things on Linux that you can on Windows." Meaning "yes, you can use a web browser, edit photos, use email, etc." Many people have no idea what an operating system is and what it means to use a different one.
Are you telling someone what they need to do to get windows, converting from Linux?
I made it clear they support different things, even though there's significant overlap - and that means some of what Windows supports, Linux doesn't, which is critical info if you're switching from Windows to Linux. If someone were asking he reverse, I would likely tell them the reverse (if, for example, they were used to running a pi).