Worst mistake new Linux users make? (surely been done before; oh well)

[Dr.Ninethousand]

In my opinion it's probably that they install Linux and then immediately attempt to add WINE and their favorite windows-only apps, only to be frustrated because their favorite windows apps suck.. then they go around for the next few years bashing linux..

it could also be that they join #ubuntu IRC and then call me a jackass for helping them without actually driving to their house and typing the commands for them.. I DON'T GET PAID YOU LAZY RETARDED JERKS!!


what do you guys think is the worst mistake?.

[LaRoza]

Everyone makes mistakes, and Linux isn't for everyone (just for most people), but I think the worst thing that can be done is to blame Linux for your own mistakes.

Documentation, tutorials, etc all exist for a reason.

[ibutho]

One of the worst mistakes many people make is assuming that Linux is like Windows and not appreciating that there is a big learning curve for any new OS. It really annoys me because some want everything to be like Windows and blame Linux for being different. You may as well stick with Windows.

[speedwell68]

Ok, in two and a half years of using Linux, I have installed Wine once. Then it was only because I found my old copy of Quake III Arena. The only hint of Windows on my PC is the MS Core Fonts, as I still have to interface with people in the real world and sometimes the availability of fonts like Arial and Times New Roman is useful, as people like customers are wanting the use of these fonts.

To totally slate a industry wide product like Windows is frankly ridiculous. As is the use of it's apps. Whereas I don't personally use any Windows apps, but I like the fact that I have the choice of using the if I need to. Linux is about freedom of choice, if people don't like that freedom then perhaps Windows is the OS for them.

[Catalyst2Death]

the second or third thing I tell people about linux is that in order to get simple tasks done (music, web browsing, etc) it will work out of the box. But to completely utilize the hardware they have, it will require considerable tinkering and work... I agree with the OP's assessment, That was my first experience with linux (except that I didn't even get to wine) and I ended up switching back to windows. Second run at things was generally better (I have essentially moved away from windows completely)

[Dr.Ninethousand]

oh, speedwell, it's not that I think WINE has no place ever, but I think it's a big problem when new users try to install and use it before they even know what 'terminal' means..

[speedwell68]

oh, speedwell, it's not that I think WINE has no place ever, but I think it's a big problem when new users try to install and use it before they even know what 'terminal' means..

Why is that a problem. When I first used Linux I was 100% sure of the terminal. I was 100% fluent in the old MS-DOS command line, just not the Linux one. It took me a little while to fully get to grips with my GUI of choice (GNOME) and then I tackled the command line. Not everyone is an IT guru and a new OS is a learning curve. People learn at different rates.

[LaRoza]

the second or third thing I tell people about linux is that in order to get simple tasks done (music, web browsing, etc) it will work out of the box. But to completely utilize the hardware they have, it will require considerable tinkering and work... I agree with the OP's assessment, That was my first experience with linux (except that I didn't even get to wine) and I ended up switching back to windows. Second run at things was generally better (I have essentially moved away from windows completely)

Actually, more hardware works out of the box in Linux. My webcam, printer, graphics, and other usb devices work perfectly in Linux and Windows still complains about them.

[dominiquec]

Worst mistake: giving up so quickly.

[YaroMan86]

I don't agree that installing WINE is the biggest mistake.

I have to side with the "Linux is NOT Windows" crowd here and say.... Linux is NOT Windows.

Thus, the biggest mistake I have seen new Linux users make, of course, is the aforementioned comparison of Linux to Windows, which to me is a foolhardy approach.

I've been talked down numerous times on Ubuntu Brainstorm, though, for slapping down ideas that are "Make Linux like Windows" suggestions, in essence. Some of them I can get behind if I think that Linux can't manage a better way, which is a rarity for Linux NOT to manage to do thing better than Windows.

My philosophy is anyone who says things like these:

- "I got rid of Linux and went back to (Windows/Mac) because it just isn't LIKE (Windows/Mac)."
- "Can someone PLEASE include (Horrible Windows/Mac Feature) in Linux?"
- "Can we get rid of (Linux Feature)? I've used (Windows/Mac Feature) and I think it is much, much better."

Now, I can understand some things that are "borrowed" from Windows or Mac ARE good, Compiz Fusion being an example, but the reason I appreciate them is, one, they are GOOD features, and, two, frequently the Linux "borrowed" feature is technically superior to the feature it was cloned from!

Compiz Fusion, even in a "beta" state, for example, is much more awesome than Quartz or (Shudder) Aero.

I'm also not forgetting that Linux is really comprised of borrowed philosophies: Free Software, UNIX operations, unified file systems, etc. But there are things that are wholly Linux.