Linux sucks collection

Since I’m an addicted GNU/Linux user I tend to use it too much, and I often end up frustrated when I got stuck with even the simple task and every time I found again and again how idiotic is the interface and how usability sucks, and I realize that not, this year will not be the GNU/Linux on desktop year.

When I say that GNU/Linux sucks I mainly intend that it sucks from the usability point of view (well, when there are not stability problems or compilation problems due to badly designed build system, yes I’m talking of you darn auto*).

While I’m in general a strong supporter of free software I believe it is useful to read the critics (some costructive and really useful, other sarcastic and destructive but generally enjoyable, especially the jwz one).

As a community, the GNU/Linux FLOSS users have been convinced (especially in the first part of the 2000-2010 decade) that GNU/Linux was steadily pacing towards world domination in the desktop market. That never happened and now we’re wondering why that didn’t happen and what we did wrong (and which are the structural problem inherent to the massification of free software).

Here it is my Linux-sucks list.

UNIX Hater’s Handbook

The UNIX Hater’s Handook is a classic in the *N*X rant literature, although most of the concerns raised are plain obsolete, it’s yet an interesting reading and some of the points are still valid (e.g. read the chapter on C++ and X Windows): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_UNIX-HATERS_Handbook

And while at it also read the esr reply.

The Luxury of Ignorance: An Open-Source Horror Story

This essay by esr and its followup talks about the usability issue in GNU/Linux (specifically about the CUPS printing system), and how it can represent a serious challenge even for the most sophisticated hacker as esr himself. Note that I’m referencing this as this is mentioned in the article which is the subject of the next entry.

Ronco spray on usability

This blog post by John Gruber reconsider the esr article mentioned above, giving an interesting critic about the esr point of view. Usability is something which has to be though at the design level, which cannot be added as a second thought to the software but which is and must be connected to the intimate nature and structure of the software product. This is opposed to the tendency of hackers (thus: free software projects) where the usability is considered a second aspect and usually re-adjusted only in the mature phase of the project. Another important point raised is that usability is not meant to be considered something necessary only for the “end user/dumb user”. Considering the user dumb is just offensive (as usually is the software/designer which provides a “dumb” interface so she has to be blamed), also the usability problems, in spite of a misguided common place, affects also the most advanced users, as in the case of esr having problem with configuring his printing environment.
Resuming, “dumbing down” the interface is not the answer to any of the usability problems, making the interface more smart/intuitive/simple looks a more promising approach.

Linux Hater’s Blog

Then there is the Linux Hater’s Blog, which represents the more destructive and caustic part of the Linux ranters. Unfortunately I can’t find many instructive lessons to be read from here about how to fix it, I had to say that at least I got some hour of bitter fun by reading it.

ZDNET article: Why Linux still ‘sucks’

This article deal the issue from a technical point of view.
Many of these points are strong points in the Linux-sucks literature, in particolar lack of gaming support and scarce HW support.

JWZ articles about Linux usability

JWZ finally switched to Mac, but not before writing some articles related to Linux and Linux usability. Many of the points still applied (they’ve been write around 2000 if I’m not wrong). Especially sound in Linux is still a mess.
Some of the articles:

• mouthing off about linux
• linux usability
• fuck the skull of alsa
• that was, in fact, the final straw
• Wherein I whine about computers.

Note that while ALSA (and pulse) is still problematic at least, for what regards multimedia the situation is significantly improved.

Linux Sucks! Video from LinuxFest NW

In this talk Bryan Lunduke analyzes constructively the weak points of GNU/Linux and the free software development model, and suggestd some the possible way to address them (e.g. trying to foster donations and creating more appeal to the desktop market through gaming support). Another point is done about the unnecessary complexity which arises from the many different packaging systems and the need for a more consistent (and just working) audio system.

That’s all for now, feel free to comment or suggest more entries!