Not everything actually requires a GUI, obviously. But anything that requires configuration, especially for controlling a hardware device, should have a fully functional GUI. I know Linux is all about being in control, and users should not be afraid to use the command line, but if you have to learn another bespoke command syntax and the location and structure of the related configuration files just to get something basic to work then the developer has frankly half arsed it. Developers need to provide GUI’s so that their software can be used by as many people as possible. GUI’s use a common language that everyone understands (is something on or off, what numeric values are allowed, what do the options mean).

Every 12 to 18 months I make an effort to switch to Linux. Right now I’m using Archlinux, and it has been a successful trip so far, except my audio is screwed, I can’t use my capture card at all, I had issues with my dual displays at the start, and the is no easy way to configure my AMD graphics card for over clocking or well anything basic at all.

I’m not looking for a windows clone, I love that I can choose different desktop environments and theme many of them to death. I even like the fact there are so many distros. Choice is a big part of linux, but there is clearly a desire to get more people moving away from Windows and until that path is 95% seamless most people just won’t. Right now I think Linux is 75% to 85% seamless depending on the use case and distro but adding more GUI front ends would, imho, push that well into the 90% zone.

GUI is not a dirty word, it is what makes using a new OS possible for more people.

EDIT: Good conversation all. This is genuinely not intended to be a troll post, I just feel it is good to share experiences especially on the frustations that arise from move between OSes.

  • pjhenry1216@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    GUI doesn’t make things simpler except for people who can’t grasp the absolutely insane simplicity of CLI. It’s the underpinning of everything and makes everything work so much better. Automation and customization is made easier through CLI.

    GUIs hardly centralize anything. There’s no standard place to put settings in a GUI. And have you seen GUIs created by many dev-first folks? Devs should rarely be in charge of frontend stuff. Front end development is for front end developers. It’s a different class of individuals.

    Linux won’t catch on as long as new users are lazy. Every generation, that becomes more and more. I thought gen z would be better with PCs but they’re only familiar with iOS and Android it seems. No wonder a CLI is scary. They have no actual experience with how to use a computer.