Reasons to lose Debian (or any other movements, called "distributions", in the linux religion)
Thank you for considering using Debian to run down your machine. If you are convinced you should try Debian, consider the following:
It is maintained by its users.
If something needs to be fixed or improved, we just do it.
- It's 2019, we're still dropping to commandline for everything like we were in the time of the great UNIXaurs. There is no progress obviously.
Users shouldn't be maintaining an operating system! Maintainers/developers should be maintaining operating systems.
Users should use them. That's why they're called users! Get your terms straight.
Unparalleled support
Mail sent to the mailing lists often gets answers within 15 minutes (or less), for free, and by the people who developed it. Compare that to typical phone support: hours spent on the phone, for money, only to get someone who doesn't know the system well enough to even understand your question.
- Total nonsense. If you do get a reply (note: not answer!) within 15 minutes it'll be a showoff dazzling you with acronyms and geekslang. What you get is more questions. Also, searches on the internet are quite confusing. There will be 10^12 "experts" all saying something different. All copy commandline to HTML. None of these fucking bright Einsteins ever thought of copying these commands to a .sh file so you can just RUN it. Argument void.
You wouldn't be alone in your choice
A wide range of organizations and individuals use Debian. See our Who's Using Debian? page for a description of some high-profile sites which use Debian, and have chosen to submit a short description of how they use Debian and why.
- "Lots of people do it!". Lots of people smoke. Argument void, no further explanation needed.
The best packaging system in the world.
Tired of old files from software three versions old cluttering your system? Or installing a piece of software only to find it causes your system to crash because of software conflicts? Dpkg, Debian's endured packaging system, takes care of these issues for you.
- I have no idea what world you come from, but know of the dependency dance? It's total and utter crap. Argument void.
Easy installation
If you have heard that Debian is difficult to install, then you haven't tried Debian lately. We are constantly improving the installation process. You can do the installation directly from CD, DVD, Blu-ray, USB stick or even over the network.
- Ah! First occurrence of the "Linux:Easy". Would you want it on your pacemaker? You have 30 seconds to drop to commandline and get your heart beating buddy. Argument void.
And yes, I did try to install, I do so every decennium. Every time it snags somewhere. While developing your "easy" do you ever pull an infidel off the street and ask them to test it or do you select a couple of acolytes from your own church benches to test it?
Incredible amounts of software
Debian comes with over 59000 different pieces of software. Every bit of it is free. If you have proprietary software that runs under GNU/Linux or GNU/kFreeBSD, you can still use it - in fact, there may even be an installer in Debian that will automatically install and set up everything for you.
- All poor imitations of software developed by people who know what they do and get paid for it because they are good. A legion of "Just as good as..."-yellers does not make it so.
Photoshop is industry standard. GIMP is a fucker in a leather harness. Argument void.
Packages well integrated
Debian surpasses all other distributions in how well its packages are integrated. Since all software is packaged by a coherent group, not only can all packages be found at a single site, but you can be assured that we have already worked out all issues regarding complicated dependencies. While we feel that the deb format has some advantages over the rpm format, it is the integration between the packages that makes a Debian system more robust.
- Integrated in what? The general mess named linux? You can be sure installation will snag on something and you'll have to dredge the internet for hours to copy some commandline off some forum somewhere because nobody in the linuxworld can copy things to installers. The installer is you, the script is a website. Linux is your master. Bend over slave!
Source code
If you are a software developer, you will appreciate the fact that there are hundreds of development tools and languages, plus millions of lines of source code in the base system. All of the software in the main distribution meets the criteria of the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). This means that you can freely use this code to study from, or to incorporate into new free software projects. There are also plenty of tools and code suitable for use in proprietary projects.
- Nice story. Fuck source code. You're not interested in source code. You can't even read code. You just want to use a computer. Even most software developers are not interested in the inner workings of an operating system. They are interested in a working operating system. Argument void.
Easy upgrades
Due to our packaging system, upgrading to a new version of Debian is a snap. Just run apt-get update ; apt-get dist-upgrade (or aptitude update; aptitude dist-upgrade in newer releases) and you can upgrade from a CD in a matter of minutes or point apt at one of the over 300 Debian mirrors and upgrade over the net.
- Second occurrence of the "Linux:Easy". "Easy", you zealots, means "one click, it runs". Imagine you want to do anything QUICKLY, as in "time costs money". Does your "easy" still hold up? Other operating systems ask you if they should automatically check for updates and allows you to schedule them while you're away. Linux allows you to drop to the commandline... How gracious! Argument void.
Multiple architectures and kernels
Currently Debian supports an impressive number of CPU architectures: alpha, amd64, armel, hppa, i386, ia64, mips, mipsel, powerpc, s390, and sparc. It also runs on GNU Hurd and FreeBSD kernels besides Linux, and with the debootstrap utility you will be hard-pressed to find a device that can't run Debian.
- Technobabble dazzle. What this means that instead of the installer figuring out what kind of machine you have, you, slave, will have to determine this for Massa Computa. You as a user just want to use a computer. Not learn everything about 1964 operating systems and how hard some nerds get from a commandline prompt. Argument void.
Bug tracking system
Debian's bug tracking system is publicly available. We don't try to hide the fact that software doesn't always work the way users want. Users are encouraged to submit bug reports and are notified when and why the bug was closed. This system allows Debian to respond to problems quickly and honestly.
- Now this is very important. As linux is still about as finished as Star Citizen, bugs are frequent and... Well, you can report them. But if the flavour of the day is not your problem, you will be waiting until the sun goes red giant. The helpful community will ignore you and get really busy on the latest iteration of ifconfig... eh... I mean ip.
If you are not already a Debian user, you may also enjoy the following benefits:
Stability
There are many cases of machines that run for over a year without rebooting. Even then, they are only rebooted due to a power failure or a hardware upgrade. Compare that to other systems that crash multiple times a day.
- It can barely do anything. My Vista was also very stable when I turned off the computer. Argument void.
Fast and easy on memory
Other operating systems may be as fast in one or two areas, but being based on GNU/Linux or GNU/kFreeBSD, Debian is lean and mean. Windows software run from GNU/Linux using an emulator sometimes runs faster than when run in the native environment.
- COMPUTER memory that is. You can do fuck-all with it without loading your HUMAN memory with all kinds of archaic "spells". But then, this fits in the linux idea of who is Master. Don't you fucking DARE use the computer for what it was created. To do stupid repetitive jobs!
Drivers for most hardware is written by GNU/Linux / GNU/kFreeBSD users, not the manufacturer.
While this can mean delays before new hardware is supported and no support for some hardware, it enables support for hardware long after the manufacturer has stopped producing it or gone out of business. Experience has shown that Open Source drivers are usually much better than proprietary ones.
- Of course drivers written by Jack Arse are much better and more reliable than drivers written by the people who built the hardware. That goes without question. Linux people are better at everything. What this really means is that your brand new GTX 2080 will not work until the GTX 3080 appears on the market. Then again, why would you need such exotic hardware? It's not like you're going to be playing games on linux. Argument void.
Good system security
Debian and the free software community are very responsive to make sure that fixes of security problems get into the distribution quickly. Usually, fixed packages are uploaded within a few days. The availability of source code allows the security in Debian to be evaluated in an open setting which prevents poor security models from being implemented. Also, most free software projects have peer-review systems, which prevents potential security problems from being introduced in essential systems in the first place.
- a) Nobody is interested in breaking into linux systems. These people didn't want to spend any money on their OS for Ifni's sake. What are you trying to get out of there?
b) All those reliable open sores people. There are just good people there. Not a bad apple among them. Look up ReiserFS.
c) I wouldn't at all be surprised a bunch of linux-based lihadists is behind attacks on users on other operating systems, Their version of storming into a night-club in Paris with AK-47s.
d) Gaping holes in the kernel stay open for years.
Security software
Unknown to many, anything sent over the net can be read by any machine between you and the receiver. Debian has packages of the famous GPG (and PGP) software which allows mail to be sent privately between users. In addition, ssh allows you to create secure connections to other machines which have ssh installed.
- Careful people, this here says: "Linux is the only OS that can encrypt things". If Linux has special packages, Windows also has these packages (bet on it, most linux stuff is ripwork off other OSses, usually half-implemented). Apple and Android of course have them because they're basically ripoffs in the second degree (linux ripoffs). Argument void.
Of course, Debian is not perfect. There are three areas that are common causes of complaints:
- Not perfect? Heretic! Burn!
"Lack of popular commercial software."
It is quite true that some popular software is not available for Debian. There are, however, replacement programs for most of those, designed to mimic the best features of the proprietary programs, with the added value of being free software.
- OF COURSE Adobe and the like is not going to port an industry standard for an OS made and used by people who want everything for free! They have workers to pay and offices to rent. However, if you think inflating a sexdoll gives you a girlfriend, the 'replacements' are just as good as the original. Seriously, you guys...
Lack of office programs such as Word or Excel should no longer be a problem, because Debian includes three office suites composed entirely of free software, LibreOffice, Calligra, and GNOME office applications.
- Yeeees, ever since Microsoft opened the file formats Jack Arse and companions have been doing their very best to copy everything. Alas Jack Arse and companions lack a design department and a UI department. So everything is like swimming uphill. Why three you ask? Linux is a religion. Look at religions. Before the founder is good and well cold there are at least three different interpretations. (This is also reflected in the 'Roman', 'Protestant', 'Orthodox', 'Lutheran' and 'Baptist' distributions).
Various proprietary office suites are also available: Applixware (Anyware), Hancom Office and others.
- Anything but big evil. ANYTHING BUT BIG EVIL! Grow up. You copy eagerly from Big Evil. And you're not the charming rebels you think you are.
For those interested in databases, Debian ships with two popular database programs: MySQL and PostgreSQL. SAP DB, Informix, IBM DB2 and others are also available for GNU/Linux.
- Which, mind you, are NOT exclusively linux. They will run on virtually any OS. Even the ones that allow you to install things with a click on an icon and do things without (the other Big Evil) Google.
Various other proprietary software is coming out in greater numbers, too, as more companies discover the power of GNU/Linux / GNU/kFreeBSD and its largely untapped market with a rapidly growing user base (since GNU/Linux and GNU/kFreeBSD are freely distributable, sales figures can't be used for user estimates. Best estimates are that GNU/Linux has 5% of the market, giving 15 million users as of early 2001).
- Trust me, the big ones will never make the move. Selling to bums is NOT a viable business model. You can earn money off people who have it and are willing to spend it. Someone who kills 1000 credits worth of hardware by installing a free but impotent OS on it isn't worth your attention.
"Debian is hard to configure."
Note that this says configure, not install, as some people find the initial installation of Debian easier than Windows. A lot of hardware (printers for example) could be made easier to set up, though. Also, some software could have a script that would walk the user through the configuration (at least for the most common setups). This is an area that is being worked on.
- "Some people", the pope and cardinals of the Church of Linux. Any actual human being will find Windows easier to install. No wonder, Microsoft spends millions on making it so. Linux simply tries to copy that in a modern 1964 fashion.
"Not all hardware is supported."
Particularly, really new, really old, or really rare hardware. Also hardware that is dependent on complex "driver" software that the manufacturer only supplies for Windows platforms (software modems or some laptop wifi devices for example). However, in most cases, equivalent hardware is available that does work with Debian. Some hardware is not supported because the vendor chooses not to make the hardware specifications available. This is also an area that is being worked on.
- And why does the vendor do that? No market! Freebies! Cheapo's! Exactly! It simply is not interesting! A waste of effort!
On the other hand, Linux WILL run on a dead badger and a toilet seat. Search the net, there is proof.
There is a simple check: Open your computer (the big box). Look inside. Does it have vacuum (radio) tubes? Yes? It will run linux. For anything newer... Well, how hard can it be to write your own drivers?
If the above isn't enough to convince you to use Debian, consider the following: low cost (as little as the cost of a network connection), easy installation, and true multi-tasking that could easily double your productivity. How can you afford not to try it?
- Ah! there it is! The "Low cost" argument. Let's break that one down. For the
Church of Linux (and linux itself) you are a slave. Therefor your time doesn't cost anything. And that is how they get all that "low cost" and "free". If, like any professional, your time costs money, don't forget to take your endless internet searches through opinionpages-brought-as-tutorials and whatnot into the calculation.
Then fucking around for seven hours suddenly brings a, say Microsoft, solution very much into the same cost range. Added advantage, if something does not work you call Microsoft. The linux equivalent is find some forum online piss away another four hours and get more questions to your question.
You need double productivity. Half of you will be trying full-time to find out how to do things. Doing anything on linux costs extra time. Nothing is intuitive.
What the entire linux world IS very good at is twisting things in order to make their deity look better than all others. If you're a politician, hire a CoL zealot and afterwards replace 'linux' with your name. You'll be better than Trump!
It's not that they're lying, they simply suffer from a blind spot the size of the Andromeda Galaxy. So, while there really are a good number of very talented people wasting their time on this thing, the majority is a clueless bunch of lihadists (indoctrinated goatfarmers). Linux is the answer! Linux is the truth! Linux is great! Kill everything else! They wasted half their life to learn the gospels, so so should you.
There is one place where linux excels.Where you can't see it. Very well hidden away in a server rack. Where commandline is all you want. GUI doesn't matter. Where you have no exotic hardware. Where it only has to do dumb things like serve a file on demand or run a PHP script. And you only have to look at it from some TTY client on your smoothly-running one-click-install modern 2019 desktop OS.
The simple question you should ask yourself in order to decide to run linux or some modern OS is:
Do I want to get an operating system running smoothly or do I want to use an operating system to do things.
If to you a running operating system is the goal. And the way to get it is a game. Install linux.
If you want to use your computer as a tool, Forget linux. Install some big market leader.
Kind regards, Marian.
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(2b||!2b?'!':'?') // Sorry Will, not a question.