Why is Linux so complicated?

[steve999]

Well, I've been used to Windows XP for years, It's a very user friendly operating system.
I got an Asus Eee PC about a year ago, and it's been pure hell ever since.

Let me give you two real-life scenarios to illustrate exactly what I mean:

Windows - Installing any given application
"Well, I want to install (insert app name here) on my pc. I'll just download the zip, extract it, click on the file that says 'INSTALL' and the Installation Wizard will hold my hand through the entire process.
And... Done! That was so quick and easy, life is worth living and I totally don't want to kill myself right now!"

Linux - Installing any given application
"Okay, I want to install (insert app name here) and, wait, huh? There's no download link. Hmm, the instructions say I have to open sudo and modify the repositories. How in Sam hell do I do that? Now I have open the terminal. What? It looks just like DOS! Have we reverted back to the nineties where you have to type in everything manually? Okay, it says I can open a shell script and copy and paste if I don't want to type it by hand. WTF? I'm pasting these lines exactly, but I keep getting error messages. Now I have to switch to root? Argh!!!"
(After several days of frustration and failed suicide attempts, I finally manage to get it right)
"Damn it, that took days! This OS is a piece of...!"

I know Windows is notorius for constantly freezing/locking up/crashing/"BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH! OH NOES!!11", but with Linux, it's too hard to figure out how to do anything...
What do you guys think? Which OS is better?

[Azurith]

Having used both, I will say that I prefer windows for non-complex things. And especially for gaming. Sure you could try to emulate the games through WINE, but 99% of the time it won't work. And besides, since you are emulating, the games WILL run slower. But I prefer Fedora then again also.

There are easier ways to install software for linux, depending on the version. Most versions will have a 'software library' or package manager. My preferred version is Fedora, which uses the YUM package manager. Debian packages are also pretty much universal for most 'nixes.

Also, never use the root account, unless necessary. Always sudo when possible.


You have trade offs for each system.
The funny thing is after speaking to a few mac techs, they suggested for me to just stay with linux.
(I wanted to know how they would go about creating a headless server for an encrypted auto dns/dhcp router/proxy for a network segment from the primary dns network.)
And yes, I know how.