This

That a Microsoft product is the lesser of two evils is very damning for Google

If I was choosing between chrome and edge, I’d choose edge.

But I use Firefox like all nerds should.

Yep, I mainly use firefox but when I do need a chromium flavor, I would sooner go to edge than chrome itself.

Bravo

Yeah, that seems about right, after all everything will evolve into grab, foxes included.

Microsoft is Evil. Google is ungood.

Yup. Chrome is the new Internet Explorer.

Wow, where to start with this.

1. Google didn’t “have” to “remove” their motto. As part of the restructuring to have Alphabet as a holding company that includes Google, Alphabet’s motto was “Do the right thing”. They argued at the time that “evil” is hard to define, and that the goal shouldn’t just be to avoid evil, but to do good. There’s nothing that made them “have” to do that. But, maybe you could argue that it generated a lot of negative press for them, so they felt pressure to change.
2. The “Don’t be evil” motto is, itself, a reference to Microsoft. It came about sometime between 1999 and 2001, when Microsoft was on trial for their evil acts. Abusing their monopoly to drive Netscape out of business, in particular. Some might argue that Google has also abused their monopoly, but it would be hard to argue that they did it in the same evil way as Microsoft, who used Internet Explorer to destroy standard HTML, fractured Javascript by creating JScript, destroyed Java applets by using ActiveX controls, lied about it being impossible to remove Internet Explorer from Windows, falsified evidence at their federal antitrust trial, etc.

Basically, while you might find Google’s surveillance-capitalism model distasteful, they’re nothing like Microsoft’s true evil.

If it’s a work issued computer, they might not have a say in the choice of OS.

Until recently, getting games to work on Linux was a real pain. The main purpose of my Windows machine is for games.

That’s great!

So for an average user like me, who really doesn’t have any problem with Windows…why switch?

Well, because Micro$oft can’t accept that people don’t want to use their garbage browser and desperately does everything like a crazy ex to get you back to use Micro$oft Edge. They also collect all of your data and sell it to whoever pays the most and. On a Windows system, you don’t control the computer, the computer controls you. And they don’t allow you to uninstall any of their spyware, if you uninstall Edge and perform a Windows update, guess what’s gonna be back on your computer. Microsoft Edge is like a virus, it does everything to prevent you from getting rid of it. Edge, Windows or any Microsoft product is just corporate data mining malware.
Linux is the exact opposite of that, it’s a tool meant to empower users to take back their freedom and take back the control over their computers. It allows you to do everything the way you want to, not the way a mega corporation wants you to do it. Data collection practically non-existent, just like corporate influence. You are the one in charge of your computer, you decide what it does, you decide which programs are installed and what services you choose what services you want to use. Linux gives you freedom, whereas Windows gives you ads for Candy Crush in your start menu and a browser that behaves like is malware.

Back then I tried probably 5 or 6 different Linux variants.

Linux from 15-20 years ago can’t be compared to modern Linux. Take another shot at it, try out modern distributions like Linux Mint or Fedora, I promise you, it’s much much better than in the 00s.

The average user doesn’t need Windows.

Not sure why you’re getting shit on. Actually, I do know. Many people think everyone is as tech savvy as they are. It would blow many people’s minds they could install an operating system. Their computer comes with it like their iPhone comes with iOS. A lot of people just can’t figure things out for themselves. They can google it, but then will see a bunch of crazy commands to copy and paste. And there’s a good chance that if they do ask for some help. People will tell them their dumb and should be able to figure things out on their own and that linux is too much for them.

Also, this is from a guy who can use Linux at an average level.

And always will as long as people like you keep it that way

Thank you. I can use Linux. I don’t want to. Plenty of people are still computer illiterate and people forget that. My father uses excel on windows every day for his job, but couldn’t use a mac because he just knows his Windows. He got confused that the taskbar disappeared lol. Linux would blow his mind. Yes, if you’re training someone on the new OS it’d be no different, but so many people only know certain windows programs.

Also, audio SUCKS on Linux (speaking from running PipeWire and ALAX and Pulse). Try explaining to someone how to fix that mess.

Yeap. I’m a sysadmin, I work in a linux shop, we provide a linux desktop to our users.

And I use windows both at home and on my work machine, for sheer quality of life. I don’t have the time or energy to deal with the mediocre UX and gotchas of the linux desktop.

For actual computing tasks, I ssh into a linux box, from my nice comfy just-works windows environment. Between Windows Terminal, VcXsrv and SSHFS, I have all the integration I need for a seamless experience.

Use individual tools for what they’re best at, and play to their strengths.

Linux is perfect for the average user. Install KDE Neon or Kubuntu for them and they won’t know which is which. They will only notice that their computer has become faster. Corporate world and gaming is stil the only two areas Linux hasn’t (fully) surpassed Windows.

I imagine you just broke bernieecclestoned’s heart after having been called thirsty and misinterpreting it for years