Do you use Linux? Answer for the chance to appear on the DevDiscuss podcast!

The DevDiscuss Podcast begins with an interview and ends with commentary from listeners — and we like to feature the actual voices from our community!

To inform an upcoming episode of the show, we'd like to know...

“Why do you or don't you use Linux?”

For your chance to appear on an upcoming episode, answer the question above by:

• Calling our Google Voice at [phone] and leave a message 📞

• Sending a voice memo to [e-mail] 🎙

• OR, leaving a comment here (we'll read your response aloud for you) 🗣

Please send in your recordings by Wednesday, February 24th at Midnight, ET (9 PM PT, 5 AM UTC)

Voice recordings will be given priority placement 😉

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Plus, don't forget to check out the most recent episode of DevDiscuss:

S4:E2 - A Critical Look At Distributed Conferences

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Comments

[Denis]

I went from MacOS to Linux because I no longer believe Apple is the ultimate dev-machine or targeted at pro-users. Plus, Apple and it's closed eco-system is something I can't get behind. Which is all pure personal opinion of course.

After my switch the only regret I have is that I waited this long. The benefit of Linux is that there's so much you can do to make it your own or create your ultimate work environment. Starting with the right distro, DE and making everything exactly how you want it.

Added bonus: FOSS.

[Mandar Vaze]

I was a long time linux user, so switching would not be difficult.

Only reason I'm sticking to macOS is because of the hardware.

Genuine questions :

1. Are there any linux distros that truly support retina display ?
2. What other "hardware" gives 8+ hours battery life with linux ? (With M1 macs, the battery life with macOS is even better than it already was)

If I get good answers to these, I will switch (I've already tried live booting my MBP with various linux distros, so there is that)

[Denis]

I don't really notice battery life because I'm mostly at the (home) office. I do feel like PopOS was pretty good on my Dell and so is Manjaro. Especialy when I switch to Intel only.

Hidpi and mainly a mix of hidpi and lodpi screens is still kind of an issue. This should be resolved when Wayland is fully done.

You should give PopOS a try if you're on a hidpi screen. It's pretty good. I switched back to Manjaro with Gnome because I prefer arch based distros and their package management. But I don't feel much difference in performance tbh.

Gnome has optional fractional scaling (which is on by default in PopOS and which you need to add yourself in Manjaro - takes like 5mins) and I use a 4K screen in my Dell with an external 4K monitor and everything works great. Can set different scaling for both screens etc.

[Mandar Vaze]

Thanks. Will try PopOS (I used to think it was mainly for System76 machines)

[toonarmycaptain]

My second hand/repaired HP Envy does about 10 hours on battery running Ubuntu? Workload is rarely too heavy, but my son plays Minecraft on it, and it drives a TV, so not a trivial amount of processing.

[Mandar Vaze]

Wow. Which version of Ubuntu ? Did you do any tweaks ? laptop-mode or something ? (I haven't used linux in over 5 yrs, so not sure if that is still a thing)

[toonarmycaptain]

Nah, I mean, the monitor often stays off? The meter says 4.something hrs, but it lasted over 10 hrs after the power went out the other day, and he'd been playing on it for a bit. It's got an 8 cell battery and a non-original SSD, running Ubuntu Groovy. I was very impressed, as I've never had another laptop last near that long.

[Almas Abdrazak]

A lot of people are saying something about privacy In Linux by using Google , Gmail or chrome , I don't buy it, for me Linux is much much easier then other OS, first software delivery using package managers, second window managers, third vim , fourth minimalism ,I know that my laptop is running only what I want , also , with window manager and minimal setup gnu/Linux doesn't require a lot of resources , I will be happy to discuss it with you, sorry too lazy to record a voice message

[Pontakorn Paesaeng]

My computer is bloated and filled with pirated software. This includes the Window itself. It slows down my computer so much to the point that deleting fies won't help. Besides, no one uses that computer anymore.

I cannot upgrade my computer because I am broke. So I delete everything to install Linux (Currently,I use popOS but I want to use Endeavor or Void.) Everything seems to be faster. I hope I can get a chance to upgrade my PC as well because my Macbook is not suitable for gaming. Even Minecraft heats my Macbook so much.

[Deepu K Sasidharan]

Have been a Linux user for around 5 years now and there is no going back for me. I have been long term windows user before that wnd I also use a mac from time to time for work but those can't compare to Linux when it comes to freedom and the satisfaction you get out of doing anything exactly the way you want

My dev.to post summarize it

dev.to/deepu105/my-beautiful-linux...

[Kenner Gonçalves]

What is funny is that I am a .Net Developer, and I have been using Linux as my daily driver for about five years now. I have made the switch because of Windows Update and I stayed because of the power Linux gave me, and everything runs smoothly even though my laptop have nine years. I don't miss anything from Windows, and I have been able to do everything I had to do on it

[Abhineet Mishra]

I am using Linux for the last 3 years because it is faster than Windows 10. As a computer science student, I do a lot of coding and for me, Linux is a much better platform for writing a piece of code of any programming language, there is no need of setting programming environment for each and every IDE's like in windows 10, just install the compiler/interpreter of language and run where you want.

[Mauro Garcia]

Yep! I just published a new article on DEV about my journey from Windows to Linux:

Article No Longer Available

.

I also wrote about the Linux terminal a few weeks ago:

Linux Terminal: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

Mauro Garcia ・ Jan 25 ・ 15 min read

#linux #terminal #beginners

Among many reasons why you should at least try Linux:

• Is free and open-source
• Is fast: There are many "minimal" options for those who can't afford new hardware.
• Is fully customizable: There are endless customization options through different desktop environments or window managers.

You may consider not using Linux if:

• Your work depends on specific proprietary software that is not available on Linux
• You want to play games that don't run on Linux.

[miku86]

• I feel like I own my devices: I can change whatever I want, because I use 100% free open source software; if I want to, I can change it
• I can fight for my moral values: I have the feeling that consumerism and capitalism are eating the world; many people can't afford to pay for an Apple device or a Windows license, so they don't get access to the same education as people in rich countries get.
• Linux makes me pro-active: if I'm not happy with the software, I give feedback or modify it myself; I don't wait anymore passively so that other people (Windows or iOS devs) fix my issues
• I am not being spied on all the time

[Unmukt S]

I use Linux in My laptop as well as desktop. I started with Linux 20 years ago because I liked its philosophy and there is no copyright violation, no cost, and it serves my purpose completely.
I am not technical person so I can not contribute but I speak and popularise it.

[Ryan Brown]

I use Linux. But also Windows. I prefer Linux for a variety of tasks as it much better supports the concept of a general purpose computer. Like others have said, I can eek out a few more years of usability from hardware by switching to Linux. My VMs run Linux as well as my CI and CD pipelines, (either in a VM or Linux container.)
I don't use Linux for my primary human interface systems. Those are windows, as that is what it is best at. Presenting tools and interfaces to the user. (and games, I know there are Linux games and many games for Windows can run in Linux, but its not worth my time when something that works is right there)
For any kind of server process, Linux is ideal. Server processes that require Windows mean I'm looking for an alternative.
A lot of the utility comes from extensive package repositories, open source software, mature build tools and scripting for automation.
Windows has power-shell, but it's often not straight forward, and relies on the applications you're using having good APIs or command line tools which can be a hindrance when missing.