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Discussion on: Should I use Linux?

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promikecoder2020 profile image
ProMikeCoder2020

I recommend using windows subsystem for Linux since it combines the best of the two worlds. Since it has all the functionalities of windows so you can run apps like sketch and Microsoft works, but it also has all the advantages of using Linux for programming

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__mrvik__ profile image
MrViK

I don't recommend it. As a full time Linux used being forced to work with Windows I find that WSL2 a poor choice to run Linux, which also has performance problems, and yes, I'm talking about the WSL2. Docker containers take an eternity to be unpacked on an i5+M2. All the expensive operations are incredibly slow there.

Also it's too buggy and not to talk about the horrendous CMD/PowerShell/Windows Terminal with their shitty usability.

So, IMO, the WSL2 doesn't offer a usable environment for Linux users nor to newcomers who want to try Linux.

I strongly recommend the other side, using Linux instead of Windows and an VM with Windows if needed until you figure out how to run your programs under Wine (most of them just work out of the box).

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cyberhck profile image
Nishchal Gautam

Thank you! same experience here, people who think WSL2 is good enough are just plain ignorant who have never used linux as primary OS.

You can't have guake terminal, you can't have the workspace which makes it so much more productive, WSL2 is only for people to say "I've got a bash on my machine", honestly I see little point on people using WSL2 as alternative, give us actual workspaces, guake like terminal, then we talk.

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__mrvik__ profile image
MrViK

Yes, the drop-down terminals are a missing feature I personally love. I'm using Yakuake and I use it every time for short tasks.

Also, I use a lot the links detection (I work with apps that require OAuth2 and throw links at the terminal) and the lack of this feature on the "new" Win Terminal is driving me nuts.

And workspaces is an essential thing, Windows have them but honestly, they suck a lot.

Windows and Linux (with any tooling, also the basic suckless tools) are two separate worlds, where Linux is by far the best one.

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moopet profile image
Ben Sinclair

Different people have different workflows.
I don't like these dropdown terminals because, well, I always have a maximised, tabbed or tiled terminal available anyway.

For this, WSL with Windows Terminal is fine. Yes, it's a little slow when rendering, but since my workflow is to use a browser and a bunch of SSH connections, there's no issue.

Workspaces are not an essential thing. They're something that some people use and some people don't. MacOS and Windows now have native workspaces, but the majority of people don't use them or even understand how to work them.

It's fine that you like certain features, but they're not essential, and they might be wholly inappropriate for someone else depending on their preferences and the type of development they do.

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cyberhck profile image
Nishchal Gautam

These are the type of responses I absolutely hate, "it's not important because I don't use it".

first off, using Linux based OS won't force you to use these, you can still have 1 workspace, and 1 terminal maximized window, but they ALLOW you to be able to work on whatever workflow you want.

secondly, if you read my comment you'd understand, I know mac and windows have workspaces, but that's about it, they added to add it, but nothing about it makes any better. There aren't any shortcuts to move to another workspace, or customize horizontal and vertical workspaces, moving one app from one workspace to another workspace etc.