I want to like Linux and leave Windows, but when I say that I don’t want to be forced to use CLI/terminal because I don’t live in the 1970s, people get angry at me.
I don’t want to be one of the people you think is angry at you, but I do want to proselytize a bit.
have you ever used a dedicated download manager? think of the terminal, first, as a dedicated download manager. All you do is type wget and then paste in the URL.
eventually, you may want to specify where the file goes, or what it’s named when you finally download it, or something else. then, you can look up which flags to add with wget -h
I suggest you try Linux, any flavor, but especially Debian or Debian variants. instead of thinking you need to learn to use terminal, just remember that you have a dedicated download manager called terminal.
The thing is you will eventually learn that the terminal does a lot more than called wget. and you already know how to get help, and add flags.
When I need to run terminal, it’s because I’m following a specific guide to fix or setup something. It’s not much different than following a similar guide for Windows, except there might be a bit more copy+paste going on on Linux.
The omnipresent mentions of terminal also delayed my switch and it was completely unnecessary.
Yes, I eventually managed to learn how to do most stuff without the terminal, but almost all “How to do Whatever on Linux” tutorials immediately jump into it.
I know the terminal is more distro-agnostic, but even the distro-specific tutorials do it.
Yes, eventually I learned how, but the vast majority of tutorials on how to install or do anything on Linux jump straight into it.
And as a software developer, a lot of tools I come across don’t have an official non-terminal installation option.
So here’s the thing: providing support is much easier on the command line.
Also if you think about it, insisting that people who provide support or documentation use the system the same way you want to use it so they can show you how to use it is pretty weird.
Hold on there: did you say you’re a software developer? Can you do us all a favour and put GUI-only on your CV?
OK, again, as a hiring manager I would really appreciate you stating your preference for GUI-based computing on there. It will save both of us a lot of time.
It’s a preference, and I may complain about it on social media, but I know things are how they are and I’m not so hung up on it as to let it affect my work.
Worst case I would take a few minutes between tasks to quickly whip up a GUI helper, but I think that in 10 years I only did it 2 or 3 times.
Tbh if you develop GUI apps then be the change you want to see in the world and develop some GUIs for some FOSS that only has CLI. When someone who isn’t a dev complains about a lack of GUI in FOSS I usually explain how these projects are made by volunteers who are usually unpaid rather than billions of corporate microsoft dollars funding everything, but in your case honestly it really feels more like a nut up or shut up situation.
I want to like Linux and leave Windows, but when I say that I don’t want to be forced to use CLI/terminal because I don’t live in the 1970s, people get angry at me.
If all you do is web browse and play games, you should be able to use Linux without the CLI just fine.
Unfortunately I’m a software developer…
I can use a CLI, but I’d rather not.
Vibe coder? 😏
MORE REALISTIC MORE REALISTIC
You mean more cow bell?
Silly to get angry about, because you can use Linux just fine without it. But the terminal is a powerful tool.
I don’t want to be one of the people you think is angry at you, but I do want to proselytize a bit.
have you ever used a dedicated download manager? think of the terminal, first, as a dedicated download manager. All you do is type wget and then paste in the URL.
eventually, you may want to specify where the file goes, or what it’s named when you finally download it, or something else. then, you can look up which flags to add with
wget -hI suggest you try Linux, any flavor, but especially Debian or Debian variants. instead of thinking you need to learn to use terminal, just remember that you have a dedicated download manager called terminal.
The thing is you will eventually learn that the terminal does a lot more than called wget. and you already know how to get help, and add flags.
Kill me.
If you say it like that you are pretty much trying to aggravate them, though
When I need to run terminal, it’s because I’m following a specific guide to fix or setup something. It’s not much different than following a similar guide for Windows, except there might be a bit more copy+paste going on on Linux.
The omnipresent mentions of terminal also delayed my switch and it was completely unnecessary.
Yes, I eventually managed to learn how to do most stuff without the terminal, but almost all “How to do Whatever on Linux” tutorials immediately jump into it.
I know the terminal is more distro-agnostic, but even the distro-specific tutorials do it.
Yes, but day to day usage, you don’t have to touch it
Then don’t use the terminal. You don’t need it.
Yes, eventually I learned how, but the vast majority of tutorials on how to install or do anything on Linux jump straight into it.
And as a software developer, a lot of tools I come across don’t have an official non-terminal installation option.
So here’s the thing: providing support is much easier on the command line.
Also if you think about it, insisting that people who provide support or documentation use the system the same way you want to use it so they can show you how to use it is pretty weird.
Hold on there: did you say you’re a software developer? Can you do us all a favour and put GUI-only on your CV?
.
Uh-uh…
For CLI programs I agree, but I’ve come across GUI programs for which the official installation instructions were CLI only (like Android Studio).
I’m not GUI-only, I just strongly prefer it. My CV does contain me having years of experience developing GUI programs.
OK, again, as a hiring manager I would really appreciate you stating your preference for GUI-based computing on there. It will save both of us a lot of time.
Yikes
It’s a preference, and I may complain about it on social media, but I know things are how they are and I’m not so hung up on it as to let it affect my work.
Worst case I would take a few minutes between tasks to quickly whip up a GUI helper, but I think that in 10 years I only did it 2 or 3 times.
Tbh if you develop GUI apps then be the change you want to see in the world and develop some GUIs for some FOSS that only has CLI. When someone who isn’t a dev complains about a lack of GUI in FOSS I usually explain how these projects are made by volunteers who are usually unpaid rather than billions of corporate microsoft dollars funding everything, but in your case honestly it really feels more like a nut up or shut up situation.
So you’re saying that you don’t want to put it on your CV?
I don’t think it’s relevant, I can use CLI and terminal just fine and if it’s required to do my job then so be it.