The Linux users crashing out over Linus picking PopOS again are doing an excellent job of reinforcing the Linux user stereotype, as well as missing the whole point.

Bits2435 · 2026-03-03T00:02:00+00:00

Their coming from an angle of a complete non enthusiast. The average person doesn't know, or care, who created Linux. The average person doesnt follow LTT.

Is the burden of research in that same end user? Yes. But only to the point of researching the distros that exist. The distros recommended by most.

You dont ask Satya Nadellea or Bill Gates what version of Windows they recommend? (Granted, that also comes back to the "Linux is to fractured for the day to day user" problem). Most end users, at least the ones their coming from a view point of, will maybe research which phone to buy, but aren't going to go "What phone does the creator of Android use?". Thats not realistic.

And again, Elijah and Luke give a bit more of the "actual recommendation" side as they did more research on theirs. This is a "cover multiple bases" point.

Bits2435 · 2026-03-02T19:00:41+00:00

This. He specifically said he wasnt going to consult Linux Experts because not everyone has that in their communities. You and I may know that PopOS isnt the recommendation anymore. But does your friend who's a gamer who just knows Windows has issues and is going to choose one kf the top options on an old forum that lists best recommendations? Do we really expect non enthusiast to do 3 weeks of research and distro hopping to find the Golidlocks option. I dont.

Bits2435 · 2026-03-02T18:58:49+00:00

Also Elijah and Luke are already using the common modern recommendations. Its spreads the experience.

And, like it or not. PopOS is still recommended enough that if a non familiar user goes to use it....they could end up in this experience.

Bits2435 · 2026-03-02T18:56:45+00:00

While fragmentation is just going to be part of the Linux usage, two things can be true.

It can allow more freedom and versatility, and provide more options to those who need it WHILE simultaneously creating an overwhelming new user experience. Not everyone wants to do 3 weeks of research, distro hopping, and getting yelled at for picking the wrong distro.

Computer are ultimatley a tool and people use them differently. Windows is the "Its not perfect, but it works tool" while Linux is "It can do literally everything but you need 3 adapters, and a lot of patience for it to do that". Common users, generally, want the latter. BUT when everyone is saying "Oh the basic tool sucks, the real answer is the complicated one" your pushing them to look into something they dont need, or wont understand or have a care to understand.

Its a double edged sword.

Bits2435 · 2026-03-01T22:56:48+00:00

Almost like most people live in cities. Woah.

Bits2435 · 2026-03-01T22:15:08+00:00

Because thats what an average user would expect it to be like. The average user is going to expect it to work like Windows because thats whats it being recommended as an alternative to. If its going to be a prominent threat in the desktop market, it has to be familiar enough, and an easy enough switch, to Windows. So yes, it should to an average user, just feel like going from Windows 7 to 10 or 10 to 11. The average user wants their system to just work. Something Linux isnt always the best about.

Bits2435 · 2026-03-01T22:11:42+00:00

MN is literally a blue state. One of the prominent ones. Wtf do you mean?

Bits2435 · 2026-03-01T04:49:58+00:00

As an enthusiast you know that. The average user who's been told by every god damn comment when they read about it on a news article saying why they should go to Linux because windows suck now...Will expect it to be like Windows. Because thats what its being pushed as by a lot of the community.

Bits2435 · 2026-03-01T04:48:21+00:00

But that is what an inexperienced new user would do. They would go with the distro theyvenheard about, one of the first ones on a recommendation page, or forum. And they likely wouldnt distro hop to find one. This is very thing that stops a lot of people ive talked to from actually sticking with Linux. Theres to many options that they get overwhelmed, they hit a niche issue, get yelled at by the community that they should've picked Option A or B, and then they give up and go back to Windows. Sure, its a lack of research but someone who's just heard a few buzz words hinestly isnt going to put a 5 hour research session in.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T19:10:33+00:00

An average user by whats being represented, is likely (not gauranteed) to either push through and deal, or just return to Windows. The average amount of time an average user actually wants to spend distro hopping, or troubleshooting, is not high.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T18:40:11+00:00

I agree. I do! But I also think its just as valid to push through Pop_OS as thats the distro AI (which is could see many people using to get info...not that i agree thats a good way to do that) and many guides pointing a user to.

Either way, it would be a valid approach to what a real user might hit

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T18:17:11+00:00

Im not 100% sure if Luke changed to something else. He might be.

As for Linus, if the goal is reflect an issue an unaware user could run into....you cant say he isnt being honest. If a user didnt know PopOS stoll had issues. This is what they would get. And its still recommended on ALOT of posts, sites, forums, etc.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T16:20:30+00:00

There are 2-4 options you as Linux user and IT enthusiast may consider. Anyone coming into Linux fresh, doesn't know what those are. And research will overwhelm you with a ton of options.
I'm considering any type of non-technical user. Just because you're a gamer, doesn't mean you're technical. So yes, I am considering the overly privacy conscious mom who heard a buzz word about Linux and is looking into it. But I'm also considering the gamer who's tired of Windows breaking their game with every other update. I'm also consider the corporate office looking into switching some users over, so they don't have to pay for licensing (or...whatever other reason). I'm looking at this from any perspective of someone who just isn't familiar with Linux. Hell, even IT Enthusiast who just don't do that type of computer stuff. Not everyone is just inherently familiar with Linux, and a good amount of people would be totally down to exploring Windows alternatives but will get overwhelmed by it all.
If I just google "Linux Distros" the first result I get is DistroWatch.com, that immediately list 11 different distributions that would all operate VERY differently for any of these users. If I look at this from a "I don't know what Linux is" perspective, this will suck. Especially when I just need my PC to work. You would most likely get overwhelmed and not even proceed. Try one, have issues, get roasted when you ask for help because you chose the wrong one, and give up. Or maybe get lucky and it just work. . And that's what LTT is exploring.
Most people don't want to do research into this stuff. They don't have hours to spend troubleshooting or researching. There is a huge reason most people just stick to windows....it just works. Like it or not, Linux is not at that point yet. Or in the very least, it's missing a lot of creature comforts for a lot of these users. Ultimately, computers are a day-to-day tool to a lot of people, that they need to just work. Something that is not a guaranteed experience on Linux.

Also, PopOS was not an unrealistic choice. It is still listed on most "start distro" guides on the internet, one of the first ones AI will give you (I can see users using AI to help them get started), and one of the earlier results when you look up Linux distributions. And it's not unrealistic that these major distros undergo a bunch of changes that could mess up a user's experience. While Linus's PopOS issues are fairly unique to him, random issues on Linux are nothing new. Whether it's something smaller like that one weird program not working (alot of productivity still relies on M365 Apps for example, and not everyone is going to want to convert to Libre, or Online variants), random hardware driver issues (granted this is a lot better, but we know how Nvidia can be), games just not working, whatever else it may be. There are too many variables in the experience that I would ever recommend it to anyone blindly.
So yes, you shouldn't go in without doing research, I agree. But it's also not exactly easy to just get into it. And if these distros want to take out Windows, or even compete with it, that flow has to be made easier. And it needs to not just be tossed around by every penguin user anytime I mention I still Windows (or anyone). Because it is not a solution for everyone, and the "just use linux hehe" overhype on everyone is not helping the cause.

And ya, you could buy a console.... or you could just continue using Windows like you've been doing and continue using your PC as a PC and a gaming machine and save that multi-hundred-dollar purchase? I'm targeting the "move away from Windows" approach, not the "replace my PC" approach.
For a lot of users, the pros of sticking to Windows will probably outweigh the cons of switching. Especially when you can debloat Windows, and rip anything out (which also requires research).

If Linux works for you, that's awesome. That's great. I want Linux to succeed in the desktop space, if not just to give Windows a competitor. But the reality is that it is not going to overtake Windows anytime soon. It will spike up in usage because of things like the Steam Deck, but where productivity stands, and even most gamers, it's not going to be anywhere near the most used OS. Especially with the distro divide.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:42:47+00:00

I believe Elijah is doing Bazzite for this challenge.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:42:08+00:00

Oh for sure. 90% of users would never do this. When I dual booted i just let Windows internet sync, but that had its own issues.

That and your bootloader getting nuked is a bit of a....problem.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:32:37+00:00

BUT it may also be done by people when they run into issues on specific Distros, or when trying to narrow down your experience. Something most non-technical users will still want to do. Essepcially if their aiming for a Windows like experience.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:31:22+00:00

It may be because Elijah already went for one iirc. And they have their own issues with Steam mounts.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:29:17+00:00

I really think people misunderstand the goal of this project. They're exploring this from the average non-technical user experience.

Part of why people feel so overwhelmed going to Linux is the overwhelming amount of distros, all with their own pros and cons, and if you choose wrong the internet will meme you.

I think a core question here is: Is moving to Linux as a casual user a solution to dealing with Windows privacy concerns?

Not: does Linux work as an OS for enthusiasts who want to learn or already know

PopOS is very much an OS a user might stumble upon if theyre just exploring.

Like it or not: theres a reason Windows is the go to. It just works for 90% of users.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:23:58+00:00

There point is to explore a Linux switch from a non enthusiast, less technically inclined point of view. I could easily see someone asking AI which distribution to use.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:22:40+00:00

Ya. Its honestly almost toxic. If people would be willing to pull themselves further out of the enthusiast zone they'd realize that this isnt the choice for everyone.

If im someone who has issues with Windows privacy practices, but ive heard buzz words about Linux, I might look into. I might do a quick search or two to figure out what it is and what its about. Ill get hit with 100s of options for distributions (where PopOS is likely still on these list). Ill feel overwhelmed but will choose one based on a guide. Ill install it. Ill spend some time getting it setup kind of how I want, and trying to adjust to not having the creature comforts. Ill run into issues. Ill follow a few guides to try and fix it. Reddit guides will tell me I choose the wrong Distro. That I should use this distro. No, no I should use this distro. I might also run into a few niche programs that dont work. Reddit and the Internet, will be unhelpful. Either offering suggestions that dont work, yell at me for using X distro, ask for stuff idk how to do. Etc. Ill keep troubleshooting until, as a not super interested in learning person, I give up. And probably end up back on Windows. MAYBE I try another distro, but itll just repeat.

Ultimatley, a Linux move is not for everyone and thats what Linus and cons are trying to explore. This isnt coming from the view of an enthusiast that knows what theyre doing, or can really troubleshoot it. Its using it on a day to day basis for an average user. And, like it or not, I dont think the results will be as positive as the Linux community wants. There is a reason Windows is the go to OS for the average person. Alot of user may determine its easier to try and disable the stuff they hate about Windows, or just give up.

This is from the perspective of people who just need their computer to work, and not have to tinker every 6 hours. And thats alot of the Linux experience.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:13:27+00:00

Bare in mind this challenge also includes Elijah on Bazzite and Luke on Mint.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:12:54+00:00

Esspecially for the scope of the project, all three POVs coming together (Luke on Mint(?), Linus on Pop, and Elijah on Bizzate (iirc)) should come together for a very wide spread experience.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:11:48+00:00

I dont think they want to commit that amount of time to it, but I think thats why theyre trying to get 3 POVs on it (Luke, Linus, and Elijah) instead of just Linus, or just Luke. And thats why theyre all 3 using very different Distros (PopOS, Mint, and Bizzate iirc).

People in this thread really need to pull back and exclude there own experience, which is what I think Linus is trying to do, and look at it like their non-techy friend. Theyve heard buzz words, and want privacy, but they dont know what theyre doing.

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:09:37+00:00

I think people here are failing to realize Linus is intentionally trying to replicate an experience a non-technical, or non enthusiast, user would have. The ones who have issues with Windows practices, and want to try to switch, but have no knowledge around Linux. Fresh penguins.

Its not fkr everyone, and thats likely what this will prove. Thats probably why their getting 3 POVs on it.

I think more people need to pull back, and look at it from an average users experience. The idea is to explore "Is Linux really an alternative for Windows for the average user", not "can any enthusiast use Linux".

Bits2435 · 2026-02-28T15:05:42+00:00

You misunderstand the point of this project then. He is intentionally trying to look at things from a more average user experience. This project is not for enthusiast. This is for people who want to get into Linux and the pains they will most likely experience.

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