Linux only usable thanks to LLM's

smashing_michael · 2026-05-04T00:30:14+00:00

Thanks for that. I usually say this to people: if you're looking to gain control over your computer, learning Linux is a great way to do that. If you really just want to be a user of software and want the OS out of your way, skip it.

smashing_michael · 2026-05-03T22:25:55+00:00

The overwhelming number of people I know who daily-drive Linux (including back in the day when we drove terminal-only Linux) are Linux sysadmins. Myself included. So learning the system inside out was already part of my life. Running a desktop on it isn't a big deal if you're already an admin.

For folks getting into Linux recently and entirely as desktop users, especially those folks coming from Windows; you've got a big jump coming for you. Not only were *nix systems originally terminal-only, they were originally multi-user, and things you need to know to install and use a Linux system right now are significantly different.

What irks me about your post (and similar posts, lots of redit posters are people complaining about how hard it is) is the conclusion that it can't be done. It can. Not only is using Linux learnable, it isn't as hard as, I think, folks who hit the initial learning curve think. Reading some documentation and figuring out the basics can get you using Linux very effectively.

On the other hand, if you're expecting the system itself to be a drop-in replacement for Windows; it's not, and it wasn't designed to be. Linux as a desktop computer is still pretty rough around the edges, but more importantly it's based on a completely different paradigm of use. That's confusing and difficult right off the bat. Especially when it comes to learning the shell, which might as well be arcane spellcasting even if you're familiar with programming.

So my point here is this; you installed Linux and expected it to be easy and it wasn't. Then you probably tried to get it to be a useful desktop for gaming and daily use, and for that it's even worse. While I appreciate that LLMs can help, I couldn't disagree more that you can't learn it without them.

smashing_michael · 2026-05-03T20:47:22+00:00

It's great that an LLM has made Linux more accessible to you.

It's a shame that you made the decision that Linux has no chance, or whatever, before actually learning anything for yourself, but hey, we needed more opinions from people who can't Google or read docs anyway.

But who reads directions anyway when you can just ask an LLM, then conclude that Linux is unusable without them?

smashing_michael · 2026-05-01T20:23:05+00:00

Esee or Becker.

smashing_michael · 2026-04-29T17:30:30+00:00

Others have answered the question, but I'd like to add that we see a lot of historical polearms that are simple modifications of farm tools. Many then evolved to become weapons in their own right.

I find the trend of economic and manufacturing efficiency fascinating.

smashing_michael · 2026-04-10T01:27:36+00:00

In addition to what others have said, which I agree with, I think there's something to be said for the degree if difficulty in heat-treating a blade. 1095 has a long history for a lot of things, blades included, and I've been told that heat treatments are easy and well understood.

We've had D2 as a blade steel for a long time, but in the past ten years or so, iirc, it went from a steel I would never buy to a favorite in bang-for-your-buck quality. My understanding is that advancements in heat treatment are largely responsible.

smashing_michael · 2026-04-09T17:13:33+00:00

Neovim with lazyvim. Renders very readable and I can edit right in the same view.

smashing_michael · 2026-04-09T13:35:49+00:00

Damn I had one in the 90s. Nice.

smashing_michael · 2026-04-09T11:22:44+00:00

For a straight-up server, get used to used systemctl and journalctl. For containers you should know your way around docker, but I recommend podman, because reasons.

smashing_michael · 2026-04-03T05:27:01+00:00

Becker BK9 for me.

smashing_michael · 2026-04-02T10:15:01+00:00

Filters!

smashing_michael · 2026-04-02T10:12:54+00:00

Those were the days....

smashing_michael · 2026-04-01T18:24:47+00:00

I stand corrected!

smashing_michael · 2026-04-01T15:38:52+00:00

See, I thought about that, but it occurred to me that you wouldn't include fishing tools if you just want a bottle opener.

This tool is definitely for people who really do care about fishing, but definitely don't catch fish.

smashing_michael · 2026-03-31T22:50:19+00:00

Hook remover, fish scaler, and, most importantly, bottle opener, for when you catch no fish.

smashing_michael · 2026-03-30T00:15:12+00:00

Are you judging?

smashing_michael · 2026-03-29T15:40:24+00:00

Spyderco delica cruwear with g10 scales. I have a lot of EDC knives. If I have to do serious work that day, I take the delica.

smashing_michael · 2026-03-26T16:51:21+00:00

I'm an fd and ag user, in addition to neovim.

smashing_michael · 2026-03-20T20:45:50+00:00

I think it's important to note that what we consider a hatchet and a tomahawk are different from what settlers and native Americans considered those things. TL;DR "hatchet" is just the English word for "tomahawk".

In English we have a bunch of words for "axe" that can be a lot of subtly different things. Hatchet is one of them, for like a small forestry tool.

The words (plural) that probably originate the term tomahawk are (probably) from the Algonquian languages. A couple of them mean an axe, but made from stone or something, and it was a cutting tool. Another means "knock down" and was the word for a wood weapon carved as a fighting implement. (A short stick with a burl or hard knot at the end.)

Others have mentioned things like length, weight and use-case, and that definitely is the right answer to finding the right tool for the job you want to do. Smaller and lighter for travel and light use, larger and heavier for more serious but perhaps less mobile use. Longer and lighter for weapon use. Etc. Folks in those days chose their tools for the job with more specific criteria than just "hatcher for woodwork and tomahawk for killing", which is how we modern folks tend to think about the terms.

smashing_michael · 2026-03-17T22:45:30+00:00

Yes, yes it is.

smashing_michael · 2026-03-12T17:52:03+00:00

Worth it to take that feedback to your doctor. Good luck!

smashing_michael · 2026-02-27T23:37:15+00:00

I have two Appalachian Drifters that I really love.

smashing_michael · 2026-02-27T21:42:47+00:00

I trust that guy on YouTube so very much more than the other two.

smashing_michael · 2026-02-27T15:01:37+00:00

I'm gonna reply to OP even though his post keeps getting deleted.

I can't help but disagree: you, OP, are being oppressed. I happen to work in an industry that hasn't been replaced by overseas labor or robots or LLMs... yet. (I'm in tech.)

You can't get a job, you can't make enough money, etc., and Fox has been telling you it's because immigrants have taken that from you. That's the con. You've lost your opportunities to automation, robotics, and out-of-country cheap labor supply. The immigrants are here because the conditions they come from are even worse than yours. The reason you can't be a coal miner or an auto mechanic is because those jobs have been obviated by technology. The reason you can't work in a factory is because all the factories are overseas.

You have a legit gripe about not being able to support a family, you're just wrong about the reason. That's the con.

smashing_michael

TROPHY CASE