this post was submitted on 09 Nov 2025
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Programming
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In the defense of end users, they got stuff to do and can't be bothered to take the time which will make no obvious difference to what they need to do.
The average person can't even describe how a toaster works, let alone anything even slightly more complicated.
And these users have ~~skillets~~ skill sets in other areas - I don't expect an accountant to know how a computer works, any more than they expect me to understand accountancy or finance.
I blame management that doesn’t listen to or hire qualified IT people. The average office worker has no say in what platforms or tools are used at a business.
Also in defense of end users, they are forced to use whatever OS their IT department provides.
The few users that would prefer Linux for instance, aren't allowed to use it because it deviates from the company standard and makes things harder to maintain (security, backup, and so on).
It's also the other way around: we have linux machines at work, controllers for specific devices. A lot of people don't want to open a manual it seems. They just submit support tickets, angrily, as they can't figure out that the menu is in a different place.
It would make a whole lot of difference. But it's like learning math, or basic finance indeed. Sooo useful, improves your life tremendously, yet most people can't be bothered.
Tragedy of the commons.
If they can use the internet in Windows and in Linux... How is there any real difference to the end user?
They aren't saying Linux doesn't have advantages. They're saying those differences don't matter for what most people do.
Another example, playing games. There's no advantage in playing a game in Linux over Windows, or vice versa.
For example many people can't find their saved files anymore in windows, as it auto saves in some programs to onedrive. Yet some other programs can't read from onedrive. That's a real difference in usability. And ofcourse also in terms of invasion of privacy.
For example, my mother became unable to read her email, as outlook changed UI completely and unavoidably. Had she chosen to use better software that would not have happened. A real difference.
For example, when searching for a local program, microsoft now also serves ads in the search results. Many people fall for those ads, that also include scams. That's a real problem you don't have with better software.
The examples keep on going on. And the end users do complain about them, often. They pay so much money for a worse experience.