People around me, saying that Linux is much better than the other operating systems. They are mostly programmers or –as the others say about us: nerd- type, so I do not normally see a regular person using a Linux distribution for daily use. They may exist, but I cannot show anyone I know for you.
First time I met Linux was at 2003 (actually earlier, I saw a giant Unix server at my fathers work place when I was a kid, but of course I did not realize what that was) where my lovely sister got to the university and as a policy, they gave her a nice IBM laptop. It was installed Suse Linux and except my father, we were shocked. It was the first time I was touching a Linux installed system. However, we could not set up it to connect our wireless network at home, so I wanted to find how that was acomplished, but not a clue, since my English was not good enough these days, to understand where is the “Network” settings, and even I found it I think I wouldn’t tell the difference between DHCP on /off.
If you are thinking that trauma caused an repulsion on me against Linux systems, you are wrong.
It all started, when I got the university and as I entered the universe of computers, I wanted to taste everything, I wanted to compile my Java projects on Ubuntu. I have been installing Windows from scratch for a very-long time on diferent configurations, so I thought it would not be such a hard task to download an ISO and setup a 700 MB OS. Actually, It was easy until I reached the partition setup. It was Ubuntu 9.10 and I was given an option to install aside my Windows, or do some custom actions. Of course, I chose custom and what was that? I understood it was showing my harddrive in a linear map. However, what was ext4, ext3, swap .. and the other file systems? I was clever enough to understand these were filesystems. When I saw swap, I understood that it should be something similar to the Windows swapping, but in Linux it should be on an another partition, and unlike Windows, they name it with /dev/sda1,2,3.. Fine, I setup my first Ubuntu ever. It was looking nice, even my function keys on laptop were working (the ones that matter of course, like volume up and down).
Nice interface, it was. (Yes, I like Yoda). However, when I opened the Firefox, it was not playing any Flash content. Okay, that’s closed source, so It was not installed. However, kind Firefox was asking me to chose a Flash alternative. I have chosed it did not work. I assumed it was due to my operating system being 64-bit (so I could use full of my 4gig RAM, like I would fill all of them) But I still remember, I have downloaded some file like, libflashplayer-10.0.45.2.linux-x86_64.so.tar.gz and tried manual install. Of course, I have failed.
And the updates? What the hell are libsjcca (Just writing gibberish names)
On another day, I was trying to install Java. I take a look at Ubuntu Software Center, however, it was not there. Don’t be suprised, I remember reading an article that indicates they did not include it YET, because of some disagreement. I did not know what was open-jdk6, but I installed it. Then I downloaded Netbeans. I thought it would be something exe or something that fires up the required installer (maybe the Ubuntu Software Center?) to install my Netbeans. But, it was a .sh file. After a quick search, I could find that I should install it like sh netbeans67.sh .. Fine, but I did not know sudo command, so I spent another 10 minutes to figure out that. Anyways, I installed Netbeans but It was asking for where was JDK. How the hell should I know? In some cryptic directories that I can never find out? Really, reducing the folder names to 3 letters is not such a good idea. You can survive If you say “variableData” instead of “var”. In the end, I could not find my open jdk installation. I googled how to install the original java, from the website maybe. I installed it and it was another sh file. It repacked my file to my /home/mustafa/Downloads/java6jdk. It could nicely ask where to put it right? However, when I opened the terminal to write java –version to verify my installation, nothing appeared. I looked at my laptop and said “Do not mess with me, I JUST INSTALLED IT!”. It seems that I needed something like path variable, but I did not do that, sorry. I searched for an alternative way to install my java and finally I could find this magic: sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk. Nice, it worked. At least my Netbeans could find it.
After a month, I needed to install MySQL. I do not actually want to remember it. But in short; I find it, installed it, I forgot my password, or used a special character in the installation, anyways, I wanted to uninstall it. Nice, for now, I installed applications to my Linux, but where the heck is uninstall? I could not find, as I installed it from command line, it did not appear on Software Center. So, I tried re-installing, It did not help. Then I reinstalled my Ubuntu, to start from scratch. I noted my successful steps, so I had success next time. I even installed Apache Tomcat, and developed my JSP+MySQL project for CS 102, with NetBeans without any problems.
Time passed, a nice summer has come, and I went to a different dormitory. In that building, the RJ-45 sockets were installed by a reckless person. He/she took the swapped 3rd little cable and the 8th one. We had special cables, no problem with Windows. But my Ubuntu was refusing to connect to the network. So I found out that, I was not using my vendor’s driver, I got their website to download it. Great, its another sh file. I used it, but it was giving an error, I searched the net for days, but there was no solution. I did not do anything until new term, and in November, I decided to check their website for a new driver, but there was none. But I submitted a bug report, and I got the right solution in a day. It was nice to see someone was interested to fix my bug. However, I lost many hours searching for another solution on the net.
Time passed again, and I bought a new 22” monitor for my laptop, to enlarge my vision. However, it was a pain to set up it too. I aligned my screens so that the monitor would be on right, and it would be connected to my laptop. However, my mouse was going rouge. Because I hoped it to treat like Windows; it should create 1366 x 768 + 1680×1050 regions. However, my precious Ubuntu created 1366 x1050 + 1680 x 1050 regions. I was mad. This is the stupidest idea. I had an ivisinle desktop with 200 pixels height, and my mouse was always lost. It may not seem like a such a big lost to you, but it’s annoying. And I aligned my smaler screen to be on the bottom. When I moved my smaller screen to top; It ruined my view; dividing my small screen to 2 regions, that I must move my mouse down to reach the top. These two are not the only problems; I had to reset my configuration at each boot, even I did the configuration with Gnome’s own tool and checked to apply it for all users. I was using a commadn like xrandr –primary … etc some cryptic stuff.
Ubuntu 11.04 has come out! And I installed it. Sorry, but Unity sucks. I do not need that big buttons. I am not blind. Secondly, I was losing control of my open applications. I know that is not an argument against Ubuntu. I changed it to login to old Gnome 2 interface. However, all my precious Compiz Fusion effects were gone. For the record; I did not chose “no effects” option. I installed restricted drivers, no help. I even installed ATI Catalyst drivers, no help. Indeed, It could not create a 3000×1050 region; I was mad. I do not remember, how I set them up, It was giving an error that the region is so big. But when I restarted my PC, everything was fine, in a weird way.
Sorry, but I do not enjoy using Linux. I did not try other distros, but this one is ought to be the most community supported one and that’s not enough. Let’s be honest, I sometimes have problems with my Windows too. I hate it sometimes, but the solution of it is usually handled from a nice interface, not terminal commands. It’s hard for me to remember xrandr –output VGA –mode 1280×1024 –pos 0×0 –output LVSD –mode 1400×1050 –pos 0×998 if a problem persists. Ability to use terminal to handle problems are very nice, but it’s the problems that drives me crazy. I am not a fanboy or anything, I use variety of products everytime, but Linux is complicated. It is not user friendly. I am capable of exploring my problems and solving them, even they are hard. Really, I am ambitious, I want my problem to be solved, so I can get use of my operating system. But, my mother is not. Even my sister is not. Even most of colleagues of me aren’t and won’t.
I admire the motivation behind the Linux, but I am stressed when I am using Linux. May be I am not experienced or smart enough to use Linux. Go there Linux fans, It may be fast, rock solid, more secure than Pentagon, reliable and not selling our confidential data to evil advertising companies. However, It would be better If It was easier for me, my mom and the others I care. I cannot imagine me trying to fix my mom’s Ubuntu on telephone.
Please note that; I am not a Microsoft-Fan and a Linux hater. I never do that. As an example, before writing this post I have waited 2 years, to gain enough experience with my Ubuntu to say that I do not like it.
I may use some Linux distro after years, maybe days after that post. But I do not feel comfortable using it. I agree, its secure, reliable, fast. No doubt on that, I assure you. But Linux is good for me, If I can keep continuing faster than I do in Windows, but I can’t.
I hope all the fanboys get the point before shouting at me. Title is “Why I don’t Like Using Linux (for now maybe)”, not “LINUX SUCKS” 
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