this post was submitted on 27 Mar 2026
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Why sometimes Linux is hard to switch to (piefed.social)
submitted 20 hours ago by BandanaBug@piefed.social to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Normally I always forget why I still keep thinking about switching back to Windows. Today was a great reminder. Linux can be frustrating. This post is somewhat about awareness and partly about me learning about other peoples experiences. I updated my CachyOS as usual. There were some system packages upgraded and I got the notification to reboot. Figuring I'd do it later I left after some time and the PC went to sleep. Upon returning the screen stayed black. Even upon forced reboot. Remembering I was using Limine with BTRFS snapshots I tried multiple previous snapshots but to no avail. I remember this happened before. So now I face another reinstall.. This and having to dive into the deep end of terminal commands to get drivers, programs or games working can be quite frustrating. I understand why people are turned off and go back to Windows..

Onto NixOS for me. A big dive but it seems very stable which might be just what i need. I feel like the philosophy of NixOS combined with a graphical store to install programs and what not seems like a great solution.

What would your ultimate distro be like?

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[–] SecondComingOfPheusie@programming.dev 6 points 19 hours ago (2 children)

Why sometimes Linux is hard to switch to

Switching is easy. Sticking to it is harder and involves relearning most of your activities in a new context.

So now I face another reinstall…

I'd honestly think that CachyOS was more 'sturdy'. Though, I suppose it's curious that you don't mention anything about your troubleshooting attempts. Beyond your rollbacks in hopes of resolving the issue*. If you don't like/want to (learn to) troubleshoot, then reconsider if CachyOS is your home.

FWIW, over (almost) 4 years of Fedora Atomic, I was only once 'forced' to reinstall; which happened in the first week (or so). And that was 100% a user error.

This and having to dive into the deep end of terminal commands to get drivers, programs or games working can be quite frustrating.

This isn't recognizable to me. Would you be so kind to clarify/elaborate? Perhaps with an example even?

I understand why people are turned off and go back to Windows…

The only time I felt this, was when I just cold-turkey switched to Fedora Silverblue and bashed my head to the wall when trying to implement Madaidan's hardening 😅. But, again, that was just very naive.

Onto NixOS for me.

NixOS is definitely based. So go for it.

What would your ultimate distro be like?

Stateless, and hardened AF. So, probably an amalgamation between your favorite security-focused Linux (be it secureblue or Qubes OS) and NixOS for its impermanence module.

[–] BandanaBug@piefed.social 1 points 22 minutes ago

Yes you're totally right. It's like owning a race car. You have to do a lot of maintenance to it and it will still bite you in the ass but when it works right it's fast as hell and a lot of fun. But on the other hand: if there's no downside to built in some failsafes then why not do it?

[–] BandanaBug@piefed.social 1 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

Sticking to it is harder and involves relearning most of your activities in a new context.

True. That's already a speedbump in the road. But that's to be expected when switching to a different OS.

I suppose it's curious that you don't mention anything about your troubleshooting attempts. Beyond your rollbacks in hopes of resolving the issue*. If you don't like/want to (learn to) troubleshoot, then reconsider if CachyOS is your home.

Troubleshooting is no issue. But not having a picture does not help lol. Perhaps using a live USB might fix it. But then again, that probably involves messing with kernel settings or whatever. Seems quite involved for a simple update..

This isn't recognizable to me. Would you be so kind to clarify/elaborate? Perhaps with an example even?

Depends. I had issues with Bluetooth chips. That's the fault of the manufacturer, not Linux but still. My Xbox controller was difficult to connect at times. I've had installs with audio issues or difficulties playing games because Lutris or Bottles wouldn't work..

[–] SecondComingOfPheusie@programming.dev 2 points 14 hours ago

Thanks for the response!

But not having a picture does not help lol. Perhaps using a live USB might fix it. But then again, that probably involves messing with kernel settings or whatever. Seems quite involved for a simple update…

I 100% agree with you. But we shouldn't ignore that CachyOS -at the end of the day- is still just Arch. And, within its excellent Wiki, we find the following "Warning" in the section concerning upgrading packages:

"Users are expected to follow the guidance in the System maintenance#Upgrading the system section to upgrade their systems regularly and not blindly run the following command."

If we follow the link, we find within the second paragraph the following important reminder:

"Make sure to have the Arch install media or another Linux 'live' CD/USB available so you can easily rescue your system if there is a problem after updating."

Kinda on the nose, don't you think 😅? So, to be clear:

  • I agree that reaching out to a live USB after a simple update is kinda bonkers.
  • Yet, I acknowledge that that's basically within expectations for Arch.
  • Hence, I don't use Arch^[Of course, like most of us, I've dabbled into Arch. But I just called it quits after the second random bork. Perhaps it's a skill issue; I don't know.]. And perhaps you shouldn't either...

My Xbox controller was difficult to connect at times.

Thanks for clarifying! But, is this still related to issues with Bluetooth chips?

I’ve had installs with audio issues

Sorry, I simply can't relate; simply, because I thankfully can't recall being bothered with any such occurrence.

difficulties playing games because Lutris or Bottles wouldn’t work…

This, however, I can relate to. I've noticed that installing through one of the storefronts -be it GOG^[Heroic Games Launcher does very well at this.], Steam, Epic^[Again, I can vouch for Heroic Games Launcher.] (etc)- is a much better experience. And even if you don't own it through any of the aforementioned platforms. Chances are that both the Steam client AND Heroic Games Launcher will do a splendid job at running the game. To be clear, I've use both Lutris and Bottles in the past; the latter quite extensively even*.