5 Things LINUX MINT Objectively Does Better Than WINDOWS 11
TLDW of this video from ChatGPT
The video highlights the following main points about why Linux Mint is considered better than Windows 11:
Start Menu and Customization:
Linux Mint's menu is more organized and customizable than Windows 11's start menu. It offers three columns, resizable icons, and customizable labels.
Taskbar (Panel) Features:
Linux Mint's panel is more flexible, allowing repositioning, resizing, and creation of additional panels. Applets enhance functionality, offering features like quick desktop access and window behavior customization.
Privacy and Telemetry:
Linux Mint is privacy-focused, avoiding telemetry. Certain apps' telemetry can be manually disabled. Windows 11 is criticized for lacking privacy.
Bloatware and Pre-installed Apps:
Linux Mint has minimal bloatware, including useful tools or open-source alternatives. Windows 11 can have cluttered start menus with unwanted icons.
Batch File Renaming and Management:
Linux Mint's file management includes advanced batch renaming with insertion, removal, and case conversion. Windows 11 lacks similar features.
Security (Future Topic):
Security is mentioned as a potential future topic, with Linux Mint considered more privacy-oriented than Windows 11. Discussions about security are acknowledged.
The narrator encourages viewer engagement and discussion on the covered topics.
I mean imo everything about Windows is terrible. But I don't think you're going to win (lol) anyone over with debates, at least no one who doesn't already complain about Windows. I think the main reasons people use Windows are:
Ubiquity (they use it at work, at the library, and at home)
Familiarity (it's what they grew up with)
Barrier to entry (the average person doesn't have to install windows. And even if they do it's a lot less painful than installing a Linux distro)
Gaming (this is sliding a little bit but many many people still install windows on a homebrew tower specifically for gaming)
Ubiquity will have a hard time changing as long as Microsoft continues to bastardize their own products for the sake of B2B relationships. Familiarity is a chance of history so that's kinda up to you to get your kids into what you like. Barrier to entry is a systemic issue with the Linux and FOSS communities at large and I genuinely don't see this changing anytime soon (and I'm not just speaking culturally although that's an issue too). And gaming, well we all know the Linux gaming community has been slowly but steadily growing for a while now, cue the steamdeck enjoyers
Ok. Now, change the audio bit rate in the GUI? You can try any Linux you like.
The Lack of functions in the GUI to configure Hardware devices is a serious problem for Linux. You can't Configure anything on your AMD graphics card, set sleep timeout of you wireless game controller, or enable HDR.
I'm currently having a good time in Arch but I'm frustrated that GUI controls for basic stuff is still missing. Most of this stuff has been in Windows for decades.
Rather focusing on the how customisable the desktop environment is, they need to focus on making Hardware configuration easier.
Security (Future Topic): Security is mentioned as a potential future topic, with Linux Mint considered more privacy-oriented than Windows 11. Discussions about security are acknowledged.
Is Wayland support finally actively worked on, or is it still postponed?
I found it mildly funny reading this, I've not been using vanilla windows 10 for quite a while, but have resorted to sticking plasters to get the same effects as mint (start10, fences, and powertoys). It's very true, out the box all that's baked into mint, and with the privacy etc.
I heartily miss Mint/Xubuntu, but am cursed with my interests being in game development and audio. :) one of these years...
1& 2: These are the kinds of things that appeal to people with OCD and enthusiasts with more time than work to do. And for the former, more customization can be destructive to productivity. Most people just want to sit down and either get work done or get their game open - not sit for hours customizing the interface.
I rarely ever use my taskbar and start menu on Windows because I can hit the start key and type to find the thing I want. Linux can do that too, but you're focusing instead on finnicky customization. Most people have a cluttered desktop for a reason - nobody cares or has the time to properly organize their shit. I would suggest focusing on the real performance and productivity benefits of Linux.
3: The only people that care about telemetry are those that already hate Microsoft and already use Linux. Most Windows users couldn't give two shits that Microsoft uses their anomymized usage data to fix bugs and evaluate feature adoption. Also, the only way to avoid telemetry is if the only servers you ever access are in your basement.
4: I agree that Windows is really obnoxious about the bullshit they're putting on even base Windows install, but it takes me like 5 minutes to go through add/remove programs. You know what takes me longer than 5 minutes? Getting any non-standard hardware working on Linux, and even some software, and often because the base OS is missing something or has some box unchecked because a FOSS enthusiast has opinions.
5: Not enough people are aware of the fantastic set of freeware MS makes called PowerToys. PowerRenamer actually handles this gap for me. I feel like it should be included with windows but alas, some people would probably consider it "bloatware".
6: MS certainly has issues in this regard, but I'm curious to know how Linux Mint actually faires. Consumer-focused distros tend to benefit from their low adoption rate and don't get hammered by attacks like Windows and RHEL derivatives do. But I'll freely agree that most Linux distros tend to be more secure by default. That said, does it really matter to the average Windows user? No it doesn't. Because the biggest security issue for both Windows and Linux is actually the user - not an OS flaw. Even a default Windows environment is normally secure enough for most users.
Points 3 and 4 can be eliminated by using debloating script. That's what I did. No more Cortana, Edge, Xbox, telemetry working in background and 0 preinstalled apps.
This is all fine for some, but i am happy with most personalization options provided by windows 10. The only thing missing is the ability to close window by middle clicking on its taskbar item (common, we can already close browser tabs this way, it's common sense). In window i use a taskbar tweaker app and i wasn't able to find a similar setting for Linux.
Probably even more annoying is how linux desktop hijacks most hot keys. I use Pycharm and couldn't use any key combinations that involve ALT key because somehow Ubuntu thought that key should be dedicated to moving the window. I eas not able to find a place to disable it. This was back in (or before) 2018. I haven't really tried linux as a daily driver since then.