this post was submitted on 12 Aug 2023
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While I can definitely understand and respect that, ever since I had an experience where I had to dual-boot Windows for work reasons and the printer that just worked without issue in Linux required a three-digit MB download of a bloated driver-suite with borderline spyware included in Windows, I don't trust Windows to "just work" any more.
Not saying it's on-par with each other, there's probably still more fidgeting with Linux (haven't used Windows in ages, genuinely have no perspective any more), but that experience taught me that Linux isn't the short straw any more in every situation, like it definitely used to be a few years ago.
(Also, was amused when during a LAN party when we wanted to play classic Warcraft III a while back, mine ran in wine without issue, but for a friend we had to deep-dive into the registry because of some obscure problem that prevented it from starting at all in native Windows).
There are generic printer drivers that work fine on windows too. You generally don't need to get the manufacturers bloated driver/utility/update/subscription package. Also that's not really the OS' fault, it's the shitty printer vendors.
First point, i readily agree. I could not be bothered to search for any longer back then, but there most likely was a better alternative than going with the official driver suite.
Second point though - if the OS doesn't come with drivers that allow for a plug and play experience out of the box (like my Linux install, think it was Manjaro back then, did), I think that can be held against it. Shitty vendors harm the Linux experience all the time, and it is very often - legitimately as it can severely impact the user exerience - held against it.
Every one that bitches about Linux and plug-and-play always says it's Linux' fault for not working.
Now you say it's the vendors fault for not supporting Windows.
Make it make sense, other than 'I will defend my preferred option without logic'.
I remember building a PC with motherboard not supported by Windows, with drivers on a CD. Obviously I didn't have a CD drive, since why would I. Ubuntu supported it out of the box. Had way more success with printers on Linux than Windows. And god bless AMD.
When have I bitched about Linux? I've had a great experience with Mint, Debian, and Ubuntu. I use Linux, Windows and MacOS on a regular basis.
Some people just like to complain. Can't fix that.