Okay. So. I guarantee you that most Windows users—especially ones on Fedi—know how fucked up Windows has become. Bombarding them with "Install #Linux, we have cookies!" propaganda isn't going to send them rushing to download an image and flash it to a usb drive to install.

They know Windows is a nightmare, they want the nightmare to stop. But there are a lot of reasons stopping them from installing Linux.

One of the biggest ones is that even as Linux has gotten easier and easier to install, it's still a really big step for a lot of people. Maybe they only have one computer, and can't risk slagging it if they mess up. Maybe they don't even know where to start backing up their data. Google and the other search engines are returning AI slop, so they can't trust those to give them accurate and useful answers.

So instead of trying to convince them they want to switch, we need to help them find the resources necessary to do so
if they decide they're ready. We need to be the opposite of all those fucking RTFM bros that made it hard when we first switched. We need to make sure they can find a helpful community to give them the support to feel safe in switching.

Because yeah, Windows fucking sucks. They know that, we know that. But breaking their computer so it works even less is fucking terrifying, and Linux has a fucking PR problem because the RTFM bros are the loudest members of our community.

Edit: this really resonated while I was asleep, and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one frustrated here. A few people have replied asking for help, and I'll try to boost them later when I get back to the computer, but if you can, please help them out. Not everyone is gonna switch, but let's make it better for those who are ready and willing to make the jump.

@deathkitten 1/2 As a 40 year DOS and Windows power user...let me say that the RTFM people kept me from every learning more linux than I needed to keep a couple of simple websites up and running. And even that was painful.

A year ago I went with Mint at home, and yes, it hurt. But so much is so much BETTER and EASIER than Windows; it's worth the time it takes to find good assistance when needed. It's out there. It can be done. In short order you will become comfortable.

@deathkitten 2/2 And let me add this...it's not just the RTFM guys you're fighting, it's the command line purists. That's fine, let them do what they do. You don't have to do that. I have to say that 99% of what I do in a terminal is copied and pasted, provided by someone who really does want to make life easy for all of us who have recently migrated.

Ignore the grumps. Don't worry. Everything you do on Windows is done in remarkably the same way with analogous 'nix apps. It's going to be okay.