@neil I would say that there is a certain amount of #AppleEnvy at #Microsoft and #Google right now.

A #WalledGarden allows higher #Rent and cheapens compliance with legislation that attempts to restrict what users can do.

Open source - and thus backdoor-free - VPNs and e2ee are probably being targeted as preemptive obedience to future laws.

@tomstoneham @neil to be fair it's quite easy for people to leave windows and switch to linux.

A lot of gaming is already happening on linux and I am astonished when like >60 people working in non-tech jobs are talking about linux distributions

@saxnot @tomstoneham

> it's quite easy for people to leave windows and switch to linux.

For *some* people, sure.

For a lot of people, probably not, sadly.

@neil
This is an 'argument' I always refuse to accept.

It assumes that Windows and Mac users are proficient at using their respective operating systems to the point that they 1) can install and configure it independently, and 2) are able to troubleshoot and solve their own problems. It also suggests that only on Linux they would run into trouble, and become dependent on a third party.

The reality, in my experience, is rather different. Most users don't have a clue how to install their OS, as in all likelihood it came pre-installed with their system. Most people will call a friend or family member to help with a computer problem, or search the internet for instructions they don't actually understand. To them, computers are nothing more than a tool, much like their car. And their car, they take to a mechanic, even for the smallest thing they could do themselves.

Switching to Linux poses the same issues as switching from Windows to macOS (and vice versa).

1/2

@saxnot @tomstoneham