Not sure if this is a big deal or not, but it sounded good. Also in the article there was something about a “one-button Linux installer, based on Debian.” No details.
One button to install Linux? Sounds great to me. More people would be more likely to try Linux if it was that easy to install.
Here is a link to the web page if you care to read more about it.
That is a winner.
The other interesting thing that article says is that you can trust Linux because it is democratic … every user is reviewing a distro and every user has a say. Nothing nefarious could ever escape our combined scrutiny.
When I remember what it was like trying to install Debian back in the '90s (with a stress on the word try), I think this is a great story and I hope it’s true. The easier it is to install Linux, the better!
The context isn’t just about “Linux” - it’s specifically about installing Debian on a Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 processor system (i.e. arm64/aarch64)…
Those Snapdragon arm64 SOC are neck to neck with Apple Silicon performance… But I believe Qualcomm have a bunch of proprietary stuff in their arm64 implementation (as do Apple) - so you can’t just install some release of Linux for arm64/aarch64 like e.g. Armbian or DietPi… They obviously (Qualcomm) give Microsoft and Lenovo access to all that proprietary stuff so you can get Windows on arm64…
It looks like Armbian are working on Snapdragon support for things like the arm / snapdragon equipped Thinkpads - but doesn’t sound quite ready, yet…
We have been having this discussion for the last 20 years … It’s always coming about to happen this year but we get not much closer … In most cases debian versions, mint, ubuntu etc have been just one click installs for years, ok it asks user name password etc just like windows does when you buy a new machine.
Big problem is still getting a copy of linux, creating boot media then trying to boot it due to system protection which puts so many off.
We also don’t help ourselves even on this site by trying to use strange difficult versions that need command line help. Currently there are 2 or 3 on going questions today about installing x version. Imagine a new user reading these items, enough to put you off using. Even when I read the items I think NO, WHY
A big problem there is all, the bad advice that is around about how to put an .iso on a usb drive.
There are so many utilities around (Etcher, Rufus, Ventoy,…) and they are all crappy because they try to guess what you want and make mistakes.
We need a user-friendly frontend for dd … … no options, just copy an .iso file exactly. One button if you like,but no options, no choices, just do it.
There is only one way to copy an iso file exactly, and that is to copy it exactly.
The biggest problem regarding “the year of the Linux desktop” is that not enough manyfacturers are offering computers with Linux pre-installed. Especially in physical stores.
The argument often goes something like this:
“Users want Windows.” This is not true, though. People want a computer to use and not having to think.
The “year of the Linux desktop” will come when more stores start offering computers with Linux pre-installed, without making them more expensive than the same computer with Windows.
Your “one size fits all” philosophy is not for me thanks. … too much like Microsoft .
The variety of Linux distros is one of its strengths … lose that and you lose learning opportunities and entertainment and the security provided by redundancy.
I can see the need for a newbie front window, but you can have that without killing off everything else.
Not suggesting we go down that road but a nice easy to install and use would perhaps make it a simple start process
Let’s face it. The “Year of Linux” for home consumers is very far off and may never happen for 2 very good reasons.
Linux is not per-installed and the switch over from Windows for a non technical person is not easy.
When I try to convince users to swap to Linux they don’t understand that most web sites are hosted on Linux as is their car system police fire ambulance tax government services on Linux they just say no it’s on Google…
Which is a 100% Linux shop.
Most of my clients don’t understand the internet they just talk about google or L’AI now no idea what is behind it no matter how hard I try
OS’s are invisible-ware. Try selling something they can see or feel … like a computer driven by Linux. Microsoft and Apple turn their software into something material. Linux has to do the same. No good putting Linux in a traditional Microsoft PC … a Linux PC has to look different, even if it is the same inside.
I would even go farther and say most people don’t care about what drives the internet or drives their PC. I believe moat people use their PC as a tool and as long as the tool gets the job done, they are satisfied.
Kind of like the old saying, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it?”
You can stimulate their care by making the driving software visible. We need a linux PC with a unique look that people can identify . Penguin inside.
Genuine desktops are in danger of disappearing. Who has a desk? They all use laptops and tablets. A penguin desktop might be like a high powered horse and cart.
I used to use “dd”…
But prefer Balena Etcher these days…
It’s a piece of cake to use - no brainer… I certainly wouldn’t call it “crappy”. Much MUCH easier to make mistakes with dd… I have tried Ventoy several times with mixed success - enough unsuccess that I won’t use it…
If I’m imaging an SD card or USB drive for Raspberry Pi - I use their image writer…
Eh? That sounds fraught with risk - i.e. just like in ‘dd’ if you accidentally output to the wrong device - you can hose your system…
Balena Etcher actually identifies the various media you have inserted in your computer - and even has things like the manufacter strings / storage model - i.e. human friendly labelling (instead of just /dev/sda).
Hidden devices :
What I am complaining about is that programs like Ventoy do more than just copy an iso file. Once they offer choice they promote mistakes.
All copy programs have the problem of accidentally writing to the wrong disk … it is not exclusive to dd. Yes some try to protect you … I find that an annoying distraction.
I use Balena Etcher and Fedora Media writer both of them find the USB you got set in the PC USB port at least for me they do the job great
If you have a recipe that works , stick to it… dont vary any settings.
