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Comment by triMichael

3 months ago

While I haven't had this issue with Gmail, I recently got a new computer and the first two weeks for full of moments like this. It's shocking to me how much we've let popups go rampant on everything. Perhaps the worst offender is Windows update, as it won't even let you use your own computer without clicking through 10 screens refusing all sorts of products they are trying to push on you.

61 comments

triMichael

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coldpie  3 months ago

I know everyone's tired of hearing this, but this doesn't happen on Linux. I know I know, it's different and a little janky here and there and maybe you have to find a replacement for one or two pieces of software. But like, you don't actually have to put up with this. There is a better way.

  • kraquepype  3 months ago

    I recently built 2 mini PCs for my kids to play games on, and went with Bazzite.

    It was really surprising how put together it all is. The steam integration is seamless and it can play a ton of stuff even on an older NUC w/out a GPU.

    It was the first time I can say that installing a linux OS was easier and friendlier than Windows.

    • Gormo  2 months ago

      > It was the first time I can say that installing a linux OS was easier and friendlier than Windows.

      I'd say that from work experience managing an IT department that maintains and deploys both Windows and Linux machines, the administrative overhead involved in working with Windows first exceeded that of Linux at some point in the Windows 10 life cycle -- at least five years ago. Since then, Windows has been getting worse and worse, and Linux has been getting better and better.

      With most corporate software being accessible via the web and/or being cross-platform these days, we're seriously debating moving the standard corporate workstation configuration to Linux.

    • wholinator2  3 months ago

      It's only getting easier and friendlier comparatively. Recently i bought a new computer and installing an external drive and putting kde linux on it was easier than fighting my way through the windows telemetry gauntlet, the setting, and all the bloat. Modern windows disgusts me continuously in new ways

      4 replies →

  • andrekandre  3 months ago

    using linux feels like macos back in the mid-2000s and windows (in a good way) in the early 2000s, like its some kind "operating system" for you to do things instead of being advertised to...

    its such a breath of fresh air

  • supertroop  3 months ago

    Doesn’t happen on mac either, right?

    • justaregulanerd  3 months ago

      Coming from 10 years of Linux to macOS, Apple deserves praise for this point too.

      I don't use Apple Intelligence, Safari, or Siri on my Mac, and I'm extremely happy to report that Apple does not nag me to use these features at all. THANK YOU APPLE.

      Windows would open Edge for random reasons instead of my preferred browser to nudge me to use it, Cortana was a constant reminder in W10 because it was part of Windows Search, and of course, we all know how they push Copilot.

      Apple isn't perfect (iCloud is fine on macOS, but iOS is quite misleading and often defaults to on even if you really don't want it), but overall my Mac respects my wishes as a user and it makes me look forward to using my computer as a tool.

      1 reply →

    • jasonfarnon  3 months ago

      I can't get my ipad to shut up about iCloud storage. At least with windows I know how to turn that stuff off (worse case registry fix). I have no idea how to hack Apple's stuff.

      1 reply →

    • a96  2 months ago

      Macos absolutely has incessant random popups everywhere. Not exactly the same kind, of course.

    • sethops1  3 months ago

      Ehh Apple has been self promoting their own services directly in the OS for a while now, including popups via notifications.

  • PennRobotics  2 months ago

    I wish I could fully agree. Canonical is a bit pushy: "Ubuntu Pro / ESM subscription will make your machine safer! and it is convenient mega free!! ((for non-business uses))"

    Workplace very strictly requires Ubuntu LTS for toolchain & compatibility reasons, otherwise I'd run Debian or Fedora or Tumbleweed with Ubuntu containers/VMs where needed.

    Nonetheless, Linux popups and promotions (even from enterprise distros) are not nearly as bad as the Windows 11 experience.

  • bossyTeacher  3 months ago

    It's hilarious seeing people complain about Microsoft when a free alternative exists. Humans are really curious creatures.

    • elictronic  3 months ago

      Up until very recently gaming is the only thing keeping my l and millions of others main pc from being Linux or Mac. I dual booted in the past but was annoyed. With all the work steam has put in I’m personally about 6 months out from just dumping Microsoft on all my personal products.

      It’s impressive they have dropped the ball so hard that it’s causing a complete rethink for so many users like myself. Bullet >> golden goose.

      5 replies →

    • gaiagraphia  3 months ago

      People will passionately tell each other to vote for [$moralParty], then willingly prop up companies which go against everything they stand for the very next day. Curious indeed.

      1 reply →

  • Our_Benefactors  3 months ago

    [flagged]

PyWoody  3 months ago 

  Does Microsoft understand consent?
  
  [ ] Yes
  [ ] Ask again later

bee_rider  3 months ago

It’s less surprising with Windows.

Google really was competent in the 2005-2020 era (probably further on the left, that’s just as far as I remember).

I don’t think Microsoft has seriously disappointed anybody paying attention since 2012 or so.