I do agree with a lot of what you’re saying.

Linux has historically been a space for tech people and so the default assumption is that the user is competent (jokes aside…) and capable of understanding technical writing.

So, naturally, if a person asks a question which is answered in the documentation then they’re reminded that the answers exist already in the expected places and asking other people to do your own research for you rude.

The Linux demographic is shifting and we need to adjust, but cultural norms change slowly.

and they’re looking for friendly alternatives.

I think that this is part of the trap that keeps people stuck in the spyware/enshittification market.

Technology is complicated.

Try to imagine, from a technical point of view, how complex it is to run a service like Netflix. There are a lot of highly trained people designing, managing and maintaining the various systems to run the service that lets a user touch a picture on their phone screen to see a movie.

The user has an easy, friendly experience but that’s only because Netflix handles all of the complexity. This seems like a good deal initially. I mean, $10 $12 $15 $19.99/mo is a good price to pay to not have to know how to do all of that.

But, now the user is completely dependent on service providers to stand between them and the complexity of technology so they never have a chance to learn because they never see how anything works.

This Faustian bargain is what lets these companies continue to spy on people and jack up the price of services while offering less service. Where are the users going to go?

Linux and the open source community offer a different bargain. You have to learn how to do things for yourself, but now you have actual meaningful choices about how you use technology and a community of people who are trying to solve the same problems as you.

Sure, it isn’t as easy. But easy isn’t free, and I’m tired of paying what they want to charge.