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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Just tried the latest elementary OS in VirtualBox and... is it supposed to be this obtuse? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I'm just screwing around with the OS, but I have to say, I'm a bit perplexed.

I wanted to install GIMP and LibreOffice, so I clicked on the AppCenter only to find out it couldn't find either of them. Which is bizzarre, because I can install both using apt just fine. As it turns out, the AppCenter only has 51 curated applications, completely ignoring the abundance of programs already available in the Ubuntu repositories, making the AppCenter a bit useless.

Then there's the desktop. I'm not entirely sure why I'm not allowed to have icons on it. macOS has desktop icons. As does Windows. Hell, almost every OS with a GUI does. Apparently, there's something called Elementary Tweaks which lets you enable them, but why would anyone have to jump through hoops to enable this basic functionality?

I guess I just don't understand who this OS is meant for.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 years ago (2 children)

macOS has desktop icons. As does Windows. Hell, almost every OS with a GUI does

It doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. I haven't used elementary, but I use Openbox as my window manager and that doesn't allow desktop icons either (lxde does, I believe and that uses Openbox as its window manager). It could be that you can use a different desktop environment, if icons are that important to you.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 years ago

You're right, but elementary is clearly targeting users who are familiar with the macOS interface. And as I've mentioned, macOS does allow you to use the desktop as a place to store shortcuts, documents, etc. That's why I find this design decision so baffling. If you're trying to accomodate former Apple users, why take that feature away from them?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago)

lxde does, I believe and that uses Openbox as its window manager

Yes they do, LXDE's file browser (pcmanfm) can display a folder "on the desktop" (and also a wallpaper iirc) if launched with --desktop