Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks.

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - :gif_pikachu_hi:

:gif_pikachu_hi: — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 23:36:05 GMT

@stefanheinz @gbryant Oh well, that makes sense. I'm more like an apple user I guess

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - Stefan H.

Stefan H. — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:35:35 GMT

@Simx72 @gbryant every single windows user expects it to paste. Sorry but not pasting is the unpopular opinion and should not be the default

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - :gif_pikachu_hi:

:gif_pikachu_hi: — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 04:57:17 GMT

@stefanheinz @gbryant Well. I wouldn't like to paste it inmediately. But I agree that the first time I saw it, it was confusing, maybe adding a copied to clipboard notification or "toast", like copy buttons usually do in web pages.

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - eric

eric — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:37:04 GMT

@atro_city@fedia.io "Having a version with windows UI" is not what he is saying. Software should work for people who are coming from windows, have the knowledge level of windows. This does not mean copy everything Microsoft did.

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - atro_city

atro_city — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:11:49 GMT

That means when we're having a conversation about designing a User Experience on Linux-based operating systems, that conversation must be bookended by "how do Windows users expect this to work?" And we need to design for that or else everything falls apart.

Nah. I disagree with that premise. It sounds like a bandwagon argument (a fallacy). "Because many people do X, we must do it too". If we all put our fingers on nails and hammered both nails to "increase efficiency", it'd be wrong. Just because Microslop has a popular UI, doesn't mean we should copy everything of it because it's popular.

Also claiming that because it comes from a UX/UI designer is just an argument from authority, which is a fallacy.

Linux allows experimentation. Having a version with a windows UI is fine and can help newcomers get accustomed to it, but that doesn't mean it's the end all be all. And making a blanket statement that "Linux UX sucks" is plain wrong.

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - everything-eventually-will-be-free

everything-eventually-will-be-free — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:42:53 GMT

I think...

Firstly each distro should have a detailed 'style guide' for applications and only list in their software stores apps that comply. Obviously it would also be best if most distros require the same style guide...

That could solve the white text on white button type problems.

As far as wizards go for things like mapping network drives or formatting a drive. You can keep the underlying code the same, just give the noob a simpler version that walks them through the necessary steps most people need. You can keep the current clunky versions for the people that like or know them as a config option.

And the things the software don't make easy, like mapping a network drive... Then ffs you can at least add in a simple GUI tool in the ... err systems tools section or at least somewhere. After all is not half the job of the distro to give you the tools you need to do stuff on your system.

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - Voxel

Voxel — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:40:22 GMT

Not everyone is a software developer. Constructive critism is valid. He is sharing his opinion with examples of other people's experience, there is nothing wrong with it.

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - Stefan H.

Stefan H. — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:31:26 GMT

@gbryant reminds me of my discussion on the kde forums that when clicking an item in the clipboard history window opened with Super+V, it should paste the contents of that item into the already focused text element. Because right now it just closes with no feedback and only copies that content into your clipboard, requiring you to manually paste it. Emoji picker works the same

And then there's people actually defending this saying "it's just linux being different". Yeah, it's linux being worse

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - Crash

Crash — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:56:39 GMT

As the comedy/musical group Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie said in the early aughts: "Every OS Sucks."
(I wish I could find their song somewhere other than YouTube to share it here.)

The benefit Linux has is that it in theory should have more forces in play to help it improve. A video like this is more likely to spark change than the same style of video criticizing MacOS, Win, or ChromeOS UX. I remain hopeful, but also I teach small children so my optimism is bolstered. Possibly, to unrealistic levels.

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - Maât

Maât — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:33:28 GMT

@gbryant

1) The original link : https://gardinerbryant.com/hammers-without-handles-linux-ux-sucks/

2) the idea of the mounting wizard is not a bad one

3) why hell did the author feel the urge to say linux UI suck instead of "hey guys i have an idea to improve this..."

4) CONTRIBUTION WELCOME ! Please provide your patch to Dolphin and Nautilus instead of badmouthing.

Hammers Without Handles: Why Linux UX Sucks. - nwoof

nwoof — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:27:18 GMT

imo there are always two completely different directions when it comes to UI/UX. The first one is user specialized. This has the benefit of fitting the user like a fine glove, the downside is that the user should learn it and make it themselves. Therefore the useful thing to do in that case is to provide more tools for the user. It's obvious that's not useful for new users. The second one is to make something which most people already know. The obvious downside is that it's not that efficient for the skill user, because very opinionated decisions has to be made. The benefit is that the user is expected to already have the intuition for what to be expected. In that case the obvious path is to copy something well known. If you want to appeal to broad group of users you should use the second approach.