Having to leave OpenMandriva; here's why

OK, this is my first post … and, likely, my last.

I’ve only been at it for a couple of weeks (trying to install OpenMandriva on a new PC), but I’m having to bail out (going back to LMDE), but want to pass along a few of the reasons I’m bailing (in the spirit of helping the distribution and helping others who might follow).

First, I want to confirm that I WAS able to download the Rock Slim ISO and install it with no issues, whatsoever (job well done; the Calamares installer is well-implemented). But it was after installing that I ran into problem after problem. As examples:

It was never clear why different software repositories and installers were presented, nor how to best use them.

Expected elements–like alternate desktop software–were never presented.

Adding a few application launcher icons to my desktop resulted in little arrow emblems being added to the desktop icon, with no apparent way to remove them. (On mint, for example, there is an ‘emblems’ choice.)

Adding some icons that I liked (e.g., Qogir theme) didn’t work at all.

Some things–like several of the system settings–did work as expected (I was eventually able to add Gparted to my installed software).

I want to mention that I’m not an absolute newbie with linux. I’ve installed mint (both versions) and zorin—and even peppermint—with no issues. In fact, I recommend that the OpenMandriva developers install and configure mint every now and then just to see the state of the art. In particular, I think mint’s software manager is as good as that aspect of adding software needs to be. It is focused (for the user) and unified for selecting compatible software.

The bottom line is that I have no hard feelings about trying OpenMandriva. But it is my conclusion that OM is not (yet) ready for prime time … and certainly not for anyone trying linux for the first time (“I thought so” comes to mind.) I’ll continue to monitor OM and hope to try it again, someday. I believe OM is on a good track–particularly the slim edition–and will eventually be a top-tier choice.

Additional point: for reasons I could never find, the OM forum uses its own forum software (and not phpBB, like everyone else). Indeed, this might be considered a plus, by some, but it is none-the-less an annoyance for most people.

Thanks for listening.

I would have welcomed you like we do with all newcomers, but probably it’s not the case.

It would have been more profitable if you had started some topics asking for support so we could have assisted you with your issues or questions.

This is not our own forum software, it’s Discourse, a very modern and featured tool, while phpBB is old obsolete stuff.
“everyone else” who?
The KDE forum, is just the first coming to my mind, for example?

Thank you for your feedback.

Moved to Coffee break category, since this is definitely not a Support request.

Did you bother to look through the Welcome app that opens by default?
In it is a section called Configure. One of those tabs is “Desktop”
Installing themes & Icons, Fonts. Cosmic, LXQT, MauiShell & Gnome desktop is clearly presented there.

Thank you for your suggestions and attempts to turn OpenMandriva into Mint.
OpenMandriva is very much ready for prime time. Just as much as Mint is.
But it is NOT Mint.
It is NOT Zorin.
It is NOT Peppermint.
Seriously, have you gone to Apple and told them that they aren’t ready for prime time because Mac doesnt look and act like Window’s or FreeBSD?

Really? phpBB? LMAO!

OpenMandriva is actually way better for someone trying Linux for the first time and not Mint or Zorin.

1. The user actually learns Linux and how it works along the same lines as they would using Arch.
2. People that jump onto Mint or Zorin are only being spoon fed how Linux works drip by drip. They never actually get their feet wet with the real OS.
3. Linux is NOT window or mac and people who keep trying to make it be are the ones holding it back from desktop adoption. New user need to understand first and foremost that Linux is not what they are used to. They need the mindset to learn a new way of getting things done and a lot of alternative software that is just as good if not much better than the proprietary, data vacuum software of windows and mac.

Enough said.

This is a very large post of unreasonable expectations. You also don’t need to announce your departure like this is the airport.

If you just wanted to use OMLx and never interact with us then it probably would have been better to use the distro you came from. It would be nice to have people show up that want to be a part of this process and help OMLx get better by giving back, instead of choosing Linux because it being no cost provides a better moral value to them.

OP’s entire post was just saying that they are accustomed to Cinnamon and don’t know how to use KDE.

I think I’m gonna stop using OML because I don’t like the font the clock uses.
OML could have used a prettier font for the clock, just like everybody else!

I will admit that I have not installed Mint is over four years, so I don’t remember what the peak Linux experience is actually like.

this needs to be in linux is toxic.

Ok, I know that everybody else is waiting for this

OpenMandriva is not <put your distro here>

I am waiting XLibre in OM 7 to install here. I like Mint XFCE too.

I wait too someone in Brazil to help me nstall PjeOffice on OM.

I think this problem should have been listed as well:

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo: apt: command not found

This may be a problem to list as well:

$ sudo pacman -Syu
sudo: pacman: command not found

Why does OM not have cmd?
Used to…

C:\>

I get that OM is not Mint, or that Linux is not Windows, etc. But most people don’t need to get an intimate understanding of the inner workings of the OS to be productive with it. And not everyone is eager to learn about any of this, either. A computer is a tool, after all. Making it easy for those who just want to get some work done is very valuable, and that’s what Linux Mint and similar distributions provide.

People that want that experience should probably just use the OS they came from, then. You don’t see us going to other distro project forums and pretending to care about how much better their distros would be if they were more like OMLx.

Things like this are always because they are no cost. When you don’t value something, you don’t care how it works as long as when it’s available to you, it will be exploited. I know plenty of people that ruin their tools (not just computers) by not taking care of them.

The perfect OS is still to come.
The best OS is what fit best to you (everyone).

Different users also have different needs.
Given there are plenty of distributions out there, each one with their own philosophy and tools, one just has to try/test some of them and pick the preferred one.

Exactly, this is what I mean

Sometimes, people just want things to work without having to learn everything about it. Think about those who are not particularly tech savvy, don’t have the time, etc.

I’ve seen it myself when installing Linux for some of my friends and family members. I know they don’t really care about anything else besides a working tool, so I reached for Linux Mint, and they liked it.

I don’t disagree with you here, but basically every reply on this thread strikes as being on the defensive. OP clearly misunderstood the way OM works. That’ fine, but it’s possible to point out where the reasons stated are flawed without reaching for ridicule and mocking.

Taking criticism can be tough but we can still have a conversation about it.

@rugyada said it much better than I did. It’s all about what you need and what works for you.

Seriously speaking, I feel that it’s the Original Post to be riducule. So probably felt many of us, reason why we have joked a bit.

User @context did not give us the possibility to do so, because he/she/they/whatever never started any support request.
I will disregard their comments on how good is Mint, how our forum s**ks, and the likes.

IMO they should have started with:
“I’m a new user, coming from Mint so I know nothing about your distro. I find this and that issue, any help?”
“Can you please explain me why [whatever]?”
“Can you please tell me how [whatever]?”

Frankly I tend to believe the purpose of the OT was just to troll. I can’t find any other reason otherwise…

For what it worth mention it, I’ve used Mint for some time, before they decided to drop the KDE edition, and I very much liked it. But that was long time ago.

I resent you giving all the freedom to speak to the one criticising after spending no time or energy to work with us to address things. I also do not appreciate you telling me how I should speak to others. It’s text on a screen, and anything else derived from that is your issue.

There is a conversation about issues, and there is wiping your ass with someone else’s hard work you didn’t pay for because it wouldn’t address all your needs. We do not force or lock in anyone to using OMLx. We do expect people to do more than just consume it especially if they run into problems. The rest of the distro suffers when they don’t.