An article published in iTWire titled “Opinion: why Linux sucks at being user friendly” has been drawing a lot of attention recently. I am going to start by responding to each of the author’s points and then pointing out what I think the overall problem is.

1. The only specific detail stated in this point is the accusation that Linux updates tend to break your system. I don’t know what software the author is using, but I have never had a Linux update break my system.
2. The second point states that Linux heavily protects the system, while leaving the user’s data open to attack. That may be true, but (1) there are no viruses in the wild for desktop Linux as far as I know and (2) viruses do not usually trash user’s files. There is little point in this. Instead, they use the computer to send spam, join a botnet, spy on the user, etc. Finally, how could you protect the user’s data without seriously annoying them?
3. I don’t compile software from source. I just don’t. And I get along just fine.
4. On help files, he may be right. I don’t have enough experience with built in help to know.
5. This is the one that really bothers me. The author claims that in order to use a flash drive, you have to go to the terminal and mount it. I just tried it right now. You plug in the flash drive and it pops up a window with the files on it open, just as he said it should.

I think the overall problem is this: the claims are not specific enough. The author may be right that Linux has a usability problem, but after reading his post, I have no idea what the problem is or how to fix it. If the author has made a list of specific problems with Linux’s usability and specified what distirbution he was using, he would have gotten a much better responce (and not needed the kevlar suit he mentioned.)