static inline float fast_rsqrt(float x)
{
	float result;
	__asm__("rsqrtss %1, %0" : "=x"(result) : "x"(x));
	return result;
}

Linux Becoming Popular is a Bad Idea

One thing I keep seeing across the Internet is the death of Windows and the rise of Linux. While I admit YouTube does recommend videos based on interests, it’s still something that concerns me to a considerable extent.

Many nerds such as myself think the average joe cares what actually runs their computer. Sure, they may care whether they run Windows or macOS but most don’t care what that means. All they care is the thing works. Can I run my work’s programs? Can I go on this website? Can I play this game? If it can do those things, even if there is an objectively better solution, that’s all that matters.

But let’s say both Windows and macOS become so unusable and unfriendly toward its users that they begin eyeing Linux. After all, they keep hearing about it. It’s free! It doesn’t need an online account! It stays out of your way! Well, gee whiz, that sounds just great! I’ll download right away and finally be able to use my computer again.

Assuming they managed to get through actually installing any sort of Linux distro, even Mint, (something your average user has never done before–installing an OS) they’ll find it unfamiliar. They’ll bring with them certain assumptions on how an operating system is supposed to act. What I’m worried about is too many will start making demands on what needs to change. While many distro maintainers will tell them to go kick rocks, the thing is constant negative feedback, particularly from those who don’t understand how a computer actually works underneath all the hand-holding and frankly gentrification, may start wearing them down. Humans shouldn’t need to be exposed to endless backlash and vitriol. And some others may take advantage by offering some paid distro, like Zorin for instance, but further away from the whole point of the Linux ecosystem, maybe even making it like Android. Imagine having to root your computer.

Look, my point is I’m not certain about the need for Linux to become a popular operating system within the desktop/laptop space. While I want continued support, I want that support to come from nerds, not some random guy who won’t understand why Microsoft Office doesn’t work on Linux. But it works on Mac! Yeah, that’s because Microsoft ported it over to macOS. Programs aren’t inherently portable. But I’m likely preaching to the choir here.

And I know this is gatekeeping. It is gatekeeping. But sometimes it’s necessary. A healthy balance of who should be targeted with respect to features and services allows projects like Linux to flourish. Make it too open and you risk polluting it with things it doesn’t need. Make it too closed and you risk reducing its usability. I’m not going to pretend I don’t use Mint practically as Windows. For me, it pretty much is. I still treat it as Linux with the ability to customize it and add custom scripts, but otherwise I don’t go crazy with it like some people do. Like I said, a balance. But there’s no real benefit from Linux becoming popular. If it does and nothing follows, then fine. I was wrong. Works for me! If a bunch of non-nerds move away from Linux after realizing it’s not Windows or macOS or even decide to stay, there’s no issue there. But there’s always that risk that Linux becomes corrupted due to influence from those that don’t actually care about the ecosystem. To them, I’d say just stick with Windows and macOS.

This is another test.

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Test post

This is a test!