• NotYourSocialWorker@lemmy.world
    6·
    1 year ago

    I recently had the misfortune of trying to fix a problem on my kids windows computer and it’s striking the difference between Linux and windows forums.

    A Linux forum:
    “RTFM but here’s four commands that will fix your problem plus fix a bunch of things you didn’t even know you had a problem with”

    A windows forum:
    "My name is Mr Anderson and has been awarded high quality question answerer three years running plus best cut lawn by the HOA. I am not affiliated in any way with Microsoft so don’t go running to them if you mess up your computer.

    Here is fifty eleven things to click on that is highly dependent on the language set on the computer and which is likely changed by Microsoft since I wrote this. The instructions are also highly general and in no way specific for your actual problem."

    • Tnaeriv@sopuli.xyz
      2·
      1 year ago

      True that. Back when I was using Windows I had a problem where I couldn’t log in to my Microsoft account through the apps (only through the browser). It was a problem because I couldn’t even create a user account. When I tried to file a support ticket through tje included app… it would prompt me to sign in to my Microsoft account. Couldn’t figure out what the problem was myself as everything I had to work with was an ambiguous numerical error code. Trying to search for an answer online only resulted in the exact kind of posts you’ve described, clearly written by people even more clueless than I was, but pretending they’re experts. Never actually resolved it, then switched to Linux and never looked back.

    • Unsalted@lemmy.world
      1·
      1 year ago

      I’ve always wondered who tf those weirdos are on the windows support forums. I genuinely wonder if the idea is that they’re trying to farm points/answers so they can apply to work for MS support? Like it’s just resume fodder for them?

      You also forgot the part where at some point the advice they give always includes ‘try reinstalling your drivers’ as if it’s a silver bullet that will magically solve any windows problem. 😑

  • Unsalted@lemmy.world
    1·
    1 year ago

    Microsoft documentation is a lead capture tool to try and get you on a sales call so they can try to sell you stupid bullshit your company doesn’t need for the low low introductory price of $250/user/year!

    I have a lot of pent up anger when it comes to troubleshooting stupid windows issues at work.

  • Nanachi@lemmy.world
    1·
    1 year ago

    Troubleshooting in Windows is “easier” and more “accessable” but the OS constantly sabotages you
    Troubleshooting in Linux is harder but the problem and solution are clearly understandable if you know your ways, and if you do solve your problem, it will stay like that usually