Linux specific section?

[Lightages]

With MS making things messier and less favorable for the user every update, many people have been trying Linux. The switch to Linux isn't as hard or painful as many people make it out to be, but there are differences and specific issues and help that relate to Linux only and the help available for Windows is not relevant. I believe it would be helpful to have a Linux specific section to reduce the S/N for both systems. Maybe a poll is not the best way to gauge interest but it was the easy way!

I for one have been running Linux exclusively for 3 years and would be willing to help in any way I can with my limited knowledge.

I have added an option: Don't Care

Maybe people don't care but won't say yes?

[RoGeorge]

I understand your point (myself running Linux only at home since many years now), however, I think splitting a forum in too many categories is not beneficial (in general, no matter the type of those categories).

Another argument for not adding another section is that Linux is a software criteria, while the EEVblog is mostly an electronics forum, with categories/boards/subforums grouped by hardware rather than software criteria.

I'm not against a Linux section, but then, to get a section for each OS (Linux, Windows, MacOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Android, FreeRTOS, and so on), would be too many.

[rteodor]

I can not decide:
Q: "Should a generic/desktop Linux section be added to the forum?"
A: No.

Q: "Should an embedded Linux section be added to the forum?"
A: Maybe

[magic]

The first page of this section still fits all active threads from the last two months.

Is there really a need to split it any further?

[Lightages]

Based on the number of views so far and the number of votes and their balance, it seems that the majority opinion is that there is no compelling reason to most to make this addition..

[John B]

I mean, there is a cooking section......

[golden_labels]

Do we really see enough of penguin threads to have a separate category for that?

My vote: “not should”. Recorded as “should not”, as there is no option for “not should”.

[Lindley]

Think if there was a Linux sub-section, would many such folk know to look for it on the EEVB site  ?  that said, not against the idea of one.

Probably the best advice is to suggest anyone interested in Linux should look at the most popular distributions like Ubuntu and Mint, both have very active and helpful forums plus  lot of pages of detailing how to get everything installed quickly and easily.

Caveat  from the Secuity sub-section    -
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/security/august-windows-security-update-breaks-dual-boot-on-linux-systems/

[Gyro]

I can maybe see a case for identifying / discussing Linux specific engineering packages and tools (not thinking of common things like KiCad).

[bitwelder]

I understand your point (myself running Linux only at home since many years now), however, I think splitting a forum in too many categories is not beneficial (in general, no matter the type of those categories).

Another argument for not adding another section is that Linux is a software criteria, while the EEVblog is mostly an electronics forum, with categories/boards/subforums grouped by hardware rather than software criteria.

I'm not against a Linux section, but then, to get a section for each OS (Linux, Windows, MacOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Android, FreeRTOS, and so on), would be too many.

I'm on the exact same opinion

[Nominal Animal]

Linux has been my main workhorse since before the turn of the millenium, but I don't think a separate subforum for it would be useful here.  (I voted No.)

While I agree with RoGeorge and bitwelder above, my reason is simpler: I do not see such a category being useful for anyone here.  The current Computers, Embedded Computing, Programming, Networking and Wireless, Security, and General Technical Chat subforums suffice, because any relevant Linux-related question will fit into one of them, more or less.

For example, if you wanted to discuss how to best communicate with your embedded project and a Linux host, not having yet chosen any particular transport (Ethernet, WiFi, USB, RS-232, RS-422), the General Technical Chat might fit best if you wished to discuss different transports, or Embedded Computing if you wished to focus on the embedded aspects.  For the software implementation, you'd pick Programming.  If the information is sensitive, those aspects (including encryption and how it might be implemented) would go to Security.  If you picked the wrong one, flag your own post, and ask moderators to move it.

To pick the correct subforum, look at the posts already posted in there, skimming the titles on first few pages, and reading any posts that might be similar or analogous to your own.  (You should always do a search also, to find out if the issue has been discussed before.  Both the forum search and external search engines like Google work for this.)  It is still useful to mention that you use a Linux host, but it is just an implementation detail, a boundary condition, and not the focus or key of your questions.

For questions that involve Linux but no electronics, this is not the forum; those are elsewhere, like LinuxQuestions for example.  Similarly for Arduino/Raspberry Pi/etc. beginner programming questions.

[RoGeorge]

If you picked the wrong one, flag your own post, and ask moderators to move it.

Each user can move own topics without admin help.  There is a button "Move Topic" at the very bottom of the webpage (in the desktop interface of the forum).

[artag]

I prefer threads to be sorted by application first and then OS dependencies included as information. Unless you want to use it only for 'how do you do <something> in linux', I don't think there are many subjects for which Linux is teh fundamental point - eg if I want to talk about a CAD feature I go to those groups first and only mention Linux later.

What I definitely don't want is a complete duplication of topics under a Linux top line. And I think having an OS as the primary group is going n that direction.

[Halcyon]

I mean, there is a cooking section......

Cooking is a broad category (like Computing).

I'm not necessarily against a dedicated Linux section, but I am on the fence about it. If the benefits outweigh the negatives, I don't see why not. But on the other hand, it's a bit like having a "Baking" section under Cooking.

[radiolistener]

It will be nice to turn the main Computer category into Linux one and push the rest into separate sub categories like TR-DOS, MS-DOS, Apple DOS, Lisa OS, Android Project, etc... 

[John B]

I mean, there is a cooking section......

Cooking is a broad category (like Computing).

I'm not necessarily against a dedicated Linux section, but I am on the fence about it. If the benefits outweigh the negatives, I don't see why not. But on the other hand, it's a bit like having a "Baking" section under Cooking.

You mean, an Open Sauce section....

......I'll see myself out.

[Bryn]

I personally think there should be, given that there's lots to say about it, at least for this forum in general. Also so that threads to do with it don't get mixed up with all others.

Just my humble opinion, but it is up to the main person in charge to add it or not.