[Gracana]

> but Ubuntu is going to be wanting software updates just as Windows is

But Ubuntu comes with drivers for all the network devices it supports, and when it does updates, it does them all in one go with a single reboot required. You install, get online, update, and you're done. A base Windows install often will require external media to get online to get updates, and the process is a painstaking series of rebooting and re-launching/re-starting windows update.

> Installing Sublime text, npm (and npm packages) on Windows is just as easy as on Linux.

I think the point is that he tried doing it The Microsoft Way, and that it was full of barriers and frustration. Of course you can use other tools, but Microsoft tools on a Microsoft system ought to be easy, right?

[rikkus]

I agree that the updating process for Windows is still annoying after all these years, with reboots required, then launching Windows Update (which tells you there's nothing to do), then you tell it to check again, it finds stuff, it installs it - then you get it to check again and now it finds more stuff. This has got less painful over the years, but at least with Linux you do one update and might have to do one reboot if there's a kernel update, or restart some services or X if there's something there that needs it, so yes, Linux definitely wins here (and I hear there may be rebootless kernel updates coming...)

It's also odd that Windows 8.1, released much earlier than Ubuntu 14.04, didn't have a NIC driver that worked with the OP's device, when Ubuntu did. Obviously they put drivers through WHQL, but still, it'd be great if they could have a fast track for at least a very basic driver to get you connected.

I'd really like to see most devices which have some 'common' functions be able to function with a minimal feature set without requiring a special driver. I believe displays have been able to do this for years with VESA mode, (some) webcams with UVC. If this could happen for NICs, it would make life so much easier.

Yes, Microsoft tools on a Microsoft system should be easy. I think they should have a team who sit and start from scratch every day, installing the OS, getting the tools, starting to work - and see what the experience is like. It's as if they never test this.