One thing missing from learnlinuxtv is content related to the use and exploration of linux apps. Such as: The Libreoffice suite, or mathematica, or even business use, education use, industrial applications. LearnLinuxTV is usually focused upon operating systems—installation, upgrades, etc…. Perhaps content about the ‘use’ of apps in the linux lineup might improve subscriptions, donors, and popularity?
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I think this is a good idea, but I believe LLTV started off as content platform for aspiring sysadmins, as Jay used to be a linux admin himself. Which I think it’s why it’s “learn linux” and not “use linux” TV.
It makes even more sense when you start reading Jay’s books. Nothing wrong against using desktop programs and teaching people how to use them too, but I think the channel’s content is meant to teach people how to manage systems. But I think if Jay wants to, he could have a separate playlist on teaching linux desktop things.
One thing I wouldn’t want this channel to devolve into is desktop environment reviews. I’d rather he sticks to whatever he is using and showing people cool tricks only in that. Mentioning alternatives passing by should be god enough. It would also prevent time syncholes, to not pour resources into making content about things he doesn’t use. Besides, it’s best that you teach people things that you already learned, not teach as you learn (although that can be a working strategy for certain people, I don’t think it fits this channel).
On desktop program reviews, Switched To Linux does some good videos on distro reviews and the occasional how to use LibreOffice, Kodi, jellyfin etc.
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Thanks for clearing that up. For some reason I feel that Linux is better than the commercial OS’s, or those designed to dictate a user’s experience. Enthusiasm for the Linux Desktop is nowhere near the commercial offerings. Subscriptions to services, the ‘near’ but legalized phishing emerging and evolving in the commercial industries is costing far more than the worth of the products and services. OpenSource is where the innovation and creativity lives. Linux should be a required skill in public education, imo. Its transparency is its strongest virtue, and versatility and customization options make it the best platform to learn and work from. Inspiration and enthusiasm for Linux lacks behind the others.
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Where a Windows app is available they tend to be more or less the same in Linux, so a bit of a search normally comes up with a YT video, or a How To article. The issues only arise normally where it is just for Linux, and sometimes that can be wanting.
One of the reasons that Linux is not as popular as IOS and Windows is due to application availability. Many of those, particularly in specialised fields, are only available for those and not Linux. This is the chicken and egg situation. Not enough users to develop for it, not enough users as not enough apps for it.
Though Jay’s videos do cover Linux Desktops, virtually everything else is about admin, servers, etc and that is it’s target audience. Some will want to become sysadmins as their profession, whilst others want to lean more to run their own systems at home.
Great topic everyone!
I have to be honest that I’ve chuckled a bit while reading about me in third person. There’s absolutely nothing wrong here - the amusing part is how you guys are mostly spot-on. I agree with almost everything I’m reading.
Okay, so first of all, fantastic idea! I think desktop usage and Linux app overviews, tutorials, etc would be a fabulous asset. I also agree that the majority of the content on the channel is mostly focused on server administration-type topics.
Why is that? Was that part of Jay’s plan with the channel? Perhaps a calculated and strategic way of targeting key audiences?
Well, no - the fact that the channel is Linux administration-focused is literally complete happenstance. I just never thought of it. Desktop-related content is absolutely within scope, and content like that actually seems to score higher in views whenever I do something that leans in that direction. For example, a web browser review. What I think happened here is that I have tunnel vision often, and server administration is my personal favorite thing. So I probably just hyper-focused on it without thinking.
That said, I would personally like to see this kind of content exist in addition to the content style that’s already the norm. I just don’t know yet how this might fit in, and at least the next two months are completely spoken for. I’m going to keep this in mind and think of any place where this naturally fits.
Another issue, is that I’m also not really good at desktop apps. The difference is weird. On one hand, I’m automating server deployments like it’s nothing. And then on the other hand, when I use a word processor I’m the type of person that will scan through existing text to find a section that’s kind of formatted how I want the current paragraph to be, rather than using macros, styles, or any other features that exist on a level higher than vim. So it would probably take a bit of time for me to write scripts for those types of videos. That still wouldn’t be the most challenging thing I’ve done, though.
I hope you guys continue to share thoughts about the content, I’m sure I’m missing obvious things.
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