"Macrosoft" Resources Issue

[VBNMW_Realist]

RAM (random access memory) is the part of the computer which holds the information about what is currently running in the OS. It's like the computer's thoughts. Macrosoft (what I like to call Microsoft because of the data showing that Windows takes up far more space than Linux or even MacOS) has been getting a lot of heat given the increasing price of RAM because of AI projects that aren't living up to their promises.

Meanwhile, Ubuntu runs very comfortably on 8 GB of RAM and even works with no problems on 4 GB if you don’t do that much and know how to adjust the software with compression and swap usage (not to mention lightweight distros designed for old hardware that can sometimes fit on less than 1 GB). For this reason, the dislike for Windows in Linux groups is not merely ideological/philosophical. Increasingly, it is also technical, with this part of the opposition being backed by measurable data. RAM is the biggest area where Windows bloat is visible, especially because RAM is precious, but it can also be seen in disk and even CPU cycle bloat.

Ironically, many Linux users exploit this gap by buying machines with Windows on them and then wiping the OS. One of the benefits is it can make it feel like a supercomputer even though it isn't purely because the OS is lighter and is not running programs that they didn't ask for and may be invading their privacy.

Another thing that Windows can't do easily but Linux can is switch TTYs because each desktop on Linux is on a terminal. On most modern distros, if you create 2 different user profiles, you can switch by pressing Ctrl Alt F2-F12 and log in with Ctrl-Alt-F1.

[AZJonnie]

1. Is there anything happening in particular that prompted this post?

Which basically illuminates the obscure, arcane fact that Linux uses less resources than Windows

Is it comment on the current Rampocalypse? I don't even wanna talk about what I just had to spend on 64GB kit of DDR4 (FOUR!). And it's not even 2*32, it's 4*16. And it's not even that highly specced, just run-of-the-mill non-ECC Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz. I bought it used for about double the price of what it would've been brand new a year or so ago

[VBNMW_Realist]

2. RAM Shortage

It is the RAM shortage that is happening. And how many people want to use their systems more efficiently.

Also while this is an obscure fact I disagree that it is arcane.

[AZJonnie]

3. I was joking about the obscure/arcane part

It's very well-known

Yeah, like I say, I figured it was basically meant to make note of the rampocalypse (as we call it at our shop), but just thought I'd ask.

It sucks. Wish I'd had the foresight to buy up a bunch of kit a year or so back!

[Ptah]

4. Arcane:

Arcane refers to something mysterious, secret, or known only to a specialized few. It describes obscure, esoteric information, rituals, or language that requires specific, often insider knowledge to be understood.