I've had an ongoing discussion in another thread, but I thought I'd post this, more as an op-ed piece than anything else.
I've read introductory posts from Linux newcomers complaining about the "scattershot" way systems and software are developed, delivered, documented and deployed (how's that for alliteration?). As a long-time Apple/Mac user (since before the beginning in 1984), recent experience shows me that Linux is no more complex or alien than any other OS. In fact, since it's open source, it's less so. Let me explain.
I run five Macs at home (yeah, I'm a geek that way) varying in age and OS level. Two of these Macs have recently begun throwing a modal dialog box reporting "routined quit unexpectedly." The term "modal" means that it takes focus and must be addressed before control is released back to the user. So, what does this mean?
A standard employed at the Unix/Linux level (macOS is a Unix/Linux kernel) says that a process ending with the letter "d" is a background process, usually system-level, known as a "daemon."
Since this is already fairly long, I will let those interested just search the Internet for this message. Even more, try finding the resolution. My bottom-line point is that even Apple Support can't (or won't) address this problem. And it is a problem!
If Apple won't step up and address issues with its software, one must rely on heavily technical sources that may or may not have the answer. Yesterday, due to the weather, I spent several hours trying remedies.
- Booting a safe mode
- Booting in recovery mode and running Disk Utility scans on all attached volumes.
- Killing the process via
kill -9 [PID]. But it's a system process so it immediately respawns - Tried finding the configuration file for
routinedand disabling it (nope, doesn't exist). - Reset the NVRAM/PRAM. This requires re-enabling third party extensions. Didn't.
- Reset the SMC (System Management Controller).
- Cursed and used inappropriate language
I've logged (another) case with Apple Support. Guess what? Unless there's a known fix to a problem, Apple doesn't respond. It leaves everything up to the "Apple Community." Sound familiar? Trouble is, the Apple Community is asking the same question, not giving solutions.
Turn to MATE/Ubuntu. We have here a very cooperative and knowledgeable community. Many questions are answered quickly, and if multiple solutions exist, are given in the spirit of "community" - without recompense or need for attribution. And solutions are given that may require operation at the lowest levels of the OS. Apple hides certain files and folders that can only be accessed in recovery mode. Linux makes the system available to the root user, and allows anyone to get into trouble.
So, when it comes down to troubleshooting the system at low-level, Linux has Apple beat nine ways to Sunday.
Note, I didn't once mention Windoze in this screed. Anyone want to take a stab at that? 