Answering Your Linux Questions

Ubuntu Myths: Studio Bloat, GNOME Friction, and the Real Support Timeline

I’ve had a few questions over the past weeks about my post “From Distro Disaster to AI Co-Pilot: My Linux Upgrade Adventure.”

Among them:

1. Why Move Away from Windows?
2. Is There Really Anything Better Than Adobe?
3. Open-Source? But I’m a Pro Photographer…
4. When Is It Time to Upgrade from 20.04 to 22.04?
5. Is 22.04 Already Outdated Now That 24.04 Is Here?
6. Isn’t Linux Mint Better Than Ubuntu or Kubuntu?
7. Ubuntu Studio vs. Kubuntu DIY: What’s Better for Photography?

Well… some of these facts might ruffle a few feathers. I’m not exactly pulling punches here – partly because I know the resistance is strong, but let’s be honest: most of that resistance comes from fear, not because Windows is some kind of digital paradise.

So to all the battle-hardened Windows veterans out there: take this as perspective, not a personal attack.

Let’s talk facts :

1. Why would anyone move away from Windows?

People often talk about privacy, updates, or ads when it comes to switching away from Windows. But there’s another side to the story—one that’s more about freedom, flexibility, and the sheer joy of having a system you can truly make your own.

With Linux, you’re not just getting a free operating system—you’re getting a digital Swiss Army knife. You can customize your environment from top to bottom, automate your workflow, or strip things down to just what you need. Want a desktop that fits you like a glove? You can have it.

And it’s not just about tweaking for the sake of tweaking. On Linux, you’re not locked into one way of working, or tied to a single vendor’s rules. If you want to try new software, build your own tools, or run your machine exactly how you like, nothing stands in your way.

There’s also the open culture: a worldwide community of people who help each other, share solutions, and actually care about making things better—for everyone, not just shareholders.

And perhaps most important: you stay in control. No forced updates, no hidden processes, no guessing what your system is really doing. Just a clean, efficient platform that works for you, not the other way around.

So, why switch? Because you want your computer to be yours again—simple as that.

2. All good and well, but nothing beats Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, right?

Well, that depends on what you mean by “beats.” If you’re talking about industry dominance, sure. If you’re talking about subscription fees, cloud lock-in, and creative handholding—then yes, Adobe is still king. But tools like RawTherapee and Darktable offer something else: total control, pixel-level logic, and zero monthly fees. They’re not clones—they’re alternatives for people who like to know what’s happening under the hood. And once you’ve seen what these tools can do with color, tone, and precision, it’s hard to go back to sliders wrapped in a marketing blanket.

3. I’m a pro photographer, so I really can’t use amateur software…

Let’s get one thing straight: professionalism isn’t defined by your software. It’s defined by your results, your consistency, and whether you can earn a living with what you produce.

I happen to know a few professional photographers who rely on open-source tools. Some use them on macOS (yes, that’s allowed), and one of them even runs his entire workflow on Linux. He earns his living from photography alone, and open-source helps him cut major costs – something that matters a lot when you’re flying solo.

He once told me via email that he keeps it quiet. Not because it doesn’t work, but because he’s afraid people will stop taking him seriously, not a professional, or worse – label him a nerd. That says more about the industry than it does about the tools. Because at the end of the day, clients care about your images, not the software you used to make them.

4. How do you even know when it’s time to upgrade from 20.04 LTS to 22.04 or higher?

Easy: if your system is running stable and nothing’s breaking, there’s no rush. But if your software starts bumping into outdated dependencies, your camera isn’t properly recognized, or you notice a lack of security updates—then it’s time to consider moving up. Not sure what version you’re even running? Open a terminal and type lsb_release -a It works on most Ubuntu-based systems and gives you the essentials. Want to check your security support status? Try ubuntu-security-status in a terminal. It’s not available everywhere, but on Ubuntu LTS systems it gives you a quick health check. LTS doesn’t mean you have to upgrade—it just means you can, when it actually makes sense.

5. Is Ubuntu/Kubuntu 22.04 LTS already end-of-life? Isn’t 24.04 already out – and even 25.04 on the horizon?

Let’s clear that up: 22.04 LTS is fully supported until 2027. So no, it’s not going anywhere. Yes, 24.04 is out – but Linux isn’t like Windows, where updates are rolled out fast so the company can cash in and deal with the fallout later. With Linux, you can wait. Let the die-hard users test the waters, file the bug reports, and shape the edges until the system’s bulletproof. Then- and only then – you upgrade, on your terms. That’s the beauty of LTS: no pressure, no forced timelines, and no marketing countdown clock pretending it’s a feature.

6. I’m already on Linux Mint — that’s better than Ubuntu or Kubuntu.

Mint is great. It’s clean, stable, and designed to feel familiar for anyone coming from Windows. It has a strong community, solid documentation, and no weird surprises. So yes, for many users, Mint is the perfect entry point into Linux.

But that doesn’t automatically make it better. Ubuntu (and its flavors like Kubuntu) isn’t just community-supported — it’s also backed by Canonical and used professionally across companies, institutions, and even pre-installed by vendors like Dell, Lenovo, and HP. That kind of adoption doesn’t happen by accident. It means long-term support, certified hardware, and compatibility that matters in a production environment. And if it’s Cinnamon you love — there’s even a dedicated Ubuntu Cinnamon Remix that brings you the same desktop feel, but on top of Ubuntu’s broader ecosystem. So no, this isn’t about which one is “better.” It’s about what you need: Mint is friendly, Ubuntu is battle-tested. Choose what fits your workflow — not just what looks good out of the box.

7. Is Ubuntu Studio the best choice for photographers?

Not really — unless you’re also editing soundtracks or producing video on the side. It comes loaded with a truckload of creative tools and even offers real-time audio kernels, but for photography, it’s mostly overkill. The XFCE desktop is lightweight but feels clunky if you’re used to KDE’s visual finesse and customizability. And the included photo tools? Often outdated and rarely tailored to a serious photo workflow.

Kubuntu, on the other hand, lets you build exactly what you need. Want the latest RawTherapee, Darktable, GIMP? Flatpak or AppImage has you covered. Prefer scripting, ExifTool, or Digikam? KDE integrates like a dream. Sure, you’ll install and tweak things yourself — but let’s be honest, if you’re reading this, that’s the whole fun of it.

And why Kubuntu over standard Ubuntu? GNOME may look sleek, but it hides too much, breaks multitasking, and shoves snaps down your throat. KDE gives you full control, real speed, and a workflow that feels more like Windows – which, let’s be honest, is probably the one thing Windows ever actually got right. If you want to know where your files are, and what your system’s doing, Kubuntu doesn’t get in your way. It hands you the keys.

That wraps up the questions I’ve been getting the last week, and before – and yes, I read every message. Whether you’re cautiously poking at Linux from the edge or already knee-deep in your own bash scripts and Flatpak builds, I hope this gave you some clarity (and maybe a nudge in the right direction). If nothing else, you now know where I stand – somewhere between open-source stubbornness and practical photography.

More to come, as always. And if things don’t go smoothly right away – don’t panic. That’s not failure, that’s just Linux inviting you to take the wheel.

Marc

This article was written by Marc R.
While I primarily speak Dutch and have some knowledge of English and a little French, ChatGPT helps ensure my writing is grammatically correct. I often mix Dutch and English in my drafts, and ChatGPT steps in to translate and correct.