The next version of the world's most popular desktop Linux operating system (that's Ubuntu, for those of you playing dumb) will come with less software
Article author is being melodramatic about how much of a laborious task it is to press a couple buttons to install software yourself, but it's also not hard for a distro to include optional sets of software packages available for selection during install.
It is for you and me, but imagine a new user. One who tries Linux for the first time. This user will be lost. When he or she needs to google "which software on Ubuntu to open files of type .bla" the Nth time, I can see them throwing up their hands in frustration.
And, as a long term consequence, ratings of Linux distributions saying "Unbuntu - no longer recommended for new users".
I don't know man. Mac OS also has no software to open a lot of file types out of the box but even people with little to computer knowledge are able to download the things they need from the app store. They can do the same in ubuntu as well
I tried Linux mint for the first time back when I was 13 or 14, it was a bit confusing at first but I was pretty good about searching the Internet for information, that honestly seems to be the biggest issue with a lot of tech-illiterate people, inability or ignorance of being able to search for information and then apply it.
I use arch. Choosing your favorite music player is fun. Choosing your favorite music player, video Player, Browser, file explorer, system monitor, office suite and mail program is not fun.
So far, this was not necessary. If the intention is to drive off any potential new users of the Linux range of systems, making it hostile to beginners is an effective way.