You can get the same preference-laden programs for MacOS (which, for some reason, I assume you now use) and Windows, this is not a Linux-thing. Linux users who want to have things decided for them can use Gnome [1] or Unity [2], no such 'superfluous' preferences or extraneous tabs there. Linux does not equate complexity, nor does MacOS or Windows equate sane defaults and simplicity (iTunes comes to mind as an anti-example).
The fact that these programs persist for such a long time indicates that there are people who prefer to make their own choices, no matter how superfluous these might seem in others eyes.
The fact that these programs persist for such a long time indicates that there are people who prefer to make their own choices, no matter how superfluous these might seem in others eyes.
[1] https://www.gnome.org/ look ma, no preferences... [2] https://unity.ubuntu.com/ look ma, no future...