Get APLawrence.com by RSSlinux sucks, windows is better than linux
OK, we've all heard it: Linux is too hard, Linux sucks, Windows is easier than Linux, yadda, yadda.
People who have such feelings need to ask themselves a simple question:
Why am I using Linux?
Because at this point at least, maybe they shouldn't be.
Really, I think most of these folks should be asking themselves "Why am I using Windows", but we'll pretend that they actually really tried Linux. I can't understand how anyone can USE Windows for any period of time and not hate it, but these people claim to. And they claim to have tried Linux.
And of course they ran into problems. Problems which they couldn't solve by searching Google. And, to be fair, that's not completely unreasonable: it's very rare that something you find will DIRECTLY apply to your problem. You need to apply the knowledge you find to the current situation. However, that can be very frustrating when you first start out because there's so much you need to know that none of it makes sense. It can make you feel very dumb. We've all been there.
But we get people saying silly things, where it is obvious that they haven't even read applicable HOWTO's, because if they had, they wouldn't have the problem they say they have.
However, not everyone has the "dig in and fix it" mentality. They want to use their computer, not hack with it. And that's perfectly legitimate.
Years ago I used to do my own auto stuff- tuneups, oil changes, even more. Backyard mechanic concept. With the new computerized everything, and the tight engine compartments, and the specialized tools you need nowadays, I don't. My car is just something that gets me from point A to point B and I know not and care not how to fix it if it doesn't. Fortunately, cars today are pretty darn reliable, and you don't need to know much- you chances of needing to adjust your points (not that they have 'em anymore, of course) while out on a trip are nil.
Windows is a lot like that. Prepackaged, protective, mostly works- it crashes pretty regularly, but everybody thinks that's normal so nobody cares.
And honestly - it doesn't crash as much as it used to. The old blue screen of death is pretty infrequent now, so that's no reason to run Linux. Windows is a pretty good OS now, if you don't mind doing things their way.
Maybe that's what you want? All you do is browse the web and read email. Maybe Windows is fine for your needs. That's OK.
But it's very difficult when you want to do something unusual, like find all the files that end with ".txt" or ".dat" AND contain "foo" somewhere in the third line, and then ftp whatever you find to xyz.com and delete them. Amazing as it might sound to a Windows user, that's pretty easy do do in Linux/Unix and is what I mean by USING the computer. I don't mean just browsing the web and doing email.
In Windows, it's childishly easy to do simple things. However, it's horribly complex or completely impossible to do any more than that. There are so many things I can do in an instant at the command line that you either cannot do at all in Windows or can do only with great difficulty. I don't understand how anyone who really uses a computer can ever stand to run Windows- it's so pathetically weak.
The difference is learning to drive a car vs. taking public transportation. The subways and buses take you where they go, but only to those places, and only under certain conditions: you can't tow a trailer with public transportation, you have to travel on their time schedule, etc. Your involvement is minimal; you need barely be smart enough to read the most simple signs, and you need remember almost nothing. Learning to drive, however, takes effort, requires more involvement and intelligence, and will probably require much more memorization: "How do I get to Pittsfield from Boston?" etc.
If the subway takes you everywhere you need to go, use the subway. It's cheaper and far easier.
Linux doesn't suck. Linux is not an appliance OS. If you want a brainless, "I'm just going to use it, I don't want to know anything about it" OS, you should be running Windows.
That's not a put-down of Windows or anyone who uses it. It's like taking the train to work vs. driving a Harley. The train gets you to work, rain or shine, same time (or at least in theory- and Windows is very much like a badly run transit system!). The Harley will get you there too, but you didn't buy it because you wanted to get to work. You *do* buy a train ticket just because you want to get somewhere.
Another way to look at it is /Opinion/gdunix.html
Windows users sometimes get really upset about things like having to "mount" a disk. Why get upset? If you do decide you want to stick with it, learning WHY Linux mounts a CD or floppy might help you appreciate it more: /Unixart/newtounix.html explains some of these things.
Linux doesn't suck. It's a Heath kit. It doesn't suck, it's just more work than some want to do. Nothing wrong with that. However, if you *did* want to make the effort, you can do a LOT more with a Linux (or any Unix) machine than you'll ever do with Windows and have more fun doing it- if adjusting your points and setting your timing is your idea of fun.
It's like going out and killing something for dinner. The thrill of the hunt, the skill of tracking, subduing the beast, and enjoying the meal :-)
Some people get rabid about Linux's GUI. Gosh, that's so silly: find a GUI you like and use THAT instead. Try THAT with Windows! But, again, until that newbie knows a bit about this and that, replacing the GUI is like replacing spark plugs: easy if you know how and have the tools, frustratingly difficult if you do not.
Panners and virtual screens are a particular irritant for Windows users - they are apt to find those very confusing. I used to dislike GUI's period. Even today, I still spend a lot of time in character mode. But GUI's are now fast enough to be useful, and while command line is and always will be where the power (and the fun!) is, there are things better done with GUI's. Once you realize and accept that, then virtual GUI screens and panners just make it even better. That stuff *is* confusing at first, but if you give it a chance..
And then there are the language complaints for those who do want to dig into the source. A lot of source is C and a lot of people hate it. Well, I used to write assembler. That was a long, long time ago though and today, I mostly use Perl because for me, it has the right balance of giving me the power I need while still making it easy for me to get done with what I need quickly. Your needs will, of course, be different. But neither C nor C++ nor Perl nor assembler are awful, crappy, shitty or whatever- if the tool meets your needs you use it, if not you use something else. But if you want to work with most source, you need to grok C. Get over it - at least you HAVE source.
And then we complain about the millions of switches for Linux commands. Well, they just don't get it. This is a control issue: people who like to control their machines like Unix/Linux, people who just want to use the damn things don't- and there's nothing wrong with that. My stereo has almost a dozen knobs and gizmos that I have absolutely no interest in- I want to just push the "on" button and have it work. Fortunately it does, but Linux doesn't quite, at least not yet- it still requires a fair bit of tuning and fiddling.
If you hate switches,you really ought to seriously think about WHY you think you want Linux. Is it because all the cool dudes run it and you want to be a cool dude? OK, but cool dudes (at least cool Linux dudes) fiddle with switches and knobs. Or maybe you are just fed up with Microsoft's crap? Good reason, but there is a cost involved in getting away from it, and that cost is the switches and knobs and learning how to control the damn thing. At least if you want to USE it.
Then there are the complaints about docs. Always, it's "they don't tell you enough". OK, they don't. Now and then somebody will bring up the "good old days" (the late 60's, usually), when "documentation was COMPLETE!". Well, I'm old enough to have had experience with those docs. Somewhere I have a 401 (402?) accounting machine manual- the things you programmed by plugging jumper wires from hole to hole? Those were simple, simple machines- of course the docs were good. Even my VCR is 100 times more complex than that tabulator- there's just no comparison and naturally it's more difficult to write the docs. More importantly, the docs HAVE to assume prior knowledge, or that you'll go elsewhere to figure out what you don't immediately grok. If they didn't do that, your VCR manual would be a 400 page book and any given Linux HOWTO would be similar, and some of them would have to be encyclopedias!
And then they complaIn about unstated assumptions and flat-assed errors in man pages and HOW-TO's, I can't disagree. But it ain't easy, bub. I write a lot of that kind of stuff, and it's hard, hard work. You have to find a balance between being too sparse and writing that encyclopedia, and what seems perfect for me is not going to be perfect for you because our backgrounds differ. I do agree that a lot of Linux docs are written by people with horribly poor communication skills, but that's still better than what you usually get in the Microsoft world- a beautifully written piece of uninformative fluff that tells you just about nothing. That's the trade off we usually have to make: tech people usually can't write, and people who can write are usually technical boobs. But it isn't ALL crap- there are useful HOWTO's, even well-written ones, and you certainly can't complain that there are no Linux books you can turn to- there is shelf after shelf of everything from beginner level to true hacker books.
Maybe Linux is not for you? That's OK, isn't it? Nobody says you have to invest the time and effort necessary. It has gotten easier, and no doubt that trend will continue- maybe you should give it a rest for a year or two and then try it again. I first looked at Linux way back when , but it was more work than *I* wanted to give it then, so it was only a few years ago that I started into it seriously. And it is still an effort, more effort than Windows, but -for me- it's reached the point where it's fun. If it's not fun for you, don't do it. It's as simple as that.
See Why should I use Linux also
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I took a random stab at the free upgrades and ordered a new cell phone. Didn't check features or reviews. Hope I don't hate it. - Nov 19 18:52
We'll be spending just as much on holiday gifts as we did last year: exactly $0. Doing our part to help the retail stores as we always do.
Related Posts
Tue Feb 15 14:39:39 2005: Subject: Linux sucks. really?? anonymous
Pobre idiota ese que dice que es un sistema operativo que no tiene potencia, el hecho de que tengas que hacerlo tu mismo es comparable a: Tener el material y las herramientas disponibles para fabricarse una casa totalmente a gusto comparado a comprar una pre-fabricada a la cual deberas adaptarte te guste o no. en fin no se para que gasto mi tiempo en discutir con ignorantes. si te complace el jugo embotellado muy bien, me parece perfecto! pero no critiques a quienes prefieren comprar una juguera y "fabricar" su propio jugo natural! espero que nunca te encuentres con la necesidad de hacer algo que tu win no lo permita.
Ah! by the way if I can read & understand whatever you said i hope you can understand it! becose im so bad writer as you can see
Sun Mar 6 07:53:56 2005: Subject: M$ suck period anonymous
By admitting M$ is better you are actually admitting that you are
in fact a really stupid muthaf*cka! Linux is more powerfull in every way. How many of the most powerfull supercomputers does M$ actually have? NONE! Linux? LOTS! How does M$ benchmark beside a Linux server? POORLY! And if you can't know by now that PERL is very easy to incorportate for sysadmin tasks, guess what! Everybody does it! My Linux boxes are stable, fast, effective, reliable, FREE! and your crappy M$ boxes are slow, very unstable, virus infected, costly. And if you are too dumb to know how Linux works how the hell do you know how to code? Command line IS very powerfull and much faster than GUI when you have at least a monkey brain to remember simple commands and shit. Anyway Linux is the bomb and if you don't agree keep on with the crappy M$ shit. I'm sure everybody who has made the switch has learned a great deal about computing, a lot more than they would on a stupid M$ box because they are to ocupied waiting for hard disk to swap memory to play solitaire. Bill Gated sould of stayed in school and learn about security conceps at the desing level of an OS, learn what a monopoly is and stop focusing on "who is stoling my $oftware" and fix security and stability issues because nobody serious about computing would ever consider taking his OS for an important task!
Tue Mar 8 16:37:29 2005: Subject: The Win/Mac newbs may be right. ThePenguinator
Linux is great, but installing third-party programs from tarballs and packages can be a really serious pain in the ass. This might be one major reason why even Mac users hate Linux. It does not make sense to travel far and wide across the Internet just to download up to 50 lib-files/dependencies/requirement files, all of which need up to 50 lib-files/dependencies/requirement files, and so on, and so on. And Internet/phone services these days are not cheap. If the programmers would take the time to all of the required files that the program needs BEFORE posting them on the Internet, this might help diminish the FUD about Linux.
Thu Mar 10 02:22:01 2005: Subject: anonymous
Fisrt of all there is a marvelous tool that is called apt-get that will resolv any dependencies problem. And second there is a reason why "It does make sense to travel far and wide across the Internet just to download up to 50 lib-files/dependencies/requirement files, all of which need up to 50 lib-files/dependencies/requirement files, and so on, and so on." that is called libraries wich most of them are already install on a normal system exept if you have some kind of really small distro I think you are really exagerating. Whenever I needed some extra libs/files I could just apt-get them or download them and there were just a few. If you need those in a large volume it may be sign that your system is somewhat out of date. Although it is hard for me to understand somebody without even a broadband connection I can assume it must be a pain in the ass with a 56k modem. But please, all the value that's added to your system with free software if you pay for a broadband connection is far less than the TCO of any Windows/Mac OS wich can raise bills faster than you blink (if you don't illegally copy software as I am sure you do:p)!
Wed Mar 16 20:38:28 2005: Subject: windows just needs a (big) cleanup anonymous
I am forced to use MS software everyday, just because here (in spain) it's the most extended one. Why? marketing I suppose. There's the (wrong) assumption that if something it's expensive, it's that much better.
I agree, windows is really easy to use for the 3-4 things most of beginners do, but for anything else, it's the same or worse than linux in terms of difficulty. You have to dig into interminable options screens, type some obscure poorly or not documented 'magic' words, it's almost black magic. Not to mention that looking at the help will not help you at all. Even the help will fail because it has scripts that just don't work in your current version of internet explorer, rendering it useless, because you then have to dig into the mess of the html source code filled with javascripts, propietary tags and so on just to actually see its contents. Too bad!!
At a first glance, many microsoft apps look like they give you lots of options and control, but that's all. When you try to make use of them, most of the time you have to deal with incompatibilites, features that can only just be implemented in a few cases, etc.. and lots, LOTS of exceptions.
Don't get me wrong, there's lots of things where Windows is very good, but it needs to get rid of many garbage. Sure they won't, because THAT garbage SELLS. That is what Linux is free of.
Tue Mar 22 00:30:47 2005: Subject: jkhgk anonymous
(your comments go here,n,mn,mn)
Mon Apr 4 21:26:32 2005: Subject: anonymous
Good article, I'm new to Linux and I've playing with Fedora Core 3 for a couple of weeks and to get started it has been generally very easy.
wi-fi was a real pain but I got over it
apt won't work on my distro (64 bit), but at least yum does, so no real dependancy problems
I've just found that I've got problems with grip, but I'm sure there will be a way around it, if not there will be an alternative program
yes there are a lot of petty annoyances BUT generally I am very impressed with the high quality of the os and the available applications, I think perhaps in the long term it is the way forward. At least if there is a problem which is really important to me I can dig into the code and work out what is going on, maybe even fix it.
With the level of distos nowadays, it seems to me that the limit of the problems are petty annoyances, but then I always had petty annoyances with windows too
I think the main lesson I've learn't over the last couple of weeks is just to pick my hardware better, oh wouldn't it be nice if hw manufacturers released linux drivers as a matter of course.
Thu Apr 7 20:09:47 2005: Subject: i totaly agree anonymous
admitidly i have only been running linux for a week now, but everything you have said is true. if people arent prepared to work on it they will never find it better then windows. i have just learnt to mod superkaramge files. now i can make it look cool. i used windows for 5 years and i have never been able to mod anything
Mon Apr 11 10:40:30 2005: Subject: Linux kicks ass anonymous
So I've been using Linux for about 6-7 months now. Best computing experience EVER, PERIOD, END OF STORY. Windows is for people that don't care about computers. They ask themselves "can it surf the web? Can I type on it? Can it play games?" and that's generally all they need. But if you actually want to learn something, and give a shit about the actual technology that shapes our everday lives, then give Linux a shot. If you don't like it, then hey, what's stopping you from reinstalling XP? The point is, Linux is for the people out there that want something different, something they can call thier own. Linux is an infinitely more powerful operating system that's ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Sun May 15 12:18:35 2005: Subject: anonymous
I've tried Linux its not that good this "war" is pathetic the linux users need to fuck off and stop being stuck up you search on google
"I hate Linux" and you get a few results you search for
"I hate Windows" and you get a shitload of Linux users saying shit about Windows
it just goes to show Window users don't really care about Linux users and that Linux users are immature little shits you're all giving linux a bad name
Windows 3.1 is stable and fast (Linux just seems like an older version im better off changing to 3.1 ill get the same effect)
Windows XP is stable ive had it running for a few weeks with no problems
Linux just seems like a lil bitch for Windows its a good server i'll give it that but thats all it should be used for
I seriously don't give a shit but the linux users seriously need to fucking stop bitching and complaining about other peoples software and use there own you don't like windows we don't fucking care stop talking about it same goes for people who hate linux we don't need gay homos telling us which OS is better we can all make that decision for ourselves
Pathetic Nerds >_<
Sun May 15 13:43:10 2005: Subject: TonyLawrence
Windows 3.1 is stable???
Wow :-)
Anyway, you obviously missed the entire point of this article - it wasn't about stability, or ease of use at all. It was about actually USING your computer. If you run Windows, it's a fair bet that you really don't use it at all. You use canned apps, you do what Uncle Bill thinks you need to do, and you don't get to do anything else. If that suits your needs, great: use Windows. It doesn't even begin to meet my needs, so I don't use Windows.
Mon May 16 07:52:55 2005: Subject: From a closed world to open source anonymous
My first and only experience with Linux so far is a debian based distro called Mepis, and because of apt-get and Synaptic I have never experienced the dependency hell, but I can't wait to try Slackware as soon as I get hand in another computer that I can play with without worrying about other users nedd the power to their work.
It can't be said better than the guy who think win do the easy things very smoothly, but as soon as the task you want to do fall out of the mainstream, then you are in trouble. In linux the hidden feature is not really hidden, but there is som many, one can't oversight all of the, in M$ it is buisiness secrets (or one get the feeling when you try to go out of the predestined road). But, of course, if you want to pay, then Bill and his partners willingly shows up.
The most furious wintendo useres are those wanna-be-geeks beleiving they they understand computing, and that linux is a pease of cake. When they try it they realize thet they was'nt as good as they beleived. And their reaction is to slam linux and the people who master their linuxbox.
The most widespread competence in the wintendo-world is incompentence, and that also applied to me. I have learned as much about computing since we switced to linux in february than I have learned using M$ products the preceeding fifteen years, most of all because I could have good explanation about whats going on behind the interface, and what I can do to alter it.
Tue Jun 7 09:57:24 2005: Subject: I partly agree. Felicity
Linux *is* harder, and it *is* a DIY system, and it *is* a Heath kit, and it *is* the car or motorcycle you buy and expect to maintain and repair yourself. These are all correct.
Windows is for casual users as opposed to robust users and outright programmers, and it works fine without you having to learn too much about it beyond the bare minimum that any human has to learn to be able to use a computer. Windows also crashes constantly and yes, even those who prefer it over Linux still hate it. This is just as true.
Those who just want to be able to use their computer to do simple basic things and not have to be half-programmer and learn a ton of information should use Windows. We agree on that.
Here are the things that bother me about the above article:
1. This talk of "*really* using" your computer. This may seem like semantics, since you did define what you mean by "use," but even so it was mildly distressing. To me, you're "really using" your computer when it's making it easier to do something you want to do--search the web to find out more about your interests, tweak your photographs or artwork, publish your fanzine, create your own fonts, keep a database of your comics or movies, find others in your subculture to share your interests, or stay in touch with the people in your social life. Computers are a lot of fun and can be beautiful in their own right, but you could also say that the less time you have to (repeat: *have to*) spend with them, the better the job they're doing. Judged on this basis, Windows is better than Linux for 99 of people. To do what they want to do in Windows they just have to do it. To do it in Linux they have to fight the OS and "earn" their literacy in an atmosphere of some sort of quasi-classist Puritan work ethic.
2. Should everyone be using Linux? Not the way Linux currently is, no. But given how evil Microsoft is, I think Linux may be mankind's only hope. Linux will never spy on you, try to get you arrested for having MP3s, or make it illegal to look at its code (though I wouldn't want to). But if Linux continues to be an IQ test disguised as an operating system, it's not going to reach enough people, and Bill Gates wins. For this reason, I think the Linux wizards need to listen to us lowly users and actually try to make Linux *easy*.
Whatever happened to the Macintosh, anyway? I have an old semi-working Macintosh from the mid-1990s, which doesn't meet my needs and which I hardly ever use; new Macintoshes are insanely overpriced and always have been...do they still make new Macintoshes? Do these new Macintoshes even look vaguely like computers, or are they hideous Ikea/lamp rear-view mirror novelties? Are they still easier to use and more reliable than Windows? Have they fixed Macintosh so it doesn't crash every time you try to use third-party hardware or software?
Tue Jun 7 10:24:42 2005: Subject: TonyLawrence
Re: Macintosh - yes, they have "fixed" Macintosh :-)
No, they aren't hideously overpriced anymore. The underlying os is now BSD Unix so they are reliable and virus/spam free. See http://aplawrence.com/Reviews/ibook.html
I understand your comments re: Windows/Linux and don't disagree: Linux can be a bit of an IQ test. In contrast, Windows can be a test of your patience.
Sat Jun 25 03:28:25 2005: Subject: anonymous
So much to be said...
First about how there are so many windows bashers and so little linux bashers is because I bet every linux user has heard of windows unless they have been in a cave for the last 20 years or suffer from amnesia. However, I know thousands of windows users who have never even heard of linux before (one of those people was me before).
And of course, the main debate. Windows is for the "I want to play minesweeper, talk to my frieds on windows messanger, and look up porn on the internet." people. Linux is for 'nerds' who thoroughly enjoy there computing and want to keep there system efficient and learn something about computers.
Linux is more powerful, windows is easier to use. And don't go bashing Bill Gates because there has to be a reason why windows is so popular and I don't anyone of us could have done what he did.
Sat Jun 25 11:06:55 2005: Subject: TonyLawrence
Don't get me started on Bill Gates. Windows didn't become popular because it was good; it was because Bill and company engaged in business practices that most of us simply would not do. Illegal? Maybe not, though I think many of his actions should be. Cut-throat, merciless, greedy, self-centered? Absolutely.
So let's not pretend Bill is some saintly creature bringing wonders to the masses. He brought crap to the masses, and rigged the game to destroy anyone who tried to offer them anything else.
Sun Jun 26 16:21:50 2005: Subject: BigDumbDinosaur
And don't go bashing Bill Gates because there has to be a reason why windows is so popular and I don't anyone of us could have done what he did.
Of course there's a reason why Windows is so popular. It has been shoved down everyone's throat by computer vendors who don't offer a choice. Furthermore, it is used by a cadre of clueless drones who think that the way a computer behaves under Windows is "normal." Then, of course, there are the so-called analysts who think everything associated with Microsoft smells like roses (actually, male bovine excrement comes to mind). Also, Windows' pervasiveness is merely proof that technical excellence is not a guarantee of success.
When I say "clueless drones," I'm not being mean and cruel, just factual. The overwhelming majority of Windows users I know treat their computers as though they are toasters or toilets. They use 'em but don't know anything about them. Then there are the business users who are so thoroughly brain-washed by the Windows way, they have no idea that perhaps, just perhaps, there are other -- often better -- ways. For example, hardly a day goes by when a vendor doesn't send me E-mail with an MS Office document attachment. When I ask them to *PLEASE* use a neutral format -- ASCII text, PDF, anything but that friggin' MS crap -- they are totally comfounded. Neutral format? What's that? Doesn't everyone use Microsoft Office whatever? Gee, they say, I thought .doc or .ppt or .xls or .whatever files are what everybody uses! Howcum you don't?
That, my friend, is typical of the average know-nothing Windows user. In fact, it seems that the average Windows user is so clueless that they don't even know the difference between volatile and non-volatile storage. I can't recall how many times users have told me they've "run out of memory," only to later discover they ran out of space on the hard disk. Or, how about the bozo who called me one day complaining about how a Word document he had pecked away at for several hours was lost. He finished his document, printed it and then shut down the computer. It apparently never occurred to him that Word was prompting him to save the document for a reason. He just assumed that it would somehow be magically saved for him! Yet, despite this total lack of knowledge and understanding, users like this guy will whine and complain when the system BSOD's, Messenger pop-ups fill the screen, or a virus magically appears and does some major damage. It would seem that Windows has fostered a new generation of dummies, ones much worse that those of 20 years ago for whom books like DOS for Dummies were written.
I personally get very weary of hearing about how great Windows is supposed to be. If it's so great, why can't something as simple as a printer be made to work properly. Case in point: I sold a client a new box with Windows 2000 loaded and ready to go. He called me to ask about how to get W2K to properly drive his Okidata ML320 printer. The user runs his business with Quickbooks amd prints tractor-fed checks on his Oki 320. This arrangement worked fine in Windows 98 but not so with W2K. So, being the nice guy that I am, I showed up at his office on a Saturday (a day usually reserved for non-computer activities like working on my large-scale locomotive) and proceeded to waste about four hours of my time -- as well as about 20 of his checks and a small mounain of paper -- fruitlessly trying the get the damned printer to work with the damned Windows drivers that are shipped with W2K.
Well, guess what? Full support for graphical fonts on dot matrix printers doesn't appear to exist in W2k (or XP -- tried 'em both to be sure). Even Okidata was of no help: the latest driver I could find was for Windows NT 4.0, useless with W2K. Without the proper operating system support, Quickbooks was reverting to monospaced fonts, causing a major mess on the checks. The bottom line was that I had to tell this guy that he would have to throw away his perfectly good printer and tractor feed checks, and invest in a page printer -- ink jet or laser -- and new checks.
Tell me, Mister Windows Apologist, what's so great about an operating system that forces you to do something like this? I'd like to hear Bill Gates' answer to this one.
-- One Peeved Dinosaur
Wed Jul 6 06:13:45 2005: Subject: anonymous
Got a coupple of good points there and are in the most part right. Not everyone has to be a computer enthusiast though, I bet those same "mindless drones" have other impressive skills other than technology based ones. I admit Windows needs to 'up' the learning curve a bit and stop being so "user-friendly". Maybe the next Windows will really be all that they say it will be, I doubt it, but it would be nice.
P.S. I am running a dual-boot with Windows XP and SUSE 9.3. I also own DOS for dummies oddly enough.
-Mr. Windows Appoligist
Tue Jul 19 21:43:41 2005: Subject: anonymous
It seems to me that most of the criticism levelled at Windows users come from elitist techies and programmers who like to look down their noses at the ignorant MS-consuming bourgeoisie. The notion that most people have better things to do than wander through Linux plug-and-play hell for hours at a time (e.g., configuring digital cameras, USB devices in general, etc.) never seems to register. Don't construe this as an endorsement of Windows (it's definitely not). But there's no question that a supposedly superior OS like Linux has a long way to go before it can seriously challenge MS in the user-friendliness desktop arena, no matter how great it runs on servers.
And in response to Nick the computer guy's previous comments a couple of posts ago, using your logic most people shouldn't be able to buy an automobile because they don't know how the internal combustion engine works, or a car's suspension, shocks, electronics, etc. Most people use technology simply as a means to an end, in the case of a car to get from point A to point B and therefore couldn't care less about how to "really use" it. Sure you could improve your car's performance by knowing how it works but for most people the fact that it works is enough. If you choose to learn more, great, but I certainly wouldn't disparage anyone for not knowing better. I'm a mechanical engineer but I wouldn't ridicule a person for not knowing how their refrigerator or toaster works.
Tue Aug 9 09:29:56 2005: Subject: Knowledge in the head and knowledge in the world anonymous
I've used GNU/Linux since 1998, at first in a dual-boot configuration with Windows, but for the last three years as my primary desktop computer. These seven years have seen an enourmous amount of improvement for people who want a free (as in freedom) software solution, and who are not interested in tweaking settings, but doing regular boring office work like writing letters, calculating morgages, presenting their products, surfing the web and sending email.
Before I learned of free (as in freedom) software, my main problems with Microsofts desktop operating systems were the following:
- not multitasking. In Windows 98, if you try to copy a file, you cannot do anything else but must wait.
- not multiuser. Even in Windows 2000 it is not possible to have two users logged in using their accounts at the same time. This has been fixed in Windows XP (my father uses it. Administration is a problem there too).
- not possible to load/unload hardware drivers on the fly, requiring reboots, thus prompting the need to stop all programs you have running at the time. Depending on your needs it takes some time to be up and running again.
- almost never possible to install software without requiring a reboot.
- hard to understand the settings in the Registry, because many of them are "pseudo-encrypted".
- hard to exchange data with other systems, because of proprietary binary storage formats.
Many GNU/Linux distributions are easy to use in an office environment, and are fairly easy to administer. A big challenge for these home/office distributions is that Microsoft or Apple (on Intel) is already there, so they must be even easier to use and administer than the competition - which most often has already won by being preinstalled.
I will describe my system, a Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M50, which runs Novell SuSE Linux 9.3. It was very easy to install on this laptop, yet it required me to have a network connection to get the real nVidia driver for the graphics card. Without it, 3D does not work, or is at an experimental stage of development. Since I have a network connection this was easily fixed. Why Novell doesn't get permission from nVidia to include their driver - which is downloadable at no cost - seems very silly to me.
For all the talk of adhering to standards, the single most annoying thing for a home user is the diversity of copying files from a package of files to catalogs on disk. The thing I dislike the most is compiling from source code, because then I understand that it is my job to move the files to their final destination. SuSE uses the Redhat Package Management system, and YaST takes care of fixing missing dependencies, just like Apt does on Debian based systems. However, both systems leaves you at the mercy of the distributors package management and the dependancies they have worked out. In most instances, this is a good thing. However, if you would like to play around a little - doing some reckless installing of software from the Internet (gasp! You stupid f*) you will often find yourself unable to do so.
I like to play, and I would like the community to put some playing back into binary package management, not just "stability of the system". Create a sandbox environment in my home directory or whatever else you great guys and girls can come up with. It's probably not that hard, and it will give you a challenge and people like me more fun with my computer. Put more of the knowledge in your heads visibly in the world, so that I can interact with it. Cheers!
Wed Oct 19 12:21:25 2005: Subject: anonymous
Why cant linux users give this crappy topic a rest. It keeps cropping up everywhere n makes just about everyone (apart from pimply face dors who need to get) laid sick. You guys r doing the best thing for mankind by resisting the evil marketing practices of bill gates (people like me r just doing trivial stuff like trying to reduce smoking amon teenagers n drug abuse n bill gates himself gives a generous amount to charity). I use my computer for lots of stuff like photoediting (i know it doesnt count as really using under the geek/wanker guide for computer usage). By the way i hop u know that f**** wanker rms n his boyfriend linus torvalds are rich
Wed Oct 19 20:13:31 2005: Subject: TonyLawrence
Well, now that Microsoft itself has admitted that Windows sucks ( http://aplawrence.com/Opinion/windows-broken.html ), maybe you'll finally understand??
Tue Nov 8 22:36:31 2005: Subject: dev
Linux vs Windows: For my PC at home, I'll choose Windows.
Not everybody is a computer geek and unfortunately most Linux users don't realize that. I had a creative sound card which windows 95 can identify. I dont know of a single Linux distro which even supports the card. I am forced to use my SBLive. I had trouble installing the SBLive itself. For months I could not get Linux to use my 7.1 surround sound system.All my speakers work now(after appeding a ton of code) but the channels are cloned.
Do you expect the average computer user to take all this trouble? I was installing Mandrake 10.2 on my friends laptop and guess what????Linux doesnt identify the monitor.
Major issues with Linux(I want you Linux lovers to counter these points for me):
How can you say "you will be using your computer more if you use linux" if:
(1)The hardware support is downright obsolete. People want to use gizmo soundcards and graphics card because they are affordable and cool. I know I can listen to music on my music system, but I want to use my computer hardware to its max and get my speaker system to work at its fullest.
(2)People want to record music on their computers. Since you guys live in your own Tux world, for recording music there are amazing softwares like Cubase and Sonar which dont work on Linux(Dont give me shit like use Audacity or alternate programs because comparing Audacity to Cubase is like comparing "running naked in the forest and hunting deers for food" to "Rocket science" .
How does using Linux imply that I'll get to use my computer at its fulest potential if I cant even record music.(A lot of music released these days is recorded solely on Computers which are not running on Linux.
(3)There is hardly any support for Midi hardware on Linux.
(4)There is limited support for a lot of USB devices like Cell phones and Digital Cameras.
(5)THE BIG ONE!!! I buy a hot shot graphics card but I cant play a single Game.Oh yes..you'll give me the obvious reply.."Buy a gaming console to play games". The fact is, when I can play games on my computer, why shouldnt I??Wouldnt that be using my computer at its fullest.
(6)million other issues.
I can understand that one might want to use Linux for his Web server. But the average computer user doesnt want to sit down visiting tweny million forums to know how to get his sound card to work if he wants to listen to a few songs on his computer.
Tue Nov 8 23:03:43 2005: Subject: TonyLawrence
OK. As I said in the article that started this, Linux isn't for everyone.
I can't stand using Windows. To me, it is incredibly weak and useless. But I don't use my computer to play games or music. I use my computer for the same things people were using computers for in the 70's and 80's, so you and I have an entirely different view of what a computer is for.
But Linux *is* becoming a home user OS too. Maybe you can't use it now, but you will be able to soon. And then maybe you'll hate Windows too :-)
Wed Nov 9 01:01:54 2005: Subject: dev
Then why don't you put it as "Linux is for people who use their computer for the same things people were using computers for in the 70's and 80's"! and stop your "Linux is for 1337 H4XX0rZ!!Micro$oft SuXX0rZ...Bill Gates is killing Jews in Iraq!!!" propaganda.
Wed Nov 9 10:04:18 2005: Subject: TonyLawrence
I think that's exactly what I did say.
As to Bill, no he's not killing anyone, but he is an incredibly greedy and (in my opinion) quite immoral monopolist. Whatever that has to do with this..
You are happy with your Windows OS? Great. As I said, maybe Linux is not for you. Linux *is* much more for people who don't mind getting their hands dirty - although it's also true that people with very simple needs can use it successfully. It's that middle ground, like you, where things get tricky right now: you don't want to figure out the problems (nothing wrong with that - why should you?), so you probably should use Windows - for now.
It's OK. Really :-)
Sat Nov 12 01:34:10 2005: Subject: anonymous
"I've tried Linux its not that good this "war" is pathetic the linux users need to fuck off and stop being stuck up you search on google
"I hate Linux" and you get a few results you search for
"I hate Windows" and you get a shitload of Linux users saying shit about Windows
it just goes to show Window users don't really care about Linux users and that Linux users are immature little shits you're all giving linux a bad name
Windows 3.1 is stable and fast (Linux just seems like an older version im better off changing to 3.1 ill get the same effect)
Windows XP is stable ive had it running for a few weeks with no problems
Linux just seems like a lil bitch for Windows its a good server i'll give it that but thats all it should be used for
I seriously don't give a shit but the linux users seriously need to fucking stop bitching and complaining about other peoples software and use there own you don't like windows we don't fucking care stop talking about it same goes for people who hate linux we don't need gay homos telling us which OS is better we can all make that decision for ourselves
Pathetic Nerds >_<"
In total agreement bro.
I dont ask people what OS they run.
I just run Windows XP and I'm fine. People ask me what OS I run, and when they run Linux, they give me a thousand reasons why Linux is better. All you are doing is getting angry at someone because of what kind of computer they have when you do this, and you are just showing how much less of a life you have. I use my computer for school, games, movies, conversation, and humor, not to have fun typing things.
Bottom Line-
Windows- More people use it and it is easier to use out of the box. There is also more software for it than Linux. The Windows OS has seen tough times, (AKA Win 98), but XP includes a user friendly interface that has very minimal issues. It has slightly less potential than the Linux OS, but that potential is easily accessed.
Linux- If a newcomer to technology were to buy a Linux, their first words would be, "How the hell do I use this thing?" The Linux OS has a great expanse of potential, the problem is that if you arent a programmer, its gonna be a pain in the ass to figure out how to unlock that potential. You need to know how to use Command Line and know C or C++ to get the full Linux experience, but most people do not want to have to know alot about computers to get what they need done.
Sat Nov 12 01:49:38 2005: Subject: anonymous
quote "Don't get me started on Bill Gates. Windows didn't become popular because it was good; it was because Bill and company engaged in business practices that most of us simply would not do. Illegal? Maybe not, though I think many of his actions should be. Cut-throat, merciless, greedy, self-centered? Absolutely.
So let's not pretend Bill is some saintly creature bringing wonders to the masses. He brought crap to the masses, and rigged the game to destroy anyone who tried to offer them anything else." /quote
Four words
Who-gives-a-damn?
Sat Nov 12 02:03:35 2005: Subject: anonymous
quote "Windows 3.1 is stable???
Wow :-)
Anyway, you obviously missed the entire point of this article - it wasn't about stability, or ease of use at all. It was about actually USING your computer. If you run Windows, it's a fair bet that you really don't use it at all. You use canned apps, you do what Uncle Bill thinks you need to do, and you don't get to do anything else. If that suits your needs, great: use Windows. It doesn't even begin to meet my needs, so I don't use Windows." /quote
You really don't know when to kiss ass or kick ass do you?
Money makes the world go round. Deal with it. Who cares what Bill Gates does??? Linux users obviously, but for some reason most Windows users don't...
The point is to climb the corporate ladder, you have to use some form of conformity. That doesn't mean that all of you Linux techies out there need to get your panties in a knot about it. If you agree, (even if you really don't), with a person that has more power than you, than you will be sucessful.
If you attack them they will either ignore you or crush you. They don't care about you.
All I am saying is that Linux users' grudge against Gates is totally unfounded and irrational. We don't bash you. Don't bash us. If you want to find superiority, then go play a sport and get good at it. Get active. Don't sit on your ass all day making programs hoping that anyone will care. They don't. You will just annoy the hell out of everyone non-Linux. Choice is a good thing. Don't scrutinize it.
Mon Nov 21 16:22:19 2005: Subject: BigDumbDinosaur
STFU YOU FUCKING NOOB!!!11111 LINUX SuXX0rs1111!
The above clearly demonstrates that Windows is messed up. The poor guy(?) tried to type in something reasonable and intelligent, and look what happened to his prose. <Grin>
Mon Nov 21 19:25:46 2005: Subject: TonyLawrence
I deleted the comment BDD refers to. As I've said before, you are free to say "Linux sucks" in comments but you have to say something to justify your feeling - I don't have to agree, but I'll let your comment stand unless it's just immature nonsense.
Fri Dec 9 11:30:52 2005: Subject: anonymous
Linux in every way fails as a desktop computer. how could totally free Operating System not dominate Windows in this field ? It's because it was not meant for home users, end of story. You can not game unless you have cedega, you cant edit movies unless you have all of the codecs seperated and a weird gui, and most of all, the dependencies. Every program out there needs dependencies. Debian based distros worked on a solution for dependencies, but it still exists and it is a pain in the ass.
Just ask your self, is it really because windows is noob friendly, or is it because it delivers everything a homeuser would need ? May I remind you, that linux is totally free, a lot of distros to choose from, yet it doesnt dominate Desktop PCs any where ?
I know of Government officials merging to linux. I have to admit, Linux as a server based OS is very stable. Thats all there is to it. EVERY OS HAS ITS OWN DIFFERENT USE. LINUX WAS NOT MEANT FOR HOME USERS, WINDOWS WAS AND STILL IS.
If you want to sacrifice gaming, movie editing, basic entertainment, go ahead and use linux..
Sat Dec 10 02:05:55 2005: Subject: anonymous
GOD! Who cares!
Mon Dec 19 17:40:23 2005: Subject: anonymous
Linux sucks. Linux blows.
Thu Dec 22 07:44:06 2005: Subject: Linux sucks anonymous
Oh yeah, I have a embedded linux kernel. Of course I want to install a simple NE2000 lan card. Do the drivers exist, no and no biggie except linux won't install the ne.ko driver unless it is compiled under the same kernel version and same gcc version, or at least it refuses. Ok, no biggie except to install GCC I have to have a compiler to compile GCC. Oh geeee, how the fuck do I compile the compiler without a compiler? We couldn't release a binary could we. Linux has so many releases and is so convoluted that it is a joke.
Sat Dec 24 19:02:52 2005: Subject: anonymous
You must just be a complete idiot lol.. I started setting up lamp and ltsp gentoo installations when I was 12
Sat Dec 24 22:24:57 2005: Subject: TonyLawrence
No, he's not an idiot. He's just not a tinkerer, and probably doesn't enjoy figuring this stuff out. Those of us who do enjoy challenges should remember that this is an aspect of our personality, not a general human trait. Nor do all of us grok the same things - I'm fine with computers, programming, chess, math, but can't understand music at all, for example. Am I an idiot? Musically, yes, but surely not in general.
Some people just shouldn't use Linux - not yet anyway. Funny thing is, Windows will be getting harder to use when they add all the new security features next version, so maybe some people just won't use computers at all - at least not without help :-)
Tue Dec 27 17:29:46 2005: Subject: Windows is from Venus, Linux is from Mars BigDumbDinosaur
The subject pretty much sums up this argument. Windows is for those who don't want to mess up their hair, chip their fingernails or disturb their makeup. Linux is for those who don't mind getting their hands dirty now and then, and can read between the lines when something doesn't work as expected.
Use Windows if you don't want to know anything about computers, use Linux if you do.
Mon Jan 2 06:28:06 2006: Subject: installing gcc anonymous
I am not the idiot you claim. I am a hardware and software developer with 20+ years. It is not a matter of being a tinker. It is a matter of I have a job to do under pressure and quickly and don't have weeks to figure out the bullshit. It is a joke when I have to have a compiler to install a compiler. Screw the 12 year old shit, this is not my hobby it is my business and I don't have time to fuck around with all the useless crap. Call WIN32 what you want but at least I can install a compiler without a compiler. Oh yeah and I can install a driver from a different compiler build. I have a 2.6.9 kernel and of course I have to use gcc 3.2.2 and who knows what the fuck else. I don't claim Linux sucks but it is a pain in the ass.
Wed Jan 18 03:02:59 2006: Subject: anonymous
Hello
You know, Linux is not that bad. Now I doubt many of you have had the experience of low level programming( programming an Operating System) since all you object-oriented lovers, who can't use low-level languages,( I am not bashing object-oriented programming, but they are not good for every thing ) are good-for-nothing losers. Honestly, look, programming functionally is hard. People only use OO programming because it makes everything easy. Now for people who can't use their head and cant learn C because Pointers are hard or some STUPID thing like that, then they can use OO programming because they like feeling cool too.
The command line is not old. If you have ever programmed an Operating System ( which many of you haven't), then you will realize you can't just call printf or std::cout<<. Oh no! Now that I can't call printf, I am going to go screaming out the door and cry outside. NO! You get your head together and go Google it. The command line also allows you to do stuff you couldn't DREAM of doing in a GUI. For example, why would anyone write a gui utility to ping someone or something.
And for all these people who think Linux, Perl, and non object-oriented programming is hard, Consider this: I learned Linux, command line stuff ( which I think is much better for some things ), C, C++, BASIC, Perl, Python, Java, HTML, XML, MySQL, and JavaScript before the age of 13! Yes that's right before I went into high school! SO if a 10 year old could program c and c++ then I am sure an adult can.
Linux is hard. Oh come on use your head. Read! Install Fedora. It really can't get any easier than that.
Linux is much more customizable. Consider X. Don't like your window manager, get a new one. Don't like any window manager, write your own.
So I think many of these comments are written by stupid idiots at their computers, thinking I am SO SO SO SO Cool, I can write a program! ( Wow in Visual BAsic!) Now I am a computer guy!!!!!! But then, they read a C TUTORIAL and say, "O How do pointers work? The computer has memory? The computer stores everything in numbers? Gosh, I never knew that even though a baby practically knows it." Gosh people get your thoughts together do things even though they are hard.
People who use Windows and don't even like Linux because they can't use it are probably cowards who run away from everything in their life because it is hard. even if the outcome is good.
Sat Jan 21 18:15:12 2006: Subject: Grow up Tom
Note to all linux users: GROW UP
Sat Jan 21 18:19:44 2006: Subject: TonyLawrence
I assure you that a lot of us are quite grown up.
Actually, you Windows folks are going to have a tougher road ahead of you. Because of security needs, Windows Vista isn't going to be as user friendly as past Windows versions - y'all aren't going to like it, but it had to be done.
The OS will be better because of it, though..
Wed Feb 1 05:34:00 2006: Subject: lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consecutor adepsing elit anonymous
Windows is noise. Linux is pop music. BSD is rock.
We rock!!!
Wed Feb 8 13:40:29 2006: Subject: anonymous
At first i wish author to drink poison.
Secondly, i'd say that Linux is suxx.
3 Windows rulez
4 documentation is on English. It in not my native language and this is problem too. Linux is dog shit.
Windows rulezz... linux suxx
Sat Feb 18 05:04:35 2006: Subject: BigDumbDInosaur
At first i wish author to drink poison.
Secondly, i'd say that Linux is suxx.
3 Windows rulez
4 documentation is on English. It in not my native language and this is problem too. Linux is dog shit.
Windows rulezz... linux suxx
Well, it does appear you know enough English to make a fool out of yourself with your "Windows rulezz..." nonsense. With linguistic skills of that caliber you'd fit right in with the high school dropouts that hang around the average big city ghetto.
Sat Feb 18 05:44:20 2006: Subject: anonymous
This is an example of the "No Child left behind" act in full force! This is how the Republicans plan to take over. Only allow the rich to be educated, and brainwash the people who cannot afford it.
Ole Dubya cruised through Yale with "C's", and became president. Is he setting precedence for presidents to be?
My favorite this week is how Dumbya spoke of helping American ween itself off oil, and then cut the funding to alternative energy research. Priceless. Say one thing, and do another. It's only going to get worse. Keep the lies coming Dubya! We will all be able to write like this some day!
Mon Feb 27 16:17:16 2006: Subject: Desktop woes anonymous
2 out of 3 systems I own. I tried several versions of linux...mandrake, suse, fedora and all of these failed to install only showing a blank screen with a blinking cursur then froze up. Forget about usability when one cannot even get the software installed to learn.
James Iha
Wed Mar 1 11:58:02 2006: Subject: anonymous
If you find the command line to be 'fun', you quite clearly don't understand.
Sun Mar 26 02:21:57 2006: Subject: Linux anonymous
Linux won't run many of the popular games that I like to play and it takes way too much time for my tastes...If linux "coders" are so superior then why can't they make it easier to use for people that don't have a mountian of available time? Until you do that, Windows will have the market.
Mon Mar 27 11:12:22 2006: Subject: Do it in windows anonymous
While you are all bitching about this and that. Most of what you are chirping about has nothing to do with OS itself, but rather the applications.
Like WINE there are tools for Windows which allow you to compile and run Linux apps under Windows. Cygwin for example... code bloat you say, well then try http://www.mingw.org/ MSys. MSys provides you with a native linux/unix like console for your Windows system, and the libraries you need to build many open source apps out of the box. You can tinker with and add all kinds of goodies providing much of the power of Linux under Windows. The only thing you can't do (unless you have access to the accademic release) is compile the Windows Kernel... Or can you name some real things that you can't do from windows? (And don't give me search for file and running bash scripts - I can do that using grep and msys)
When you only have a limited amount of time, and time is money. Do you really want to spend all that money on getting something to work. I am really talking about using the machine as desktop and not for server purposes (I use freebsd for that anyway).
Here is a nice example: I want to connect to the office via a netscreen VPN. easy enough... use Open Swan/Strong swan... but it took me 2 days to get it working and make it as friendly to use. Compared to just installing the Netscreen client for windows... (click click). You say I should bitch to the vendor... thats time and money...
I think a lot of people messing with linux as a desktop are:
I don't specify super-computer, main-frames, servers, embedded environments in the above.
So go for it... use Linux (I did for 7 years, since 95). But I don't see what the working man can benefit from a Linux PC that he cannot benefit from a Windows PC.
For the hobby people: consider http://www.vmware.com/ VMware or http://www.qemu.com/ QEmu... then you can still play
with Linux. If it gets nuked you can roll back to the previous state...
Sun Apr 2 14:29:22 2006: Subject: LINUX IS THE WORST OS EVER!!!!! anonymous
check out the anti linux team.
www.al-team.mysite.freeserve.com
cheers, al-team webmaster.
Sun Apr 2 15:35:42 2006: Subject: drag
Some notes for your website that may improve things quite a bit.
A. If your going to bash Linux don't use a website hosted on Linux to do it.
B. If you are going to use Linux try using a professional-style CMS like Drupal. http://drupal.org/ It's a lot easier to setup then using something weird like 'frontpage' and it will give a much more professional look and make your lives easier.
Also if you realy wanted to you could install it along with Apache and Mysql on your Windows box. Then you can probably bash Linux easier by showing how much Windows is even when your using stuff commonly used with Linux.
C. If you want to make a 'trolling' website to attract suckers check out this guy's http://www.bilano.biz/ site. He is a lot better at it then you are.
Have a nice day. :)
Sun Apr 2 20:41:30 2006: Subject: TonyLawrence
Note for the truly clueless: Drag is referring to the www.al-team.mysite.freeserve.com site referenced in the comment above his, not this site.
It is rather ironic that an anti-Linux troller chooses a Linux based site to host their nonsense on :-)
Wed May 24 18:53:45 2006: Subject: linux vs windows anonymous
(your comments go here)its what you get out of it that matters whats it got to do with anybody else,
mind you i have found linux users to be snobs,people are not born computer literate,windows&linux users are both guilty of that.
ps bill gates and co suck anyway.
Mon Jun 12 10:45:47 2006: Subject: anonymous
(A lot of u guys said that Linux is stable, Well i have suse10 installed and it crashes veryoften, sometimes stops responding, then i ---reboot, i also have winXPsp2 and winMCE on the same machine with no problems. Now do you call this stability.
Now about security, i run a small internet cafe and all my 18pc's run on winxpsp2 and winxppro, without any major anti-virus installed(only AVG). It' been more than a year i installed the OS's and they are running without any problem, i just made some adjustments using the administrative tools, and all of the machines are running fine without any virus threat. Now that's what i call security.
I once installed Linux(elx) and it went kaput after two days.
Now about Linux sucks, why linux sucks for me and my business i write here below:
1. Linux is a waste of time, take for e.g., u need to write a formatted document, for this u will use OpenOfficeWriter, now those who have used this OO knows the time it take to startup, around 30sec even on a highend machine. The same thing can be done on windows with MS-word with no time at all or at-least 30sec less of my precious time:-).
Take another scenario where one of my valuable customer brings a word-doc for printing which has a lot of formatting, now suppose i have Linux installed, i open the document in OOwriter, and what a mess the document seems like a garbage. Now should i sit down and reformatt the whole 100pages of the document(which will take me twodays to complete) or move to MS-word and print straightaway.
2. Linux cannot play a lot of common multimedia, most common is the vcd, then dvd, my suse10 doesn't even play mp3 file, now what kind of a desktop os is this, sometimes it even does not recognize that there is a cd in the drive. I doubt what NASA uses Windows or Linux, most probably Linux, now if Linux can't recognize a simple cd on the drive then how is it gonna recognize life on other planet.
3. Installing any new package in linux is almost impossible, an eg. it took only 30sec to install vlcmediaplayer on windows, whereas it took me a whole day to install the same from a tarball in Linux. it is sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooow way too slow. It will also rise your broadband bills if you keep downloading the dependency and lib files.
4. Linux takes a lot of time to boot up to the desktop and shutdown from the desktop. Why on earth does it have to rescan all the hardware and all the unnecessary things every time it boots. This hardware and other scanning and probing is no annoying for a Live linux CD like Knoppix, Ubuntu etc., but for a permanant install it's very annoying.
5. Lack of hardware support, need not mention.
6. Lack of a standard, a few years back RedHat was the only Linux i knew, now there are more than a hundred of distros, very difficult to choose which one is the best of the lot. A software running on one distro does not run on the other is also a major problem.
7. Last and the most important one for me, linux cannot run even a single game released for the PC, games like Fifa, NBA, NFSseries, and a whole lot of others.
There are a lot of other things like lack of full audioediting, videoediting tools, some distro do not recognize more than one cd drive on the pc, same is the case with harddrive,it also does not detect my new USB digital camera, webcam, bluetooth, my 6800gt graphics card.
Linux has been a hell ride for me.
I think microsoft will always be on the top cos it has lot of dollars under it's hood. And for Linux i think BillGates will give a copy of Linux free with every copy of windows later in the future.
Please stop piracy---- When u purchase a PC u are buying the hardware, u are paying for the hardware that is inside your machine. So when u are paying for the hardware, why don't u pay for the software. I agree that US$125 for an OS is a little expensive, but nowadays with the price of hardware falling rapidly, this is easily affordable. Why blame only microsoft selling their products at higher rates, look around and u will find many like microsoft,-- oracle, adobe systems, Nero, symantec, mc-afee, and a lod of others nothing comes for free. In case if anyone forgot, everything u use in your life, u pay for it, think of telephone u use, cabletv u watch, clothes u wear, food u eat, wine u drink, the bed u sleep, car u travel, water u drink, etc etc etc....................... )
Mon Jun 19 16:09:32 2006: Subject: What a bunch of morons anonymous
I'm a mechanical engineer in the aviation industry. According to the "logic" that you supposedly intellectually superior linux users have, we get to call you morons because you just fly the plane but don't know ANYTHING compared to what the engineers on the structural side know about the plane, or the material science engineers know about the plane, etc. And people who aren't civil engineers should be ridiculed for not knowing the mechanics behind the bridge they are driving over.
I actually USE my computer to run NX4, a CAE system. I USE my computer to listen to music, to function with my mp3 player, I USE my computer to surf the net wirelessly. I don't need to "really use" my computer to spend an hour trying to make wireless technology, which a child could enable in windows, work in linux, so I can go on the net.
The day you learn everything behind every single item or system you use (politics, medicine, engineering, economics, business, etc...) then you morons can claim to stand on higher intellectual ground. Until then, go back to USING your computer to write some code so that you can play tetris on linux.
Mon Jun 19 21:01:25 2006: Subject: TonyLawrence
I think we have enough comments here, so I'm going to cut them off.
If you really feel you have something important to say, send me email and maybe I'll post it.
But be darn sure you have really READ everything first. I'm not going to post anything that just repeats what has already been said.
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