These are a few of my favorite things

Linux

I have to admit, I didn't warm to Linux right away. Early releases were fairly sad and exhibited a lot of problems. They were also missing important things like "sar".

There was also a lot of change I didn't like. For example, Linux "ps" really ticked me off until I understood WHY things had been done that way. I didn't like Linux fdisk (and still don't, but heck, it does the job) and other things.

But over time, I softened. Grub really impressed me. At first I didn't like the /etc/rc scheme of Linux but again it grew on me.. and most of all, I began to really appreciate having available source.

It's not that I need it often: "man" and Google are what I'm much more likely to turn to. But in the few cases where I've either really needed details or needed to make something work MY way, having that source is wonderful

I'm also politically aligned with the Linux philosophy of sharing. I really believe that open source is important for the world. I align with Linux on patent and copyright issues for the same reason. Closed, locked up source code harms all of us.

BSD

I love BSD for its stability. Unlike Linux, the pace of change is slow and deliberate. That distinction does create tension and ambivalence: I appreciate Linux because it does advance so quickly but I appreciate BSD holding back on the reins.. I'm glad both of them exist.

Mac OS X

I'm lazy. I like OS X because there it is, ready to go to work on Apple hardware. No drivers to search for, no incompatibilities. It's a BSD base, but Apple pushes the envelope a bit - not to the extent Linux does, but excitement like Time Machine, and Spotlight are forward thinking. I like that, and those things definitely improve my computing experience.

There's definitely some Open Source Guilt, though. I like my Mac, but the Linux box keeps looking at me reproachfully.

See Why I love Unix and WHY I hate Windows also.

Click here to add your comments




Wed Mar 25 18:38:40 2009: Subject:   BrettLegree
http://6weeks.ca

Apparently great (twisted?) minds think alike, because I am sure I'd have written something along these lines.





Wed Mar 25 20:56:36 2009: Subject:   MikeHostetler
http://squarepegsystems.com

Great and twisted minds do think a like .. . . I totally agree with this.

I think your arguments of fdisk and the change to grub are valid, but how often do you use fdisk and grub? The ps thing, though, is another matter.

I've discussed my feelings on the Apple Tax on my blog:

http://mike.hostetlerhome.com/2009/03/17/the-apple-tax-angers-me/

Good hardware, wonderful OS, but I think that my ideals lie more with Linus than Jobs. I think my next machine will be Linux-only.



Sun Mar 29 11:40:57 2009: Subject:   TonyLawrence


The point about fdisk and grub is that when I need tools like that for troubleshooting rather than installation, they need to be powerful..

Don't miss responses! Subscribe to Comments by RSS or by Email

Click here to add your comments

If you want a picture to show with your comment, go get a Gravatar

Phone and Email Support at Monthly rates

Jump to Comments

Many of the products and books I review are things I purchased for my own use. Some were given to me specifically for the purpose of reviewing them. I resell or can earn commissions from the sale of some of these items. Links within these pages may be affiliate links that pay me for referring you to them. That's mostly insignificant amounts of money; whenever it is not I have made my relationship plain. I also may own stock in companies mentioned here. If you have any question, please do feel free to contact me.

Specific links that take you to pages that allow you to purchase the item I reviewed are very likely to pay me a commission. Many of the books I review were given to me by the publishers specifically for the purpose of writing a review. These gifts and referral fees do not affect my opinions; I often give bad reviews anyway.

We use Google third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.