DISQUS

James · 1 year ago

Hello, great post. I agree with all of that above. I've been using some sort of *nix for years now and much prefer it to other types of Operating systems.

(one slight correction to #11, on OS X some of the programs actually put files in other places on the system. There are programs that delete them... but it's not always as easy as trashing an app)

Dave · 1 year ago

There are Linux zealots and Windows zealots (Macs zealots are known as bigots). It appears you are none of these... which is a good thing.

I run Linux at home as my main OS. I have Windows on a separate drive that I can reboot into if the need arises. I used run exclusively Mac computers and I will do so again next time I can afford a new computer.

I am not blind to any of the flaws of any of my operating systems. They all have flaws. After adding up all the flaws, I found that the ones in Linux bugged me less than the ones in Windows. The ones in Mac OS X bug me even less than the Linux ones.

That said, I was a little disappointed with not finding anything I would describe as "the coolest thing you can do using Linux that you can’t do with Windows or on a Mac?" in either Matthew's article or yours.

Compiz doesn't really count because Mac OS X had Expose years ago and Vista has fancy effects too. Not the same fancy effects but still fancy effects.

apt-get doesn't really qualify on the "cool" part. It's kinda cool for geeks but try explaining this to your girlfriend or your mother and watch how quickly they tune out.

Pretty much anything on the command line can be run under Windows with Cygwin and on a Mac natively. In fact, apparently you can even run KDE under Cygwin.

Verifying the source code to not contain bugs, security flaws and backdoors is all well and good but fails, again, on the "cool" criteria.

The most important feature of Linux: knowing that it is free (as in freedom) and cannot be taken away from you is the main reason Richard Stallman gets up in the morning... and therefore is not cool.

It looks like the only thing you can do as a Linux user that you can't as a Mac or Windows user is this: http://xkcd.com/272/

Zac Garrett · 1 year ago

It is true that #11 isn't exactly 100% accurate. According to the devel docs from Apple it should be. As with any guideline it is not followed 100% of the time, which is why working with MS software on OS X is just plain wrong.

I've yet to find a valid reason why you have to actually install MS Office instead of just dragging the app into the Applications folder. If I remember correctly you have to install Pages in the same way, so I must be missing something in there.

Zac Garrett · 1 year ago

Yeah, fanboys of all camps are just plain scary. The definition of a fanboy to me is someone who thinks that a company can not do anything wrong. For example, someone saying that Vista is the best OS ever released without some sort of disclaimer.

"In fact, apparently you can even run KDE under Cygwin."
I actually did run KDE in cygwin many a moons ago before I switched over to Linux on my old laptop. If I remember correctly it was the fall of 2003 because I was taking a Cisco networking class.

Today for most of my Linux needs I switch on a virtual machine and get the job done. For me I do not see the need to have a dedicated desktop for Linux as nearly everything I want to do can be done elsewhere.

The very best part of Linux in my opinion is the sheer number of developers creating wonderful free software. Developers love Linux. In the security arena there are many pieces of software that will only work on a dedicated Linux box. Kistmet is one example. Someone did create Kismac, but the original is far superior.

Another thing that I like about Linux is servers. I would rather sit in the command line any day than try to figure out IIS's screwed up GUI options. Tweaking settings in a config file is just far easier, at least for me.

So, where do I see Linux in the future? The same place it is right now; on the server and a select few desktops. There is no need for Linux to explode on the desktop market, it is just too complex for the average computer user. Just look at my dad, it took me about 30 minutes on the phone to explain how to install Firefox on OS X. (a process which entails dragging Firefox.app into the Applications folder and then running it from there)

The one thing that almost all Linux users forget is actual end users.

Jake · 1 year ago

#2: My hardware is reaching the 10 year point, and each version of Ubuntu runs a little faster on it. Well, I haven't done any formal benchmarks, but I'm definitely not seeing speed decreases as I upgrade.

#9: On several points above you argued about end users perspective (which the article you're critiquing is a mix of perspectives) and yet now you are switching back to a geekier perspective. Also, the end-user Mac people I know still have to reboot fairly often, but I don't know about you. :)

#13: I just loaded a 466MHz Celeron into Kate OS (because it was the only PC off) in 18 seconds. And yes, it has compositing effects.

#15: I'm doing it 256MB of RAM, and you? :)

#17: Umm, multiple desktops require clicking between boxes on a toolbar. Even non computer savy people such as my younger brother had this one figured out in a matter of seconds.

#19: Even if the entire system isn't old, being able to use legacy devices can be useful. Get my colorado backup drive to work on OS X and I will be amazed.

#20: I haven't installed OS X, but this process is still much quicker than XP or Vista.

#21: Well, I didn't realize this. I've only ever used one USB sound card in Linux, and it worked perfectly. I guess I didn't realize. :-\ I always just went by the line on the Linux USB website when I was looking for a card "USB audio systems such as speakers normally comply with the USB audio class specification. If your audio device does not comply with the specification, it will not work with Linux at this time." As I said though, I have limited experience here.

If you really hate tweaking options and that hurts your productivity, just go with a distro that doesn't let you do as much. PCLOS comes to mind. SUSE, but not as much. For me, I'll stick with Debian where I have my setup exactly how I like it.

Anjuan · 1 year ago

Very good rebuttal. I think the one area that Linux needs to make vast improvements in is installing and removing software. Sure, you can use the command line to do this all at once, but the simple ability to double click an installation program in Windows and have it install makes it easy for end users to adopt. Until that comes to Linux, I do not think that it will become mainstream.

Zac Garrett · 1 year ago

Actually, by default in Ubuntu you do have a software manager that makes software management quite easy. http://www.nongnu.org/synaptic/

It is actually easier to install software in Ubuntu than on Windows. This is due to the fact that you do not have to go out and search for the software, it is all in one easy to use location.

The problem with this is that how many non-geeks actually install software? Most of the people I work with are very non-technical and never install software. If they want something installed they have no idea what to do and usually and just have me do it.

serious · 1 year ago

hi there. both you and that guy who wrote the list have some valid points but sometimes sound like total morons. first thing he does is reissuing the same thing a thousand times (baad thing). still he misses some things like having the freedom of choice (which is imo one of the most important things). you on the other hand say that just because the "normal noob" does not care it isn't a valid feature and important thing. most noobs also don't really care about their computer internals and still they are important as they work for them - the same as the open source idea does work for them.

regards
serious

Jonathan · 1 year ago

Interesting essay. Well, there are just a few things Microsoft Windows can do that linux cannot:

(1) Let the system administrator restrict operating hours for *certain* users (children) when they are permitted to log on, and when they are prohibited from loggin on.

(2) Download malware onto the hard drive just from clicking porn sites on the web.

(3) Redistribute malware to others via email.

(4) Hose the graphical user interface to the point where it's unusable in half an hour, via malware.

Ballox · 1 year ago

im not reading this im simply saying

PLAY DIRECT X GAMES ? hhahahahahahhahahahahahhaha From Z gamers

Mike Mixer · 12 months ago

I think maybe your bloomers are too tight Ethel. You keep asking " Who does this" and I have to say that only people who are uncomfortable without their hand being held should buy a Mac as you obviously have been conditioned to accept what your master puts before you. As a rebuttle this article only proves that lemmings exist in human form.