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Correcting Common Linux Misconceptions?

Posted by Cliff on from the thou-shalt-not-fear-the-penguins dept.

abolishPenguinPhobia asks: "I am a teacher at a comm. college and was looking to install Linux on a couple machines for students to use. I figured since the students have to learn *nix anyway they might as well have access to some Linux machines. Anyhoo...I was told by the network administrator that the linux machines were not to be connected to the network for fear of viri, DoS attacks, and so on. My question for the /. community: Why do people fear Linux? It seems to me that people are misinformed that Linux is only a 'hackers' OS. How can we change this?" This is only one of the common Linux "myths", and there are several more where these came from. Is there a central clearing house of such myths and intelligent efforts at debunking them somewhere online?

3 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. For their own protection... by phamlen · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm sure he was suggesting they stay off the network for their own protection. After all, there are a LOT of viruses on Windows networks - especially if you're running Office.

    It's nice of him to try to keep the Linux boxes safe - but he shouldn't worry. They're strong enough to surive even in such a dangerous environment.

  2. Either he's a Bastard or a moron. by azephrahel · · Score: 1, Funny

    My bet is, he's a Bastard.
    Yea he could be moron and really belive that, but here the quetions:

    Does anything get installed HW or SW that he doesnt approve? no=bastard, yes=moron.

    Are all of the schools servers running windows? yes=probably moron.

    Is he pissed about the servers running windows?
    yes=he's OK, no=deffinately moron.

    There's really only two ways to go, he's either protecting his territory, making sure no one encroaches, or he's a moron.

    --
    You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely.
  3. Reasons by uslinux.net · · Score: 4, Funny
    My old employer used to be the same way. They didn't want non-NT systems on their network because those systems allowed "too much control and access of the network and its resources". Essentially, they were afraid Linux was too powerful, and that users might be able to compromise an NT system by using a Linux system. Yes, as bizarre as it sounds, that was their reasoning. I suppose it was more than NT, as insecure, bug ridden, and exploit prone as it is was at least a known quantity - something they could patch the hell out of and continue on their way.


    It's funny, you'd like gov't defense contractors dealing with classified information would WANT a more secure OS...