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Linux Desktop Myths Examined

Call Me Black Cloud writes "NewsFactor Network has an overview of the $95.00 Gartner report titled, "Myths of Linux on the Desktop". It's a good look at several points from the perspective of a corporate user, not a home user."

19 of 616 comments (clear)

  1. There's a typo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The title should have been "The Myth of Linux on the Desktop".

  2. $95 report? by pecosdave · · Score: 2, Funny

    Way to stick to the spirit of open source that you're reporting on!

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    The preceding post was not a Slashvertisement.
  3. Myth #2 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    NewsFactor Network is ready for a slashdotting.

  4. Do the math... by borgdows · · Score: 3, Funny

    Price: US $ 95.00
    Pages: 6

    95 : 6 = 15.83$ per page !

    wow! their business plan might be :

    1) find something interesting /. crowd
    2) write a 6 pages report (not necessarily interesting)
    3) ???
    4) PROFIT!!

  5. Re:Dispersing the Linux Myths by snoochyboochy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Lookout everybody, Balmer's started reading /.!!!

  6. I guess this is one time... by mfifer · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...when NOT reading the article will be considered excusable ;-)

  7. There is a more insidious thing about Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hello,

    Recently I've been introduced to an operating system known as Linux.

    Lured by its low cost, I replaced Windows 98 on my computer with Linux. Unfortunately the more I use it the more I fear that this "Linux" may be an insidious way for the Dark One to gain a stronger foothold here on Earth. I know this may be a shocking claim, but I have evidence to back it up!

    To begin with, Linux is based off of an older, obsolete OS called "BSD Unix". The child-indoctrinatingly-cute cartoon mascot of this OS is a devil holding a pitchfork. This OS -- and its Linux offspring -- extensively use what are unsettingly called "daemons" (which is how Pagans write "demon" -- they are notoriously poor spellers: magick, vampyre, etc.) which is a program that hides in the background, doing things without the user's notice. If you are using a computer running Linux then you probably have these "demons" on your computer, hardly something a good Christian would want! Furthermore in order to start or stop these "demons" a user must execute a command called "finger". By "fingering" a "demon" one excercises an unholy power, much the same way that the Lord of Flies controls his black minions.

    Linux contains another Satanic holdover from the "BSD Unix" OS mentioned above; to open up certain locked files one has to run a program much like the DOS prompt in Microsoft Windows and type in a secret code: "chmod 666". What other horrors lurk in this thing?

    Consider some of these other Linux commands: "sleep", "mount", "unzip", "strip" and "touch". All highly suggestive in a sexual nature. I know that our Lord cannot approve of these, and I urge them to be renamed to something appropriate to the Christian community. Interestingly "CONTROL-G" (the sixth key from the left of the keyboard) does an abort. To write files a "VI" editor is included. All these are to ensnare the unsuspecting christian who could get tempted by typing "VIVIVI" all day long.

    Fourth, Linux uses a flavor of DOS known as Bash. Bash is an acronym for "Bourne Again Shell". On the surface this would appear to be supportive of the Lord. However, remember that even Satan can quote the bible for his own purposes! While I believe Linux may be born-again, its obvious by the misspelling of "born" that its not born-again in an Christian church. Will the lies ever cease?

    Additionally, one of the main long-haired hippies involved with the GNU Free Software Foundation supports communism, contraception and abortion. He has consistently supported 60's counter-cultural "values", and his web site even advocates government support of contraception. He also wears fake halos, and has quips about his made-up church that relates to his free software. I find such blasphemy to be extremely unsettling.

    One must also remember that the creator of Linux, a college student named Linux Torvaldis, comes from Finland. I'm sure all the followers of Christ are aware of the heritical nature of the Finnish: from necrophilia to human sacrifice, Finnish culture is awash in sin. I find little reason to believe anything good and holy could arise from this evil land.

    Finally, let us remember that there is an alternative to using the Satan-powered Linux. I think history has shown us that Microsoft is quite holy. I'm told that its founder, William Gates is a strong supporter of our Lord and I encourage my fellow Christians to buy only his products to help keep the Devil at bay.

    I wish I had more time to expound upon my findings. Unfortunately a family of Jews has moved in across the street and I must go speak to them of Jesus Christ before they are condemned to eternal hellfire.

    Please investigate this as you see fit and I'm sure you'll reach the same conclusions that I have.

    1. Re:There is a more insidious thing about Linux by plastik55 · · Score: 5, Funny
      Very interesting. Were you also aware of
      • the distribution named "Mandrake" (after an herbal drug used in witchcraft)
      • the e-mail program named "Evolution" produced by a company named "ximian" whose logo is some kind of monkey, intended to seed Darwinist propaganda.
      • The informal, Pagan caste system used by open source advocates, with "wizard" and "guru" being the highest levels. Indeed, Open Source terminology is rive with Pagan references; check the so-called "jargon file" for terms such as "deep magic," "incantation," "rain dance," "voodoo programming," "wave a dead chicken," and "magic numbers."
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      I have a positive modifier on Troll. When I mod someone Troll their karma should go UP!

    2. Re:There is a more insidious thing about Linux by swankypimp · · Score: 2, Funny

      Perhaps you should use this operating system.

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      --All your stolen base are belong to Rickey Henderson
    3. Re:There is a more insidious thing about Linux by Holocaust+Administra · · Score: 3, Funny

      You're just mad because Linux is a competing religion.

      --
      Just say No.
  8. Re:Half Right by MrPink2U · · Score: 5, Funny

    Are you actually suggesting that in-house support is free? If so, you sound like management material to me!

  9. In Soviet Russia... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ... the Linux Desktop owns you - probably because you can't afford Windows...

  10. Re:Some FUD, not all by Bingo+Foo · · Score: 4, Funny
    I also don't believe Linux saves money on hardware compared to Windows - it seems many offices are holding back with Windows upgrades, and IT expenditures on all desktop hardware and software seems to be slowing. For most people, Win2K is fine.

    Actually Linux does save money on hardware, because by the time decent drivers for a piece of hardware have been written for Linux, you can pick up that hardware at the swap meet in the bargain bin.

    </snub>

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    taken! (by Davidleeroth) Thanks Bingo Foo!
  11. Re:Lets take an objective aproach. by rsilvergun · · Score: 4, Funny

    "3720 terminal emulator" Shouldn't that read 3720 terminal emulators?

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  12. Re:Some FUD, not all by rushiferu · · Score: 4, Funny

    "they are often pointless mental exercises without much factual backing."

    Sorta like Slashdot post, right?

  13. Live and LEARN by w3weasel · · Score: 3, Funny

    Congrats for making it all the way down here in the posts... you must be really bored. For those comments above that "don't really see anything wrong with... [MS improving the OS by prescribing hardware]". I will assume you didnt follow the anti-trust case very closely. I would strongly urge you to CAREFULLY read the Findings of Fact. Surprisingly, the Judge in this phase of the trial nailed the issue... its only too bad the meat of this document was overlooked by virtually everyone else. In short, MS was proven to have manipulated and maintained an "Applications Barrier To Entry". Which means if you don't have the developers writing for your OS, then you ain't gonna compete with MS. Well, now that MS has been [*cough!*] disciplined, and is a good citizen, there surely is no real harm in them having direct control of hardware that will support all the third party software that will run on it. For those who think this might not be a bad thing, I hear the Jeff Dahmer is reformed and available to babysit your kids... when can he come over?

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    Just as irrigation is the lifeblood of the Southwest, lifeblood is the soup of cannibals. -- Jack Handy

  14. Support costs by FooBarWidget · · Score: 3, Funny

    "but enterprises that require vendor support for their client OS will need to pay for it."

    All I can say to this article is duh!

    Like the anti-open source people say, "you get what you pay for".
    So if you want more support, then pay for it! Why should Linux and it's associated companies give away everything for free? You're supposed to pay for quality products!

    First people complain that it's free ("free = amateur/bad/whatever"), and now people complain that it's NOT free. *sigh*...

  15. Re:Lets take an objective aproach. by Torgo's+Pizza · · Score: 2, Funny
    Ah, but you forget that Windows also comes with:

    * Solitare

    * Minefield

    Together, these two "killer apps" is what really separates the two operating systems. Just wait. I hear that Microsoft is working on a two-player version of Solitare that is going to seal the fate of Red Hat and it's ilk.

  16. Holy COW what a concept. by ratfynk · · Score: 2, Funny

    Holy COW What a concept.
    Forget about making money from IT, forget about buisiness and networking. Just make money from cheesy journalism. It's like not having to actually do anything. Just write a book and sell it.
    If I were to write a book about software admin, I would Include lots of pics of secretaries doing nasty things to hardware, while the server admin is writing a book about how many nodes can sit on the head of a pin per dollar.

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    OH THE SHAME I fell off the wagon and use sigs again!