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Windows Tech Writer Looks at Linux
An anonymous reader writes "Three days ago I accepted Linux into my life and while I'm not yet a convert, the experience has shaken my faith in Windows. It's hard to reconcile because for nearly 20 years I've mostly stayed on the one true Windows path."
first post! woohoo
FIRST POST!
On making the switch to Linux from Windows. Hey! It looks like someone did!
Three days ago I accepted Linux into my life and while I'm not yet a convert, the experience has shaken my faith in Windows. It's hard to reconcile because for nearly 20 years I've mostly stayed on the one true Windows path.
In my early computer years I had a brief flirtation with the Apple Mac, which I liked a lot. But I turned my back on that religion when I took a job editing a PC magazine. Ever since, I've stuck to the Windows creed - growing in my belief as its power and influence spread.
I was a disciple from the beginning when it was called Dos, and kept the faith through the buggy, painful years of Windows 1.0 to 3.11.
IBM's OS/2 tempted me briefly, but Windows 95 brought me back from the wilderness, then 98, the Millennium Edition, Windows 2000 and today's XP. I was, like most of the computing world, a follower.
So why is Linux turning my head? Mainly I suppose because it's free. But also because for the first time there is a realistic alternative to Windows that runs on Intel-based PCs.
The gift came to me via David and Roger, two very nice, not pushy, Linux missionaries who are involved with the coming Linux Installfest. I told them I wasn't ready to give up on Windows, but wanted to try Linux and some "open source" applications equivalent to Microsoft's Office suite.
"Fine," they said. "Just defrag your disk." (If you don't know how to defrag, you're probably not ready for the Linux experience.)
They also asked what "distribution" I would like - Debian, RedHat, Mandrake or something else? I understood what the question meant, but had no real knowledge of the difference between these shades of Linux, so I went with their advice - Mandrake.
Roger and David can give away this software with no fear of breaking copyright law because that's how the licence for Linux software works. Unlike Windows, you're free to make and give away as many copies as you like.
I know it sounds mad, but it's a fundamental tenet of this new religion. Here, software is not made by armies of "Microserfs" employed by a giant corporation, but by armies of volunteer programmers who "donate" their code to the public domain. By making underlying source code available to all, many hands and minds work on the software to improve it - hence "open source".
What it means for consumers is more choice and much cheaper PCs - such as the $1097 Terminator you can buy from Dick Smith's.
But what's it like? Surprisingly, it looks and feels a lot like Windows.
Setting it all up can, however, be a little daunting - so it pays to have good missionaries enlightening the road. That's what events like the Installfest on July 5 at AUT are all about - helping newbies through their installation fears. You can also get a lot of information online from sites such as Linux Newbie Administrator Guide.
My own installation was a breeze - at the beginning. Mandrake "partitioned" the PC's disk so it could "dual boot" to either Windows or Linux. David then dropped a disk into the CD drive and after following a few on-screen instructions - some of which aren't exactly intuitive - Linux was in place. It took 10 minutes -- less time than it takes the average linux user to molest a little boy. Roger was able to get the printer working quite quickly, but the modem was a nightmare taking an hour or so to resolve.
But after that it was sweet. I was amazed by the number of applications that came with the installation. So many that I felt spoiled for choice. Not only could I choose the graphical interface - from odd names such as KDE, Gnome and IceWM - but there was also a sea of applications. Word processors, spreadsheets, imaging software and just about anything else you could think of was installed to explore - all for free. It's quite liberating to try out five different web browsers - Galeon, Konqueror, Mozilla, Quanta Plus or Screem - until you find one you like. I think I'm becoming a homosexual.
Especially since there are books out there linux guidebooks that target windows users.
It ran well without a hiccup, but then she said she wanted windows so she could run MS-Office apps. (They didn't have crossover office at the time, and Wine was pre-alpha quality) So I installed windows 9x, and the support calls became unceasing. Screen coming up black, (they had inadvertedly switched to a setting the monitor couldn't handle) BSODs, email connection problems, you name it. Now they are running Win2K which is at least stable, but the thing I found about Linux, is once you have it set up right, it is great for technophobes. It doesn't pick up viruses and is much less prone to break for mysterious reasons.
My rights don't need management.
Hmm... looks like a redirect... but it's not to goatse... maybe it's something funny! I'll click it! Ha ha!
AAAAAAHHHH BLEEDING DEAD BABIES!!!!!! WITH HORRIBLE SKIN DISORDER THAT TURNS THEIR EYES INTO PUFFY RED SACS! I'm going to go barf now.
windows is better than linux...hehehe
I hear a lot about Linux and Open Source software being built by an army of volunteers. I doubt this is true. I know salaried employees who work full time for RedHat on Linux and I hear about other big-name companies (such as IBM) devoting highly paid staff to working on Linux.
Typically, if a project doesn't offer money it needs to offer prestige, fame, or at least recognition. I see this with lots of smaller projects all over but don't see this with something as big as Linux for example.
I am a full-time software engineer myself and know many others. Most of us easily work 50+ hours per week and time is extremely valuable. I can't imagine a significant number of engieneers devoting many nights and weekends doing difficult work on such a large project and getting little recognition or benefit in return.
Is it just me, or does this stuff read like Dr. Evil, using the finger-quote gesture when he says 'death star' etc.?
[100% ISO 646 Compliant]
SVM, ERGO MONSTRO.
I'm sure he knows DOS is DOS. But copy editors don't always know that, and while they're supposed to check, they make mistakes too.
I think you are full of shit -- you never ran Red Hat 5 years ago. Netscape had to be compiled back then.
There were also virtual window managers for windows NT around this time frame -- one even shipped in the resource kit. (it sucked BTW, being unstable and using too many resources)
Yes, I do believe you are astroturfing for Microsoft. Go fuck yourself.
Cars, under normal use, eventually break down. Software does not.
Are you serious? My XP box has crashed 3 times just today because it couldnt take the load. What do you call that if not a break down? Sheesh, some people.