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Ubuntu, Macintosh and Windows XP
LXer has an interesting look at the big three operating systems with some surprising results. From the article: "If you think that a Linux advocate cannot make an objective analysis of desktop operating systems, then you need to read this report. You may find yourself surprised with some brutal honesty that leaves out the free software philosophy."
Yeah, really, they shouldn't have posted this story just because digg had it. It's a completely useless article, basically just a guy trying to show off his knowledge of OS's. Post the good articles, not all the stupid articles that have been "dugg" by the asshat users at digg.com. Those dumb fuckers will digg just about anything.
#!/
I may despise Windows, but i'll never say it isn't a good OS.
Then you're a tool.
If you want to make money, it's better for development,
That must be why UNIX developers get paid more.
and development tools are easier.
Then why do UNIX developers _willingly_ develop on UNIX, for zero-cost and for Free Software, but rarely do so on Windows?
Windows is better, hands down because everyone knows it,
No, nobody knows it. Many people think they do, but the fact that greater than 20% of Windows users are virus-encrusted zombies, and 60% get regularly spiked with new vulnerabilities, I'd say that at most 20% of Windows users either know Windows, or are lucky. I'd generally vote the latter.
there is a great deal of software support for it
So what? There's a great deal of software support available for UNIX. Generally that support is more reliable as well.
and games are written for it.
So what? Games are also written for UNIX. Games are also written for the Gamecube.
For the techy, however, Linux can be better in that it is control, speed, and reliability.
No, absolutely not. People that use Linux want to use it. There are people who are dedicated to Linux. These people want the Freedoms that are available to them there, and they are building Linux as a desktop and an Operating System themselves. That is, Linux is becomming the operating system that HUMAN BEINGS want to use.
Windows is simply the operating system Microsoft wants you to use, and I'm certain they have your productivity in mind, that's why I spent an hour "activating" Microsoft software today for a client.
Moving to OSX in droves? where is your proof?
The fact is, Apple hasn't gained markeshare over Windows since OSX was introduced in 2000. Even though each new generation of OSX has improved upon itself and offered an superior OS to Windows, still, few people are making the switch. Even Apple admits that it's switch campainge has failed, and if it were not for the iPod, Apple probably would have seen far less Mac sales then there has been.
The fact it, most companies are not going to switch to OSX for the simple cost of ownership. Having to replace your existing desktop systems with expensive Mac systems just to switch OS'ses doesn't make good business sense. You are talking about corporations with thousands of desktop computers, not just a home user deciding if they want to swap their Dell desktop or notebook for a fancy Apple. No company is going to justify buying 1000 new G5 PowerMac's just to run OSX. Once you switch to OSX, you have to buy a whole slew of applications for it as well, which compounds the cost.
Application support just isn't in OSX also because the development environment for Windows is so much easier and more robust then OSX. XCode and Objective C, while free, represents everything that is wrong with Apple, their adherance to old philosophies that are failing, but too much ego is involved to let it go. XCode and ObjectiveC was supposed to make designing apps for Macs easy and braindead, even for the non-programmer, instead it confounds real programmers and hobbyists alike. If your serious about Mac programming, then you use CodeWarrior instead of Apple's free tools. Without good software tools, then the slew of shareware and freeware apps that PC users get to use just isn't available on the Mac platform.
I will whole heartedly agree that Microsoft has a lot to fear with Ubuntuu and other Linux alternatives. The ability to install a "free" OS on their existing hardware, often brining old hardware back to life with a more robust OS that isn't heavily laden with extras is very enticing. But to suggest that people are adopting OSX in droves is just unfounded.
Microsoft will never have to worry about OSX, in fact, with people finding ways of running WindowsXP aond the new Macintels, Microsoft is laughing their way to the bank as PC users buy Apple's to run Windows in a fancy box.
I haven't thought of anything clever to put here, but then again most of you haven't either.
Duh. The point was to spew more FUD on Free Software. It is, after all, Slashdot.