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Should the Linux Desktop Be "Pure?"

Posted by kdawson on from the debatable-points dept.

jammag writes "According to Matt Hartley, many Linux desktop users don't like to admit that there's scads of closed source code commonly used with the Linux desktop. Hartley points to examples like proprietary drivers, the popularity of Skype among Linux users (in preference to the open source Ekiga), and the use of Wine. He concludes that, hey, if the code works, use it — a stance that won't sit well with purists. But his article raises the question: is it better to embrace some closed source fixes, and so create a larger user base, or to remain pure, and keep Linux for the specialists?"

4 of 665 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Stupid question by pushing-robot · · Score: 3, Funny

    Good.

    --
    How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
  2. Re:At least respect the purists. by bsDaemon · · Score: 3, Funny

    GNU/Linux is the virtual America.

    Does that make RMS the virtual Bush? Well, I guess they both have about 30% approval ratings among their own citizens and most of the rest of the world thinks they're nuts... so, yeah. I can see that.

  3. Re:Not a troll. by wendyo · · Score: 2, Funny

    A few innocuous, well-placed lines of code and suddenly you'd be in a position to shut down half the internet.

    Yeah righhht. Innocuous [def: not causing or capable of causing harm]. A few lines of really malicious code will not bring down half the internet, never mind innocuous.

  4. Use of Wine by the_olo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hartley points to examples like proprietary drivers, the popularity of Skype among Linux users (in preference to the open source Ekiga), and the use of Wine.

    Hey, don't blame Linux users for that Wine stuff! The use of Wine is a tradition that dates back to ancient China 9000 B.C.!

    I agree that its overuse causes some problems tho.