...for what it's worth, as to the reasons Linux isn't spreading as quickly as was hoped:
(1) Crap-all marketing. Windows has posters, flyers, tv spots, and general awareness by most computers users. Apple has poster, tv spots, attractive retail stores, and in most cases a general awareness by most computer users. What does Linux have? At best, word of mouth.
(2) Lack of commercial apps. Don't give me crap about being able to use GIMP for free - armature and profession photographers want professional-level tools like Photoshop. They WILL pirate the damn thing if necessary.
(3) Path of least resistance. Moving from one operating system to another is generally an exercise in trading one set of hassles for another. It's not often that it's a painless experience. Moving to a Mac though is much more realistic for someone fed-up with Windows than moving to Linux however, due to points (1) and (2).
Finally, the biggest reason of all - why change? Windows just isn't that bad if you know how to use a computer. Most people have more important things to do in life than worry about operating systems, or at least they do once they get to a certain age when priorities become clearer.
I live in Australia, so I don't really know much about this Rush Limbaugh fellow.
But from a glance at the last name I, for just a brief second, saw the article title as
Bill Lumbergh Begs Steve Jobs For Bug Fixes
"Steve, what happening? Look, I've got some problems with my Mac here, it's being a bit of a bother... yeah... so if could you come in on Saturday to fix it, maybe even Sunday... that would be terrific... mkay?"
Hrm. I took a different path to you - I got around the activation issue by using a pre-activated OEM version. PLUS it installed Service Pack 1 via Windows Update (using a hacked reg key) just fine. Now I have nice clean OS which runs all my commercial software that Linux can't. How about that.:)
I opened up Word 2007. Typed in a URL. Right clicked, selected "Open Hyperlink" and you know what?
It opened in Firefox. Once again, Slashdot hasn't verified the info they decide to publish. Perhaps it opens IE for some people - I'm using Vista, so maybe the URL handler has a subtle difference to XP. In any case, the article is still flawed.
What are you talking about? Everyone who's seen at least one blue screen or "illegal operation" (particularly if they've been around the peek of Windows 95/98) would have something to say about Microsoft.
Perhaps you're suggesting people have forgotten, which is fair enough.
I'm not surprised about Brecta suggesting to avoid Vista + Office 2K7 on cost grounds. Even suggesting OO sounds reasonable. But that part that surprised me the most?
Becta is advising British schools to take a long look at Linux
A Government department suggesting schools investigate the use of Linux? That's rather encouraging and should be seen as significant.
Oh please. I like Linux as much as the next person (and use Ubuntu on 2 desktops), the the idea that the Linux on the desktop has doubled in 2007 is absurd. Of course I expect this kind of "reporting" from someone who insists on writing GNU/Linux all the time instead of just Linux (it's nice to be accurate, but the GNU pedantry annoys more people than it attracts).
I dunno. It's hard to get figures, but given how small the market share is for Linux on the desktop anyway, doubling it would not be out of the question, at least in the geek community where the majority of its desktop use would be.
What? How could you possibly have skipped out on getting the flying car?
I've got one right here. Sure I had to lose a foot and allow a mad German scientist and his friends have their way with me, but man... it's the FLYING CAR!!!
Because we live in a Windows world, that's why. Interoperability with existing software is more realistic than some zealot's idea of switching operating systems just for a little extra security.
I'm using Vista, no big deal for me. But then again, I make up my own mind and only read stuff like this (and hence the majority of kdawson's postings) for a laugh.
Of course there are problems, plenty of bad design issues. But then again, there are in Linux too. No operating system is the holy grail, and I prefer the software selection in Windows.
if OpenOffice was as bad as you suggest, that Cannonical would not have picked it as Productivity app of choice for Ubuntu.
There's stuff-all other productivity suites that even come close to what OpenOffice provides (and few are as well known as OO), which is why Cannonical supplies it in Ubuntu.
That doesn't mean it's any good, it's just the best out of a mediocre set. What else could they do?/opinion
Slashdot Mirror
The guy's name is Chez Pazienza, not Paziena.
:)
Perhaps Slashdot could employ a little professionalism themselves. Oh, who am I kidding!
I really hope the weapons officer who gets to push the missile-firing button says: "ASSIMILATE THIS!!!"
I know that. But the issue here is about why Linux doesn't spread far outside our little circle of geeks.
...for what it's worth, as to the reasons Linux isn't spreading as quickly as was hoped:
(1) Crap-all marketing. Windows has posters, flyers, tv spots, and general awareness by most computers users. Apple has poster, tv spots, attractive retail stores, and in most cases a general awareness by most computer users. What does Linux have? At best, word of mouth.
(2) Lack of commercial apps. Don't give me crap about being able to use GIMP for free - armature and profession photographers want professional-level tools like Photoshop. They WILL pirate the damn thing if necessary.
(3) Path of least resistance. Moving from one operating system to another is generally an exercise in trading one set of hassles for another. It's not often that it's a painless experience. Moving to a Mac though is much more realistic for someone fed-up with Windows than moving to Linux however, due to points (1) and (2).
Finally, the biggest reason of all - why change? Windows just isn't that bad if you know how to use a computer. Most people have more important things to do in life than worry about operating systems, or at least they do once they get to a certain age when priorities become clearer.
But from a glance at the last name I, for just a brief second, saw the article title as
"Steve, what happening? Look, I've got some problems with my Mac here, it's being a bit of a bother... yeah... so if could you come in on Saturday to fix it, maybe even Sunday... that would be terrific... mkay?"
Hrm. I took a different path to you - I got around the activation issue by using a pre-activated OEM version. PLUS it installed Service Pack 1 via Windows Update (using a hacked reg key) just fine. Now I have nice clean OS which runs all my commercial software that Linux can't. How about that. :)
I opened up Word 2007. Typed in a URL. Right clicked, selected "Open Hyperlink" and you know what?
It opened in Firefox. Once again, Slashdot hasn't verified the info they decide to publish. Perhaps it opens IE for some people - I'm using Vista, so maybe the URL handler has a subtle difference to XP. In any case, the article is still flawed.
Smelloscope.
(one or two years into the future, after Windows 7 has been out for a while...)
How many of us back in 2008 could have imagined the day when we would be fighting to save Windows Vista?
It is a strange world.
... to have the service pack go RTM today and yet delay the release until a month later.
Unless Microsoft aren't concerned about leaks and torrents.
We're the highest at 31.1%. Isn't that worth a mention?
http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23136815-5014239,00.html
What are you talking about? Everyone who's seen at least one blue screen or "illegal operation" (particularly if they've been around the peek of Windows 95/98) would have something to say about Microsoft.
Perhaps you're suggesting people have forgotten, which is fair enough.
Microsoft know they have a bad reputation. They'd have to totally reinvent themselves and their policies to reverse the trend, which is too much work.
I suppose their position is: "well, we're too far gone to repair our image, so we've got nothing to lose. MONEY MONEY MONEY!"
A Government department suggesting schools investigate the use of Linux? That's rather encouraging and should be seen as significant.
architecture reponse of slashdot is
begin
post = "F-you, I only speak VHDL";
end response;
I dunno. It's hard to get figures, but given how small the market share is for Linux on the desktop anyway, doubling it would not be out of the question, at least in the geek community where the majority of its desktop use would be.
What? How could you possibly have skipped out on getting the flying car?
I've got one right here. Sure I had to lose a foot and allow a mad German scientist and his friends have their way with me, but man... it's the FLYING CAR!!!
Microsoft will just try to buy-out this "Internet" thingy so it's no longer a threat.
Because we live in a Windows world, that's why. Interoperability with existing software is more realistic than some zealot's idea of switching operating systems just for a little extra security.
I will literally ROFL if a private company finds a way to get a person on Mars (alive) before NASA does.
Given the work being performed by non-Government corporations into space travel, this isn't an entirely unlikely idea.
I can't wait. Been looking for an excuse to get a Katana. :)
I'm using Vista, no big deal for me. But then again, I make up my own mind and only read stuff like this (and hence the majority of kdawson's postings) for a laugh.
Of course there are problems, plenty of bad design issues. But then again, there are in Linux too. No operating system is the holy grail, and I prefer the software selection in Windows.
There's stuff-all other productivity suites that even come close to what OpenOffice provides (and few are as well known as OO), which is why Cannonical supplies it in Ubuntu.
That doesn't mean it's any good, it's just the best out of a mediocre set. What else could they do?
then I shudder to think how old people using snail mail must be.
Oh please. You know how many times the "Bill Gates borg" icon has been brought up with regards to any Microsoft-related topic?
Slashdot aren't interested constructive criticism, even if it will help make them look more professiona.