I keep hearing about crop failures and the like. However no one ever talks about the vast areas of Canada, Alaska, Russia, and Northern Europe that will be able to support crops that these areas currently cannot support. I think we are looking at global warming from a purely one-sided view. The land in the far north that we gain from global warm far exceeds the land we lose due to rising coast lines. I think we need to look at the possible benefits as well as the possible problems that are being caused by Global warming.
It can also be seen as good thing as people will be forced to move to more stable regions inland and away from the costly expenses of trying to maintain a civilization on the coast. This may cause geopolitical lines to be re-drawn, and that is not always a bad thing either.
I am just asking the question have we even thought to look for the good while we empress the bad?
Just curios why do so many of you think Mac is the only option? I have been using Desktop Computers since the Apple IIe was released. I know that fact really dates me, but it also states that I have seen many Desktop Computing platforms come and go.
When Asked why haven't I made the switch, the best answer is to ask the question what do I need to do on my Desktop Computer. When selecting what OS to use the key is will it do what I need it to do? In most cases all of the Major OS's (Windows, GNU/Linux, BSD, Solaris, OS X, etc.) will do what one needs them to do.
So now what? OK, second thing to ask is how much time and money is involved in setting up the OS's. Again when comes to time we are at a stalemate they are all pretty simple to deploy and setup. So that leaves us with cost. Well this can be very tricky. You have to look at the upfront cost as well as future support costs and software cost and availability.
Let’s look at upfront cost first. Windows and OS X are clearly the higher priced of the available OS’s. If one is to use OS X and not violate the EULA then one must also purchase an Apple Mac Desktop Computer and this will cost anywhere from $500.00 to $3000.00 for the required hardware. For all other OS’s one is fortunately not tied to one manufactures hardware. So we know from various pc hardware sites we can build out a modest Desktop Computer for $200.00+. When we build this PC and add Windows to it we just raised the price $189.00 to $289.00. So now we are back in the same price range as an entry level Apple Product (Mac Mini). When it comes to Linux, BSD, and Solaris these upfront purchase costs do not exists. One can freely download and install many different varieties of these three OS’s. So in short upfront cost Linux, BSD, and Solaris win.
So now we need to look at support costs. With Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, and Solaris one can purchase annual support agreements that can range from $50.00 to ~ for each Desktop Computer. Some support can also be done on case by case purchase as well but that adds up quickly. And of course there is free community support out there on the web for all OS’s. And again we have a second stalemate on support.
The next issue is the most import of them all, Software cost’s, availability, and variety. We have some clear winners here. When comes to cost one can purchase software or download free software for all the major OS’s without issue. Furthermore one can always find an application that will get the job done on any of the OS’s. The real question is, how much are you willing to pay for it? So again in costs and availability it is really a wash between the OS’s. That leaves us with software variety. We all know that variety is viewed as the spice of life. Well in the software world that still holds true. We all want choices, the ability to look at several different yet similar products and then make a choice on which one to use is the key. Why I am not sure but it is always a factor. I guess we as a species are hardwired to look around for options. So in this area without a doubt Windows wins hands down, followed in a distant second by OS X, and then Linux, then BSD, and Solaris.
Ok, there we have it the answer to the question what will cause more people to switch from Windows to another OS. And for those not paying attention the Answer is SOFTWARE VARIETY. Until the issue of a lack of Variety in software choices on the other OS’s (Linux, BSD, OS X, and Solaris) is addressed they will never take over the Desktop Computer Market.
Just curios why do you think Mac is the only option? I have been using Desktop Computers since the Apple IIe was released. I know that fact really dates me, but it also states that I have seen many Desktop Computing platforms come and go.
When Asked why haven't I made the switch, the best answer is to ask the question what do I need to do on my Desktop Computer. When selecting what OS to use the key is will it do what I need it to do? In most cases all of the Major OS's (Windows, GNU/Linux, BSD, Solaris, OS X, etc.) will do what one needs them to do.
So now what? OK, second thing to ask is how much time and money is involved in setting up the OS's. Again when comes to time we are at a stalemate they are all pretty simple to deploy and setup. So that leaves us with cost. Well this can be very tricky. You have to look at the upfront cost as well as future support costs and software cost and availability.
Let’s look at upfront cost first. Windows and OS X are clearly the higher priced of the available OS’s. If one is to use OS X and not violate the EULA then one must also purchase an Apple Mac Desktop Computer and this will cost anywhere from $500.00 to $3000.00 for the required hardware. For all other OS’s one is fortunately not tied to one manufactures hardware. So we know from various pc hardware sites we can build out a modest Desktop Computer for $200.00+. When we build this PC and add Windows to it we just raised the price $189.00 to $289.00. So now we are back in the same price range as an entry level Apple Product (Mac Mini). When it comes to Linux, BSD, and Solaris these upfront purchase costs do not exists. One can freely download and install many different varieties of these three OS’s. So in short upfront cost Linux, BSD, and Solaris win.
So now we need to look at support costs. With Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, and Solaris one can purchase annual support agreements that can range from $50.00 to ~ for each Desktop Computer. Some support can also be done on case by case purchase as well but that adds up quickly. And of course there is free community support out there on the web for all OS’s. And again we have a second stalemate on support.
The next issue is the most import of them all, Software cost’s, availability, and variety. We have some clear winners here. When comes to cost one can purchase software or download free software for all the major OS’s without issue. Furthermore one can always find an application that will get the job done on any of the OS’s. The real question is, how much are you willing to pay for it? So again in costs and availability it is really a wash between the OS’s. That leaves us with software variety. We all know that variety is viewed as the spice of life. Well in the software world that still holds true. We all want choices, the ability to look at several different yet similar products and then make a choice on which one to use is the key. Why I am not sure but it is always a factor. I guess we as a species are hardwired to look around for options. So in this area without a doubt Windows wins hands down, followed in a distant second by OS X, and then Linux, then BSD, and Solaris.
Ok, there we have it the answer to the question what will cause more people to switch from Windows to another OS. And for those not paying attention the Answer is SOFTWARE VARIETY. Until the issue of a lack of Variety in software choices on the other OS’s (Linux, BSD, OS X, and Solaris) is addressed they will never take over the Desktop Computer Market.
Slashdot Mirror
I keep hearing about crop failures and the like. However no one ever talks about the vast areas of Canada, Alaska, Russia, and Northern Europe that will be able to support crops that these areas currently cannot support. I think we are looking at global warming from a purely one-sided view. The land in the far north that we gain from global warm far exceeds the land we lose due to rising coast lines. I think we need to look at the possible benefits as well as the possible problems that are being caused by Global warming. It can also be seen as good thing as people will be forced to move to more stable regions inland and away from the costly expenses of trying to maintain a civilization on the coast. This may cause geopolitical lines to be re-drawn, and that is not always a bad thing either. I am just asking the question have we even thought to look for the good while we empress the bad?
Just curios why do so many of you think Mac is the only option? I have been using Desktop Computers since the Apple IIe was released. I know that fact really dates me, but it also states that I have seen many Desktop Computing platforms come and go. When Asked why haven't I made the switch, the best answer is to ask the question what do I need to do on my Desktop Computer. When selecting what OS to use the key is will it do what I need it to do? In most cases all of the Major OS's (Windows, GNU/Linux, BSD, Solaris, OS X, etc.) will do what one needs them to do. So now what? OK, second thing to ask is how much time and money is involved in setting up the OS's. Again when comes to time we are at a stalemate they are all pretty simple to deploy and setup. So that leaves us with cost. Well this can be very tricky. You have to look at the upfront cost as well as future support costs and software cost and availability. Let’s look at upfront cost first. Windows and OS X are clearly the higher priced of the available OS’s. If one is to use OS X and not violate the EULA then one must also purchase an Apple Mac Desktop Computer and this will cost anywhere from $500.00 to $3000.00 for the required hardware. For all other OS’s one is fortunately not tied to one manufactures hardware. So we know from various pc hardware sites we can build out a modest Desktop Computer for $200.00+. When we build this PC and add Windows to it we just raised the price $189.00 to $289.00. So now we are back in the same price range as an entry level Apple Product (Mac Mini). When it comes to Linux, BSD, and Solaris these upfront purchase costs do not exists. One can freely download and install many different varieties of these three OS’s. So in short upfront cost Linux, BSD, and Solaris win. So now we need to look at support costs. With Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, and Solaris one can purchase annual support agreements that can range from $50.00 to ~ for each Desktop Computer. Some support can also be done on case by case purchase as well but that adds up quickly. And of course there is free community support out there on the web for all OS’s. And again we have a second stalemate on support. The next issue is the most import of them all, Software cost’s, availability, and variety. We have some clear winners here. When comes to cost one can purchase software or download free software for all the major OS’s without issue. Furthermore one can always find an application that will get the job done on any of the OS’s. The real question is, how much are you willing to pay for it? So again in costs and availability it is really a wash between the OS’s. That leaves us with software variety. We all know that variety is viewed as the spice of life. Well in the software world that still holds true. We all want choices, the ability to look at several different yet similar products and then make a choice on which one to use is the key. Why I am not sure but it is always a factor. I guess we as a species are hardwired to look around for options. So in this area without a doubt Windows wins hands down, followed in a distant second by OS X, and then Linux, then BSD, and Solaris. Ok, there we have it the answer to the question what will cause more people to switch from Windows to another OS. And for those not paying attention the Answer is SOFTWARE VARIETY. Until the issue of a lack of Variety in software choices on the other OS’s (Linux, BSD, OS X, and Solaris) is addressed they will never take over the Desktop Computer Market.
Just curios why do you think Mac is the only option? I have been using Desktop Computers since the Apple IIe was released. I know that fact really dates me, but it also states that I have seen many Desktop Computing platforms come and go. When Asked why haven't I made the switch, the best answer is to ask the question what do I need to do on my Desktop Computer. When selecting what OS to use the key is will it do what I need it to do? In most cases all of the Major OS's (Windows, GNU/Linux, BSD, Solaris, OS X, etc.) will do what one needs them to do. So now what? OK, second thing to ask is how much time and money is involved in setting up the OS's. Again when comes to time we are at a stalemate they are all pretty simple to deploy and setup. So that leaves us with cost. Well this can be very tricky. You have to look at the upfront cost as well as future support costs and software cost and availability. Let’s look at upfront cost first. Windows and OS X are clearly the higher priced of the available OS’s. If one is to use OS X and not violate the EULA then one must also purchase an Apple Mac Desktop Computer and this will cost anywhere from $500.00 to $3000.00 for the required hardware. For all other OS’s one is fortunately not tied to one manufactures hardware. So we know from various pc hardware sites we can build out a modest Desktop Computer for $200.00+. When we build this PC and add Windows to it we just raised the price $189.00 to $289.00. So now we are back in the same price range as an entry level Apple Product (Mac Mini). When it comes to Linux, BSD, and Solaris these upfront purchase costs do not exists. One can freely download and install many different varieties of these three OS’s. So in short upfront cost Linux, BSD, and Solaris win. So now we need to look at support costs. With Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, and Solaris one can purchase annual support agreements that can range from $50.00 to ~ for each Desktop Computer. Some support can also be done on case by case purchase as well but that adds up quickly. And of course there is free community support out there on the web for all OS’s. And again we have a second stalemate on support. The next issue is the most import of them all, Software cost’s, availability, and variety. We have some clear winners here. When comes to cost one can purchase software or download free software for all the major OS’s without issue. Furthermore one can always find an application that will get the job done on any of the OS’s. The real question is, how much are you willing to pay for it? So again in costs and availability it is really a wash between the OS’s. That leaves us with software variety. We all know that variety is viewed as the spice of life. Well in the software world that still holds true. We all want choices, the ability to look at several different yet similar products and then make a choice on which one to use is the key. Why I am not sure but it is always a factor. I guess we as a species are hardwired to look around for options. So in this area without a doubt Windows wins hands down, followed in a distant second by OS X, and then Linux, then BSD, and Solaris. Ok, there we have it the answer to the question what will cause more people to switch from Windows to another OS. And for those not paying attention the Answer is SOFTWARE VARIETY. Until the issue of a lack of Variety in software choices on the other OS’s (Linux, BSD, OS X, and Solaris) is addressed they will never take over the Desktop Computer Market.