Like it or not, there was alot of marketing hype surrounding the Internet and how it would be the great equalizer, bring information to the masses, help 3rd world countries out of poverty and a host of other pie-in-the-sky promises.
Some of these promises were made by people looking only to exploit the medium for the money. Some of these promises were made by well intentioned people *hoping* these things would come true.
Point is, the people on the Internet are the priveldeged few (compared to the world population) and so it will change some people's lives, but not everyones.
Technology, as it is applied today, may or may not, solve societies ills. Alot depends on matching people's needs with the proper application of technology. Gates had a very interesting speach here that hightlights this very issue.
So yeah, Katz is right on. Mebbe overly dramatic, but on.
On the other hand, progress is rarely linear, and with thoughtful application, the Internet can be all the things that are hoped for. Just not today.
Ok, sport, I use my Linux machines for work and not for CD Ripping, etc. And life was much simpler before everyone started using rpm. tar is just so much better. So let's not throw personal barbs, OK? Soecially when you don't know squat about me.
Second, the problems I describe are a huge issue for business large and small regardless of the OS and it is not easily solved. All distribution packages are a nightmare to use and unless your deploying on a very large network are often times far more work than not. Every try to deploy and update to an application only to have it fail on 1/2 the machines for various and sundry reasons. Many update packages are fine, in theory, but in reality are not too helpful.
My point remains: Linux distros are just as bloated and top heavy as other OS's and just becuase it says linux doesn't make it easier.
ps: Can't install the frigging source RPM because I need rpm 4.0, which I can't install...
I have been using Linux in various incarnations for over 6 years now and I have about had it with all of them.
While the whole Windows-will-overwrite-DLL's-nightmare is well understood, the upgade path for *most* users is pretty pain free.
Not so with Linux. Here is an example using RedHat 6.1 distro.
Today, I try to install a package that requires an specific lib package. Ok, I try to install it but can't because I have rpm 3.x and I need rpm 4.0. Can't install rpm 4.x because rpm 3.x can't decompress it. Need to update to 4.0 with out updating to 4.0.
Ok, go look for that (spend about an hour at redhat.com (shame on you)) and find an errata. Ok, follow the directions and I get updated to 3.0.5. On my way. Try to install rpm 4.0. Can't because rpm 4.0 needs an updated glibc. Ok, go get that. Try to install it and--can't because glibc will break what? You probably didn't guess it. It breaks dependencies on rpm 3.0.5?
Now tell me. Is Susie secretary, or a supposedly knowledgeable tech support person, gonna have to time/ability to fix this one?
Point is, Linux distros are just as bloated and broken as Microsoft, Mac, OS/2, [insert the OS you love to hate here].
One of the reasons Windows windows apps do so well is because, for good or bad, the problems with the windows enviornment are pretty well understood and are farily standardized. The high-end Unix world is no different with Solaris leading the pack.
(Please, let's not pick nits. I know that is a sweeping statement, take it in the spirit intended--a generalization)
Get a grip. It's a game for god's sake. And it's a damn good game too. The very simple structure of the game lends to boredom unless you get social. It wasn't that good of a shooter, and unless you exploited bugs, you weren't going to get far unless you teamed with others. Ya know (shudder) actually try to work as a unit, develop and execute plans, etc.
I hate this henny-penny shit.
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Some of these promises were made by people looking only to exploit the medium for the money. Some of these promises were made by well intentioned people *hoping* these things would come true.
Point is, the people on the Internet are the priveldeged few (compared to the world population) and so it will change some people's lives, but not everyones.
Technology, as it is applied today, may or may not, solve societies ills. Alot depends on matching people's needs with the proper application of technology. Gates had a very interesting speach here that hightlights this very issue.
So yeah, Katz is right on. Mebbe overly dramatic, but on.
On the other hand, progress is rarely linear, and with thoughtful application, the Internet can be all the things that are hoped for. Just not today.
Second, the problems I describe are a huge issue for business large and small regardless of the OS and it is not easily solved. All distribution packages are a nightmare to use and unless your deploying on a very large network are often times far more work than not. Every try to deploy and update to an application only to have it fail on 1/2 the machines for various and sundry reasons. Many update packages are fine, in theory, but in reality are not too helpful.
My point remains: Linux distros are just as bloated and top heavy as other OS's and just becuase it says linux doesn't make it easier.
ps: Can't install the frigging source RPM because I need rpm 4.0, which I can't install ...
While the whole Windows-will-overwrite-DLL's-nightmare is well understood, the upgade path for *most* users is pretty pain free.
Not so with Linux. Here is an example using RedHat 6.1 distro.
Today, I try to install a package that requires an specific lib package. Ok, I try to install it but can't because I have rpm 3.x and I need rpm 4.0. Can't install rpm 4.x because rpm 3.x can't decompress it. Need to update to 4.0 with out updating to 4.0.
Ok, go look for that (spend about an hour at redhat.com (shame on you)) and find an errata. Ok, follow the directions and I get updated to 3.0.5. On my way. Try to install rpm 4.0. Can't because rpm 4.0 needs an updated glibc. Ok, go get that. Try to install it and--can't because glibc will break what? You probably didn't guess it. It breaks dependencies on rpm 3.0.5?
Now tell me. Is Susie secretary, or a supposedly knowledgeable tech support person, gonna have to time/ability to fix this one?
Point is, Linux distros are just as bloated and broken as Microsoft, Mac, OS/2, [insert the OS you love to hate here].
One of the reasons Windows windows apps do so well is because, for good or bad, the problems with the windows enviornment are pretty well understood and are farily standardized. The high-end Unix world is no different with Solaris leading the pack.
(Please, let's not pick nits. I know that is a sweeping statement, take it in the spirit intended--a generalization)
Get a grip. It's a game for god's sake. And it's a damn good game too. The very simple structure of the game lends to boredom unless you get social. It wasn't that good of a shooter, and unless you exploited bugs, you weren't going to get far unless you teamed with others. Ya know (shudder) actually try to work as a unit, develop and execute plans, etc. I hate this henny-penny shit.