MS Office to OpenOffice.org OOo's interface is a bit slow but the overall application just gives a better feel. I have no reason of using MS Office over OpenOffice.org
Photoshop over Gimp That really only depends on what you need to do with it.
Games No one really expects open source to develop games. Top level games are developed by huge teams (50+) working full time and the investment comes from companies that expect money from the sale of those games. On the other end, several game graphic engines are released under open source licences (can't really give precisions, I just hate gaming anyway)
Open Source is created by those that need it. Most large projects are sponsored by companies. I don't expect IBM to sponsor a game project do that their employes can play during lunch time.
I wasn't aware of that (I have to admin I'm a software developper), but from what I heard, it does do things hubble didn't do (I can't really explain what)
Actually, an other space telescope will be brought in space a few years after hubble 'dies', and it will be a lot better. The shuttle incident really caused problems in space explorations. The shuttles are all still locked on the ground (in pieces) and when they will fly again, the ISS will be their only destination. This is the reason why hubble won't be repaired, there is simply no shuttle going that way and they just don't consider the repair is worth a $500 million launch.
But it's not too bad since there will only be a 4 year gab (or so) between both satelites.
Depends on what the scope is, and you don't need to load everything in the first place anyway.
I'll just use an example from Frank Boumphrey (Source: http://conf.phpquebec.org/main.php/en/cdrom2004/se ssion#3), this system was used for an hospital, only the local/frequent zip codes were sent to the client in the first place. Once again, this was for an internal application, but it can really apply anywhere.
If sending the entire list is not an option, it's still possible to get the page to go fetch the information directly using Mozilla's XMLHttpRequest class or IE's HTTPREQUEST ActiveX component. (Well explained here: http://www.phppatterns.com/index.php/article/artic leview/82/1/2/).
Those features are quite obscur but have been around for quite a while now (years). Most browsers actually support it. And for the other ones, they can still type the entire thing.
Freedom is the only real difference that matters to me. I think the article is totally off the track when it attempts to compare windows and linux on an architecture point of view. Linux is about freedom, community and ideology. Most linux users are ready to accept the fact that there are quite a few things that won't always work. It's actually very rare that the factor that affected their decision was the price when time came to select their operating system.
From all the linux user groups I visited, the ideology behind Linux is really the only thing that was common. How can sharing be seen as bad? It's pretty much like being for a green environment: no one is ever going to oppose to it (unless their economy relies on it, of course. I don't expect Ford to speak about reducing the amount of cars on the road anytime soon, and I don't expect Microsoft to encourage to share).
Of course, Linux looks a lot like Windows on some aspects, but what's the problem? At least there are many alternatives available. If you don't like a component, there are a few more you can choose from. If you don't like the Linux kernel because it's monolithic, Hurd is available (it's not linux anymore, but it's still GNU!).
I have to agree that in common websites, frames are quite useless and ugly. All they really do is make nagivation a hell, but there are situations where frames are useful. I work on internally-used applications which sometimes have a web interface, and the users actually asked to have frames available in some cases. Frames can fill the gap between the usability of a standalone application and flexibility of the web.
It might seem useless, but the simple fact that frames can be resized does suit most needs. Users can decide which section of the content is most useful to them. A common usage is when the users actually need to compare documents. Having both side by side can be nice.
Just imagine Java's documentation without the frameset, it would really be a pain to search in. The class list is very long to load, and I'm quite happy they didn't simply include it in all pages.
Frames are not evil, neither is JavaScript, it just depends on how it's used. Using frames for a menu is not a good thing, and using frames for a banner is simply worst. Those kind of usage really gave frames a bad reputation because they simply reduce the amount of usable space on the monitor. JavaScript used for pop-ups or ugly 'eye-candy' stuff really also is an error, but JavaScript can enable some real dynamism in a form and actually allow to save a lot of time in the processing. Isn't filling country, state and city automatically nice when a user enters a zip code?
There used to be problems with JavaScript and browser compatibility, but it's not that bad anymore. Of course, IE simply won't support everything, but there are always workarounds.
Really, those things are only evil if you're a designer. When you need to build an application that people will actually use and need to be productive, you need to look over those things to see if they could make the entire application better. Just don't abuse.
I just wonder how they can strip it down anyway, it doesn't come bundled with anything in the first place. Of course, if they could strip the amount of security holes, it would be an improvement.
I think that challenge is a good motivation factor for most as well. Fear might force to do quality work, but the challenge is probably what triggers developpers in the first place.
I just don't know how many projects I refused to work on simply because they seemed boring. If I don't end up learning anything when coding, it's a waste of time.
On the other hand, I just like the fact that my contributions are appreciated.
Actually, I couldn't really afford spending a whole lot of time search for solutions. Actually, I did spend some time but the results were not very good (I couldn't find anything).
Thanks for the pointers about the mouse. I'll try to look for those xfce packages with more attention next time (they should be placed on same level as Gnome and KDE... anyway). As for linuxant, those are the drivers I couldn't get to work, but I'll try again.
Only this time, I won't do it on my main linux partition.
I have been using FC1 on my laptop ever since it's release, and I do think it's a great distribution. I'm also a Gentoo/Debian user, and FC1 really reached my expectations. When I saw the official release of FC2, I downloaded it right away and installed it. As a result, I rolled back to FC1. FC2 sure does have a lot of improvements and uses the most recent development (X.org, KDE 3.2, Gnome 2.6, 2.6 kernel,...), but I think they aimed a little too high. Those changes should have been made gradually and tested massively.
From the things I could not get to work (that used to work): touch pad (really, can't tap to click), XFCE4 (incompatible with xorg?), wlan card (linuxant drivers).
I sure am disapointed by this release, but I will try FC3 when it releases anyway, because it does have potential. It's probably only a matter of time before the incompatibility issues are solved.
Google knows nothing, except where words are placed.
But really, that test does not consider the fact that it takes a while to go to the library and that you actually need to get out of your house. Plus, library isn't available at night, neither is most people you can try to call.
Server-side (Spam Assassin) filtering and mozilla-mail ends up cleaning most of my spam. I used to care about which email adress I entered at different places to avoid spam. Right now, with over 100 spams a day, I just don't care. I just make sure it gets well filtered and it solves all problems.
Of course, it's not always easy, but the current tools do the job for 90% of the situations. I just wish there were better comments than 'the interface stinks, gimp stinks'. There are acceptable ways of proposing improvements, and at some point, you need to get involved. Even if you're not a programmer, you can report bugs, propose original solutions or help development in some other way. F/OSS leaves some reponsability to the user base. You can't just take from the community and give nothing back. What is it to take a few hours of your time to propose an improvement (in a constructive way)?
I don't like MS, but I hate people that steal software even more.
I'm somewhat bored of hearing about users complaining about an application's interface not being like a competitor's. Really, can't you guys accept that there are differences and that from the moment you accept them, you will actually be able to enjoy the application?
Also, if you don't like the interface, why don't you contribute and improve it? If the antialiasing isn't perfect, why don't you try to fix it? Free software is not all about free beer, and I think that's a serious problem it's facing toward users (especially artistic ones). At some point, you need to understand that there is no money-hungry company behind the application and it's most likely written by programmers for their own needs. If you have specific needs, just make them clear and stop complaining. You might need to work a bit to get it, but it's a very small price to pay.
Really, if you don't like an open source application and you are not ready to contribute some efforts to improve it, just buy your software, I don't want to hear anything you have to say.
Slashdot Mirror
MS Office to OpenOffice.org
OOo's interface is a bit slow but the overall application just gives a better feel. I have no reason of using MS Office over OpenOffice.org
Photoshop over Gimp
That really only depends on what you need to do with it.
Games
No one really expects open source to develop games. Top level games are developed by huge teams (50+) working full time and the investment comes from companies that expect money from the sale of those games. On the other end, several game graphic engines are released under open source licences (can't really give precisions, I just hate gaming anyway)
Open Source is created by those that need it. Most large projects are sponsored by companies. I don't expect IBM to sponsor a game project do that their employes can play during lunch time.
I wasn't aware of that (I have to admin I'm a software developper), but from what I heard, it does do things hubble didn't do (I can't really explain what)
Actually, an other space telescope will be brought in space a few years after hubble 'dies', and it will be a lot better. The shuttle incident really caused problems in space explorations. The shuttles are all still locked on the ground (in pieces) and when they will fly again, the ISS will be their only destination. This is the reason why hubble won't be repaired, there is simply no shuttle going that way and they just don't consider the repair is worth a $500 million launch.
But it's not too bad since there will only be a 4 year gab (or so) between both satelites.
Depends on what the scope is, and you don't need to load everything in the first place anyway.
e ssion#3), this system was used for an hospital, only the local/frequent zip codes were sent to the client in the first place. Once again, this was for an internal application, but it can really apply anywhere.
c leview/82/1/2/).
I'll just use an example from Frank Boumphrey (Source: http://conf.phpquebec.org/main.php/en/cdrom2004/s
If sending the entire list is not an option, it's still possible to get the page to go fetch the information directly using Mozilla's XMLHttpRequest class or IE's HTTPREQUEST ActiveX component. (Well explained here: http://www.phppatterns.com/index.php/article/arti
Those features are quite obscur but have been around for quite a while now (years). Most browsers actually support it. And for the other ones, they can still type the entire thing.
I hope these details answered your questions.
Freedom is the only real difference that matters to me. I think the article is totally off the track when it attempts to compare windows and linux on an architecture point of view. Linux is about freedom, community and ideology. Most linux users are ready to accept the fact that there are quite a few things that won't always work. It's actually very rare that the factor that affected their decision was the price when time came to select their operating system. From all the linux user groups I visited, the ideology behind Linux is really the only thing that was common. How can sharing be seen as bad? It's pretty much like being for a green environment: no one is ever going to oppose to it (unless their economy relies on it, of course. I don't expect Ford to speak about reducing the amount of cars on the road anytime soon, and I don't expect Microsoft to encourage to share). Of course, Linux looks a lot like Windows on some aspects, but what's the problem? At least there are many alternatives available. If you don't like a component, there are a few more you can choose from. If you don't like the Linux kernel because it's monolithic, Hurd is available (it's not linux anymore, but it's still GNU!).
I have to agree that in common websites, frames are quite useless and ugly. All they really do is make nagivation a hell, but there are situations where frames are useful. I work on internally-used applications which sometimes have a web interface, and the users actually asked to have frames available in some cases. Frames can fill the gap between the usability of a standalone application and flexibility of the web.
It might seem useless, but the simple fact that frames can be resized does suit most needs. Users can decide which section of the content is most useful to them. A common usage is when the users actually need to compare documents. Having both side by side can be nice.
Just imagine Java's documentation without the frameset, it would really be a pain to search in. The class list is very long to load, and I'm quite happy they didn't simply include it in all pages.
Frames are not evil, neither is JavaScript, it just depends on how it's used. Using frames for a menu is not a good thing, and using frames for a banner is simply worst. Those kind of usage really gave frames a bad reputation because they simply reduce the amount of usable space on the monitor. JavaScript used for pop-ups or ugly 'eye-candy' stuff really also is an error, but JavaScript can enable some real dynamism in a form and actually allow to save a lot of time in the processing. Isn't filling country, state and city automatically nice when a user enters a zip code?
There used to be problems with JavaScript and browser compatibility, but it's not that bad anymore. Of course, IE simply won't support everything, but there are always workarounds.
Really, those things are only evil if you're a designer. When you need to build an application that people will actually use and need to be productive, you need to look over those things to see if they could make the entire application better. Just don't abuse.
I just wonder how they can strip it down anyway, it doesn't come bundled with anything in the first place. Of course, if they could strip the amount of security holes, it would be an improvement.
I think that challenge is a good motivation factor for most as well. Fear might force to do quality work, but the challenge is probably what triggers developpers in the first place.
I just don't know how many projects I refused to work on simply because they seemed boring. If I don't end up learning anything when coding, it's a waste of time.
On the other hand, I just like the fact that my contributions are appreciated.
Actually, I couldn't really afford spending a whole lot of time search for solutions. Actually, I did spend some time but the results were not very good (I couldn't find anything). Thanks for the pointers about the mouse. I'll try to look for those xfce packages with more attention next time (they should be placed on same level as Gnome and KDE... anyway). As for linuxant, those are the drivers I couldn't get to work, but I'll try again. Only this time, I won't do it on my main linux partition.
I have been using FC1 on my laptop ever since it's release, and I do think it's a great distribution. I'm also a Gentoo/Debian user, and FC1 really reached my expectations. When I saw the official release of FC2, I downloaded it right away and installed it. As a result, I rolled back to FC1. FC2 sure does have a lot of improvements and uses the most recent development (X.org, KDE 3.2, Gnome 2.6, 2.6 kernel, ...), but I think they aimed a little too high. Those changes should have been made gradually and tested massively.
From the things I could not get to work (that used to work): touch pad (really, can't tap to click), XFCE4 (incompatible with xorg?), wlan card (linuxant drivers).
I sure am disapointed by this release, but I will try FC3 when it releases anyway, because it does have potential. It's probably only a matter of time before the incompatibility issues are solved.
Google knows nothing, except where words are placed.
But really, that test does not consider the fact that it takes a while to go to the library and that you actually need to get out of your house. Plus, library isn't available at night, neither is most people you can try to call.
Google sure wins any convenience test.
Server-side (Spam Assassin) filtering and mozilla-mail ends up cleaning most of my spam. I used to care about which email adress I entered at different places to avoid spam. Right now, with over 100 spams a day, I just don't care. I just make sure it gets well filtered and it solves all problems.
Of course, it's not always easy, but the current tools do the job for 90% of the situations. I just wish there were better comments than 'the interface stinks, gimp stinks'. There are acceptable ways of proposing improvements, and at some point, you need to get involved. Even if you're not a programmer, you can report bugs, propose original solutions or help development in some other way. F/OSS leaves some reponsability to the user base. You can't just take from the community and give nothing back. What is it to take a few hours of your time to propose an improvement (in a constructive way)?
I don't like MS, but I hate people that steal software even more.
I'm somewhat bored of hearing about users complaining about an application's interface not being like a competitor's. Really, can't you guys accept that there are differences and that from the moment you accept them, you will actually be able to enjoy the application? Also, if you don't like the interface, why don't you contribute and improve it? If the antialiasing isn't perfect, why don't you try to fix it? Free software is not all about free beer, and I think that's a serious problem it's facing toward users (especially artistic ones). At some point, you need to understand that there is no money-hungry company behind the application and it's most likely written by programmers for their own needs. If you have specific needs, just make them clear and stop complaining. You might need to work a bit to get it, but it's a very small price to pay. Really, if you don't like an open source application and you are not ready to contribute some efforts to improve it, just buy your software, I don't want to hear anything you have to say.