Would you beleive that I was in the middle of writing a school paper when I decided to Google the key words "Microsoft lawsuit" and Poof!! Slashdot was Google's first choice!
I agree to a large extent with the parent, that Linux *is* too complicated for most.
I have tried 10-12 various Linux distros in the past year and found them all lacking in one area or another. I currently run a duel boot (XP/Mepis). Let me first say that I am vehemently trying to make the switch to Linux because I believe it is infinity superior in the security arena, not to mention the free (as in beer) aspect. Linux is now far easier to use than UNIX or even than Linux was 5 years ago, no doubt about that. However, it still has a lot of hardware compatibility issues which requires me (a n00b) to troubleshoot the problem. There are a huge number of help sites related to Linux which is a major asset but most of the "uber-geeks" offering assistance expect me to know how to write code or recompile from source to fix the problem. Unfortunately, even with step-by-step instructions (which most are patient and eager to provide), fixing one thing tends to break another. There is no doubt in my mind that most of my problems stem from a lack a technical knowledge on my part. However, at the same time, I have absolutely *no* mechanical skills and yet never have any problems with my car.
I have never tried OSX so I don't know whether or not it is easier, harder or even different than Linux. With all that aside, the article was still comical to me.
I don't understand your logic, please elaborate and forgive my ignorance.
I have never typed in a search (Google or Yahoo) and decided that because it returned more than 1000 pages, I won't bother looking at any of them. Google "Slashdot" for instance, Results are about 22,400,000 for Slashdot. The important part is that the first page displays the results I want. It becomes redundant to me if Yahoo returns "more" options.
Actually, their decision to throw out any queries resulting in more than 1000 pages returned seems very logical to me. How many times have you typed in a search, perused through the 1000 pages and felt like you just needed more options? Yahoo may very well have more than double the total indexed pages Google has but what good is it to have 10,000 pages returned for 1 query; it becomes redundant at some point. I think the research did a good job of showing that Google produces more options (indexed pages) per search than Yahoo does, regardless of who actually has more "total pages" indexed.
What about for those of us, who unfortunately pay Microsoft for an account, will we see any of this money? The spam landed in OUR inbox, threatened US with spyware, & adware, even jeopardizing the safety of OUR identities, but will WE see $1 of that settlement? Doubtful!
The relevance is simple. Although the number of downloads is in no way an indicator of how many Mozilla users there are, an increase in downloads does mean an increase in its use. This is also likely relevant in showing market share increases for Mozilla which means a decrease for the current champ, IE. Along with IE's decrease in market share comes healthy competition between the two as IE stumbles to gain back their lost ground, which in turn means better browsers for users of all sorts.
Personally I don't see the harm in what they call piracy and become very upset thinking about all my tax dollars spent on securing/recovering a rich corporation's bank account. However, if we were to agree for just a minute that a special "war on piracy" task force were required, it would be silly to not go after the source. The D.E.A. doesn't only go after the dealers after all, leaving the growers alone.
I couldn't agree more, and feel that perhaps "it's for the children" may be the government's slogan. If they can brainwash our children then they can dictate our (lack of) liberties forever. A vast majority of our children don't know what the constitution entitles them to and it's not their fault, it's ours. We (American schools) aren't telling them, most can't even tell you the first five amendments. We have become a nation of scared, herded sheeple who are more likely to revolt if Monday night Football was canceled than if a (Bush) family empire were to purchase the elections, twice! Is it a coincidence that Sen. Kerry (a fellow Bonesman) took a dive? Did we really have two candidates or was it merely another illusion?
The parent makes an outstanding point and I think most of us see it coming (the corporate regulating of our choices, whether it be MS, Apple, Google or whoever) but we (general MS users, myself included) choose to ignore it. The problem with ignoring it is that it doesn't just go away, it requires action on our part (making the switch. Although most of/. appears to be left-wing geeks (meant as a compliment) I'm sure no one prefers to have their rights taken away regardless of political views! That's what we are choosing though when we blindly click accept on an EULA. For those of us that RTFA, you may agree that the article wasn't meant to be a punch in the face to Windows or Linux nor do I think he was trying to say one is better than the other. They both have obvious pros and cons. Linux seems to dominate when it comes to security and Windows appears to dominate in compatibility (at no fault of Linux). The article simply pointed out how Linux could improve its market share. Isn't that Linux's goal? So this doesn't mean it has to be "dumbed-down" but perhaps putting restrictions on some of the options (restrictions which could easy be remove with the proper key strokes by a "power-user") would make Linux a more attractive option. Migration is also a viable concern as no one wants to lose all their pictures of little Timmy. As soon as Linux becomes an attractive option it will increase its market share exponentially as it has one think MS can't offer, it's free! Once its market share increases, developers will be forced to work with Linux (drivers etc.) if they want to stay in business. Hopefully this doesn't sound like a rant as it is my first post.
Slashdot Mirror
Would you beleive that I was in the middle of writing a school paper when I decided to Google the key words "Microsoft lawsuit" and Poof!! Slashdot was Google's first choice!
I agree to a large extent with the parent, that Linux *is* too complicated for most. I have tried 10-12 various Linux distros in the past year and found them all lacking in one area or another. I currently run a duel boot (XP/Mepis). Let me first say that I am vehemently trying to make the switch to Linux because I believe it is infinity superior in the security arena, not to mention the free (as in beer) aspect. Linux is now far easier to use than UNIX or even than Linux was 5 years ago, no doubt about that. However, it still has a lot of hardware compatibility issues which requires me (a n00b) to troubleshoot the problem. There are a huge number of help sites related to Linux which is a major asset but most of the "uber-geeks" offering assistance expect me to know how to write code or recompile from source to fix the problem. Unfortunately, even with step-by-step instructions (which most are patient and eager to provide), fixing one thing tends to break another. There is no doubt in my mind that most of my problems stem from a lack a technical knowledge on my part. However, at the same time, I have absolutely *no* mechanical skills and yet never have any problems with my car. I have never tried OSX so I don't know whether or not it is easier, harder or even different than Linux. With all that aside, the article was still comical to me.
Sounds great but where am I supposed to find the 1.21 gigowatts of power it requires?! **holding a kite in a lightning storm**
I don't understand your logic, please elaborate and forgive my ignorance. I have never typed in a search (Google or Yahoo) and decided that because it returned more than 1000 pages, I won't bother looking at any of them. Google "Slashdot" for instance, Results are about 22,400,000 for Slashdot. The important part is that the first page displays the results I want. It becomes redundant to me if Yahoo returns "more" options.
Actually, their decision to throw out any queries resulting in more than 1000 pages returned seems very logical to me. How many times have you typed in a search, perused through the 1000 pages and felt like you just needed more options? Yahoo may very well have more than double the total indexed pages Google has but what good is it to have 10,000 pages returned for 1 query; it becomes redundant at some point. I think the research did a good job of showing that Google produces more options (indexed pages) per search than Yahoo does, regardless of who actually has more "total pages" indexed.
Maybe it's just me, but wasn't that product released in 2003? Why is there an article posting to /. about really old technology?
What about for those of us, who unfortunately pay Microsoft for an account, will we see any of this money? The spam landed in OUR inbox, threatened US with spyware, & adware, even jeopardizing the safety of OUR identities, but will WE see $1 of that settlement? Doubtful!
The relevance is simple. Although the number of downloads is in no way an indicator of how many Mozilla users there are, an increase in downloads does mean an increase in its use. This is also likely relevant in showing market share increases for Mozilla which means a decrease for the current champ, IE. Along with IE's decrease in market share comes healthy competition between the two as IE stumbles to gain back their lost ground, which in turn means better browsers for users of all sorts.
Personally I don't see the harm in what they call piracy and become very upset thinking about all my tax dollars spent on securing/recovering a rich corporation's bank account. However, if we were to agree for just a minute that a special "war on piracy" task force were required, it would be silly to not go after the source. The D.E.A. doesn't only go after the dealers after all, leaving the growers alone.
I couldn't agree more, and feel that perhaps "it's for the children" may be the government's slogan. If they can brainwash our children then they can dictate our (lack of) liberties forever. A vast majority of our children don't know what the constitution entitles them to and it's not their fault, it's ours. We (American schools) aren't telling them, most can't even tell you the first five amendments. We have become a nation of scared, herded sheeple who are more likely to revolt if Monday night Football was canceled than if a (Bush) family empire were to purchase the elections, twice! Is it a coincidence that Sen. Kerry (a fellow Bonesman) took a dive? Did we really have two candidates or was it merely another illusion?
One keyboard to rule them all!
The parent makes an outstanding point and I think most of us see it coming (the corporate regulating of our choices, whether it be MS, Apple, Google or whoever) but we (general MS users, myself included) choose to ignore it. The problem with ignoring it is that it doesn't just go away, it requires action on our part (making the switch. Although most of /. appears to be left-wing geeks (meant as a compliment) I'm sure no one prefers to have their rights taken away regardless of political views! That's what we are choosing though when we blindly click accept on an EULA. For those of us that RTFA, you may agree that the article wasn't meant to be a punch in the face to Windows or Linux nor do I think he was trying to say one is better than the other. They both have obvious pros and cons. Linux seems to dominate when it comes to security and Windows appears to dominate in compatibility (at no fault of Linux). The article simply pointed out how Linux could improve its market share. Isn't that Linux's goal? So this doesn't mean it has to be "dumbed-down" but perhaps putting restrictions on some of the options (restrictions which could easy be remove with the proper key strokes by a "power-user") would make Linux a more attractive option. Migration is also a viable concern as no one wants to lose all their pictures of little Timmy. As soon as Linux becomes an attractive option it will increase its market share exponentially as it has one think MS can't offer, it's free! Once its market share increases, developers will be forced to work with Linux (drivers etc.) if they want to stay in business. Hopefully this doesn't sound like a rant as it is my first post.