Re: [SLUG] Want Linux on your desktop? Nine reasons to forget about it

From: Jason Copenhaver (jcopenha@csee.usf.edu)
Date: Tue Jun 12 2001 - 10:05:57 EDT


On Tue, 12 Jun 2001, Mark wrote:

> On Tue, 12 Jun 2001, Jason Copenhaver wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 12 Jun 2001, Mike Manchester wrote:
> >
> > > Please check out this artical and give your feedback.
> > >
> > > http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2773365,00.html
> > >
> > > Mike M.
> >
> >
> > Hmm.. first argument is that it wont work because everyone else too stupid
> > to use linux and that only people that get paid will make linux easier to
> > use.. He has obvisouly not tried GNOME or KDE...
>
> Bah, these interfaces are still in their infancy and are nowhere near
> where they need to be at if they are to be accepted by Joe User.
>
> And I do run KDE and GNOME.

True they still need work but his argument that money is the only way they
are gonna make it is unfounded.. They have made great progress with very
little funding..

>
> >
> > second argument: you need java to be a good desktop.. doesn't really make
> > any sense.. seeings how the majority of apps are still written in c/c++..
> > and.. guess what.. Java does work on linux..
> >
>
> You missed his point. If I have a Java app I can run it wherever I want
> to - not just the OS it was compiled for. If more people had used Java
> then there would be that many more applications I could run on Linux right
> out of the box. And there are problems with Java on Linux.
>
>
>
> > third argument: can't really make heads or tails of it..
> >
>
> Think about it - hopefully you will.
>

He's saying that linux is a large enough threat that MS is noticing and is
gonna play a little defense here..not sure how this keeps linux from
making it.. other than.. MS is too powerful and will just try and crush
linux.. that seems pretty pessimistic too me

>
> > fourth argument: linux is a threat to other unix falvors more than it is a
> > threat to ms.. don't see how this keeps it from being a desktop?
> >
>
> How many other unix flavors are already on the desktop. Starts with a
> 'Z'.
>

true.. there are no other unix flavors on the desktop.. unless you count
Mac OS X now.. but that still doesn't mean that linux wont make it just
because no one else has yet.. i don't think any of the other unix flavors
really tried to market a unix desktop before..

>
> > fifth: worried about linux forking.. which I can see as a potential
> > concern
> >
>
> Actually, this is probably one of the only arguements he makes that I
> disagree with right now. The community will be real slow to support
> another fork as long as Linus is alive. I guess this is where zealotry is
> a good thing.
>
>
> > sixth: claims OS is a small cost when running a server... tell that to the
> > people that have to upgrade every 2 years when MS releases it's new OS
> >
>
> Tell that to the HR people who can hire MS people at a dime a dozen when
> Unix people usually command higher salaries.
>

MS people might be cheaper salary.. but you've gotta send them to class
every year or two when MS releases a new product and requires new
certifications

>
> > seventh: I think he is trying to say it will only work if it is made
> > specific to hardware.. again.. not sure about this
> >
>
> What IBM did to AIX.
>
>
> > eight: good advice.. argument as to why linux wont make it on the desktop
> > it is not though.
> >
>
> If you choose to run linux you better know why, else you look like an
> idiot.
>
> > nine: a little fortune telling here.. linux will be used in embedded
> > devices.. so not on the desktop..
> >
>
> Bascially.
>
>
> > all together.. the article is weak..seems like more uninformed propaganda
> > to me..
> >
>
> This is a well put together article and makes some very valid points that
> people should take seriously. Don't call it propaganda just because you
> don't like it because it is anti-linux. There are points that need to be
> addressed by the community and simply sticking your head in the sand
> doesn't help anyone - not even you.
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> | Mark Bishop (mark@bish.net) | Computer Engineer |

I didn't think the points were very valid, I'm not a linux zealot(not
everyone that argues the other side is a zealot =).. I
refuted each point, not as well as you would have liked however, maybe
propaganda was too strong..but I'm gonna
stick with it being a weak atricle....
this should probably be moved to the politics list after your reply..
otherwise it might get ugly =)

Jason



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