29th November 2003, 10:56 PM
I deleted my last post because I didn't make any point.
Yeah, Linux has a higher learning curve than Windows. But it's no more difficult than the what you've learned to get this far. It's just that this is as far as Microsoft lets you go, so most people call it "good enough". I want to go farther and learn more. I understand if other people don't. My parents just want a way to check their email and surf the internet. But the thing is, they could do that with Linux or with OS X, and do it just as easily.
The reason I talked about a desktop that has all that stuff built into it is because ABF said Linux was blah. You can do and change anything in the Linux GUI (called X Window) system. You can't do that in XP. You have to choose from one of 3 color schemes: Blue, Silver, or Olive Green (unless you buy an app like <a href="http://www.tgtsoft.com/download.php">Style XP</a>). That is boring.
Right now Linux is not the choice for people who can't do anything with computers. But all of you guys are far past that point. Linux is barely 12 years old, and growing like crazy. Currently the focus is to catch up to Microsoft in terms of apps, and they aren't focusing much on making it easier. But that will come soon, and then things might begin to change. I say "might" because I don't know if there will be a strong push to simplify Linux. That could be considered, among most of the hackers who have made Linux what it is, dumbing down and selling out. It's not a commercial product anyway, and anyone who tries to make money off it is usually looked down upon. But it is so nice to see something that is not just about money.
I'm not trying to say that nobody should use Windows. I use Windows at home and at school. Even my friends who wear Linux t-shirts and have been programming since they were 7 use Windows. I'm not trying to say that Windows is horrible. And I'm not trying to say that you are stupid if you use Windows. I am, however, trying to make it clear that Windows is not a quality product and you shouldn't complain about other operating systems like OS X or Linux just because you are unfamiliar with them. They are far superior products, and it's unfortunate that nobody seems to understand that.
Yeah, Linux has a higher learning curve than Windows. But it's no more difficult than the what you've learned to get this far. It's just that this is as far as Microsoft lets you go, so most people call it "good enough". I want to go farther and learn more. I understand if other people don't. My parents just want a way to check their email and surf the internet. But the thing is, they could do that with Linux or with OS X, and do it just as easily.
The reason I talked about a desktop that has all that stuff built into it is because ABF said Linux was blah. You can do and change anything in the Linux GUI (called X Window) system. You can't do that in XP. You have to choose from one of 3 color schemes: Blue, Silver, or Olive Green (unless you buy an app like <a href="http://www.tgtsoft.com/download.php">Style XP</a>). That is boring.
Right now Linux is not the choice for people who can't do anything with computers. But all of you guys are far past that point. Linux is barely 12 years old, and growing like crazy. Currently the focus is to catch up to Microsoft in terms of apps, and they aren't focusing much on making it easier. But that will come soon, and then things might begin to change. I say "might" because I don't know if there will be a strong push to simplify Linux. That could be considered, among most of the hackers who have made Linux what it is, dumbing down and selling out. It's not a commercial product anyway, and anyone who tries to make money off it is usually looked down upon. But it is so nice to see something that is not just about money.
I'm not trying to say that nobody should use Windows. I use Windows at home and at school. Even my friends who wear Linux t-shirts and have been programming since they were 7 use Windows. I'm not trying to say that Windows is horrible. And I'm not trying to say that you are stupid if you use Windows. I am, however, trying to make it clear that Windows is not a quality product and you shouldn't complain about other operating systems like OS X or Linux just because you are unfamiliar with them. They are far superior products, and it's unfortunate that nobody seems to understand that.