In comp.os.linux.advocacy, Yaw Lim
<ytlim1@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote
on 18 Jun 2006 18:39:15 -0700
<1150681155.754253.261190@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
> Linux is stable, does everything you want, all those things are
> correct. But easier than Windows is probably not among one of those.
>
> 1) too many distros
> - sure, it's a freedom of choice
> - some might even say it's a form of democracy
> - but normal desktop users just want to have something
> that works
> - new users will hopefully be lost if they don't invest
> significant time to work this one out
How many is too many, and who decides? You? Me? Bill Gates?
Erik Funkenbusch? Roy Schestowitz? Osama bin Laden?
Paris Hilton? Donald Trump? Kaiditcha Man?
>
> 2) if you hit a problem with Linux
> - of course there are these army of volunteers at various
> user forums willing to help you
> - everyone is ready to put in their 2-cents worth, so about
> 10-20% of the answers are probably useless or even point
> you to the wrong direction
> - while it's open, it also means no one is responsible for
> whatever goes wrong
These issues are not limited to Linux. For example, the IRS appears to
have some problems of its own in that area.
>
> 3) software updates for Linux
> - FC uses one tool, SuSE uses another, who knows what other
> distros are using?
> - Will a new user be able to handle this?
Does a new user know how to handle Windows?
>
> 4) why Linux shines as servers?
> - because they are handled by admins, who usually have good
> knowledge about Linux (and likely Windows too)
> - this definitely proves that Linux is stable, secure (more so than
> Windows), etc.
This proves nothing of the sort beyond that Linux can be
used as servers (and quite successfully). TCO reports
from Microsoft cloud the issue considerably. I have yet
to see good objective recent data, though older reports
are promising.
>
> I think the teaching of MS Office everywhere in school is probably
> another factor why Windows dominates the desktop. All these productive
> tools really separates Windows from Linux. They have become the
> "standard" in the coorpoarte world that no one would want to risk the
> incompatibility with Linux Open Office or Star Office.
What incompatibility? OO reads Word files, no problem. Writes them,
too.
Personally, I think open document formats make more sense, though.
>
> The compromise? The few companies I used to work use both Windows,
> Linux and Unix - Windows on the desktop, Linux/Unix as the servers.
> This is even true for some companies that develop Linux/Unix software.
It's very common, yes.
>
> I think Linux probably will never conquer the desktop if the current
> trend continues. The model it was developed and the way it's maintained
> and distributed really are more suiteable for server than desktop
> environment.
>
[.sigsnip]
--
#191, ewill3@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Windows Vista. Because it's time to refresh your hardware. Trust us.
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