In comp.os.linux.advocacy, DFS
<nospam@xxxxxxxx>
wrote
on Tue, 23 May 2006 21:53:53 -0400
<70Pcg.79783$Jk3.4770@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
> Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>
>> Just to think that every [Windows] machine out
>> there can be morphed into Linux within minutes.
>
> A few minutes to install Linux over Windows - followed by a worldwide
> economic shock and years of work to replicate the functionality and systems
> on which tens of millions of Windows users depend.
And these are ... ?
Be specific.
I can think of a few that cannot be replaced by "raw" Linux distros
(some might be workable on Linux/x86+WinE or similar):
- ActiveX. Yeah, there's a technology that *everyone* uses. Not.
- DirectX. There are a few issues here, starting with my
lack of familiarity, but OpenGL is a substitute. I'm not
sure about the overlap, though, so I put it here.
- Various malware eradicators. Uh...malware? What malware?
- DirectSound. I'd need more research, and Linux's sound is
definitely in flux.
There are others with substitutes:
- IE. Yes, grand old IE, the WebBrowser that can Do Everything(tm).
(Except function properly.) Replace with Firefox, or perhaps
Dillo, Links, Lynx, or even wget, depending on desired app.
- MS Office. Replace with OpenOffice or maybe KDE Office (koffice)
or a combination of tools such as kate, gnumeric, and Evolution.
- Windows Media Player. There are some issues but RealPlayer is
a generally adequate substitute, depending. The codecs are available
for other players such as XMMS and Xine.
- Outlook. This one can be replaced by just about anything -- even
mutt. There are varying amounts of functionality, of course; mailx in
particular doesn't know what a picture is. (Or malware.)
- VBScript and JScript. These can be replaced by Perl,
Python, Ruby, PHP, or Bash, depending on context and
user's tastes. (PHP does have a standalone mode though
it's usually part of a webserver.)
- MSPaint. This one can also be replaced by just about anything.
- Photoshop. This one's arguably harder to replace but I'll admit I'm
not sure what I'd do in Photoshop that I can't do in GIMP. Of course
I don't really do all that much in the GIMP; more competent
individuals in such areas as photo composition probably need to weigh
in here.
- Visual Studio. I suppose kdevelop is a replacement (Glade addresses
a different problem) but I don't do all that much C++ anymore.
Cross-platform stuff:
- UT2004. Venerable, but still playable.
- Nexuiz. This strange little shoot-em-up is GPL, and has a small
gaming community. Usually there's more games than gamers, though.
Based on Quake I.
- Quake4. Not all that interesting as an actual game but the graphics
are gorgeous -- or would be if my framerate were slightly higher.
- DOOM. OK, it's a granddaddy. At least it has a plot of sorts.
- Duke Nukem 3D. Another granddaddy. Ditto.
- Heretic. DOOM for sorcerous types, and a great uncle.
- Hexen I. An updated version of Heretic.
- Hexen II. They switched engines on this one; it uses the Quake I
engine. Watch out for spiders.
- Quake I. Duh.
- Quake II.
- Quake III Arena, when the sound works.
- Doom III, ditto. Unfortunately this looks like Quake4: gorgeous
graphics, but not all that great a storyline. There's only so
many times I can trigger that "crash" before wondering what's the
point.
- UT. Ancient. Still works, though, unlike the old Unreal game
which starts at the Vortex Riker and works through various
nasty levels. I'll admit I'm tempted to dissect it. Of course
the newer UT2004 engine is more capable anyway.
There are, of course, the ones I happen to know about. I'm not up on
Halo 2, for example, and there's at least one payware online game which
would require some work on my part.
>
> Why don't you go pitch that "idea" to some local companies in your part of
> the world?
>
Some people here have.
--
#191, ewill3@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Windows Vista. Because it's time to refresh your hardware. Trust us.
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