Linked by Mystilleef on Mon 29th Sep 2003 06:30 UTC
Linux will become ubiquitous in the year 3000. Okay, that was a horrible joke. Linux is just a kernel, the engine that runs an operating system. By itself, it is essentially useless. Kernels shouldn't be discussed or noticed by normal users. And as such when providing these users with reviews, previews and "professional" opinions, computer consultants, computer reviewers and computer journalists should not spew headlines like "Linux is not ready for prime time", "Linux on the desktop by XXX", "Linux to takeover Windows", "Linux is not ready for desktop" and so on.
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using and administrating are two different things. GNU/Linux is ready for the desktop, it has been for ages now. The problem is that it is not ready for luser administration. Face it guys, configuring GNU/Linux is not for your mom/girlfriend/baby son, etc. now, with every major distro release, we get closer to that, but we are not there yet. As it stands, GNU/Linux in the office where there is a compitant tech department on hand is not only doable, its preferred. A fully configured RedHat setup is just as usable for your average luser, saves the company money, saves the user time in productivity, saves the admin time as linux is far easier to administer (if you know what youre doing). I have gotten friends hooked on linux. But I alwas have to be "on call" to fix their screw ups.
An example of Windows vs. Linux on the desktop. /etc/X11/XF86Config vs right-click on the desktop, and click the last tab on the right. Now i will get the linux camp start on and on about how you have more power, you can tell what goes wrong, you have the ability to fix almost everything, etc, etc, etc. dont bother, i agree. that is why I use GNU/Linux. however, if you dont even need the little power windows offers you, then why would you want to go through the pain and agony of learning something like XF86Config?
One final note, the author talks about the Kernel, and userspace software. There is something in the middle, the OS. The OS is called GNU, Linux (the kernel) sits at the heart of GNU. Linux was written by Linus Torvalds and co. GNU was done by the free software foundation. One thing that we have lost in the vast rush of new users over recent years, is the knowledge of where we came from. I heartily suggest that everyone reads both Eric s. Raymond and Richard m. Stallman, because quite frankly if i hear one more mashing of philosophies by people who dont understand either, I am going to scream. At the very least, understand Linux, GNU, and userspace software. The ambiguity in this article is pretty typical. After that, understand the difference between free and open software. Personally, i think ESR is a genius, and RMS is a zealot, and a jerk, but that doesnt mean that people should not respect him or give him credit when its due.