The first officially-released build of Windows XP SP3 has surfaced, with 1073 patches/hotfixes and several new features. This build has been made available to testers as a part of the Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 beta program and is available in English, German, and Japanese.
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Member since:2005-07-01
Member since:2005-11-12
You are right there. I was just using Quake 3 as a typical 3D shooter game reference. But my point is still valid. Look at the steps it takes to get it up and running. 1) install Linux RPM. 2) Copy map files to Quake Linux directory 3) change permissions to get files to run in X. Just imagine explaining that to a typical Windows user. If you can't hit next, next install people won't use it. It is different if you are a Linux user since you are probably more of a techie and like to tinker with such things.
Member since:2007-10-07
i dont see the point buff.
how you can say that is easy insert an cd chose the installer or do several clic on the next button against only select the package on linux distros today without do next,next next.
I understand that the average user has some fears to try linux, and they already don't know windows, and they dont want to know. but that's not the point here.
Member since:2005-11-12
i dont see the point buff. how you can say that is easy insert an cd chose the installer or do several click on the next button against only select the package on linux distros today without do next,next next.
Maybe my experiences working for marketing companies has messed with the way I see things. You need to think like a newbie or a non-technical Windows user. People are used to opening the installer and clicking next, next, okay. Opening the packaging manager is absolutely easier but, and here is the major point, it is *foreign* to the average Windows user. People that are used to using something in a specific way don't like to change. This might sound ridiculous but it is the core reason why people stick to Windows i.m.o. That reason and also the fact that they can't download or buy TurboTax at the computer store and run it exactly the same way as it runs on Windows without tinkering. These really seem like ridiculous reasons but if you have ever worked in a computer store you would see what I mean. When I worked as a salesperson people would ask me if XYZ piece of software worked on Windows. I would have to explain it is a Macintosh computer and runs Macintosh software. People would look at me and say, "So it doesn't run Windows?" Honestly, that would happen to me at least several times a week.
Member since:2007-08-22
You do have a point on the installation and availability of software. Yes, Linux does have a lot more software available, but it's not necessarily the same software people want. For instance, my wife wants certain software that isn't available on Linux so I can't fully migrate my home systems over to Linux - I have to have at least one Windows system. Fortunately, Win2k does the job so I don't have to spend the outrageous amounts Microsoft wants for the OS's now-a-days.
As to Quake3 - why are trying to virtualize it?! It's available for Linux natively.
http://www.freebsdsoftware.org/games/linux-quake3.html
So is Quake2 and Quake, and a number of their variants, along with Decent and its variants, and Doom and its variants. Id software is pretty good with Linux. :->
Member since:
2005-11-12
that is why people are not switching to Linux even though it is free.
People don't switch to Linux for many reasons. The most obvious one is they can't buy a typical Windows program like Office or TurboTax and install it by clicking next, next okay in a wizard dialog box. There are all kinds of attempts to make this functionality work but it is still not as easy as installing on Windows. You could make the argument that apt-get and yum are superior -- which they are -- for installation and updating but the average Windows user doesn't know how to use these methods. Change is tough and people don't like to do it unless they have a convincing reason. Even saving money falls flat as an argument. What is the cost of Vista $200? For the Windows user to be able to use existing software and not have to learn a new way to use the PC is a *huge* motivator. Also, if you are a diehard gamer XP is just so much more practical. Ever try and run Quake 3 virtualized? I'm not really a big Windows supporter I just am practical about why it continues to be so popular.