Linked by Thom Holwerda on Mon 19th Nov 2007 21:22 UTC, submitted by irbis
"Linux has proven amazingly flexible: after nearly 10 years of use, I'm still impressed by how the Linux operating system does exactly what I want on any type of hardware. Desktop customization is no exception; from the ultra-modern KDE and GNOME window managers to with the likes of Fluxbox and AfterStep, there's a Linux desktop to suit everyone."
Thread beginning with comment 285398
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2007-02-17
To windows users - rather than look for a reason to use Linux, try the approach of trying Linux for a while (try PCLinuxOS live CD), try the different DE's and try to find reasons to use windows. Give Linux a good, serious try - you may find a pleasant surprise
I remain quite mystified about the apparent attitude of Windows supporters towards Linux.
Linux has a longish list of important advantages and cost savings and "lack of hassle" time savings for the users over Windows ... yet Windows users seem to be in denial about that, and seem desperate to try to put down Linux and bolster Windows ... and one has to ask to what end?
Do they actually want to hand over their hard-earned money to Redmond year after year for no good reason? Do they really want to yield control over their own hardware and their own IT spending to a large American corporation of known untrustworthiness? Do they really want to spend considerable time, effort and money constantly trying to keep their systems secure? Do they really want to be dependent on the whims of one foreign firm to continue to have access to their own digital data? Do they like being spied upon and dictated to? Do they want to be inundated with obnoxious advertising and spam?
Exactly what gives with all that anyway?
One suspects there is some mis-representation here of what genuine computer users actually think.
Can we mention the word "astroturfing" perhaps?
Edited 2007-11-20 09:35
Member since:2005-06-29
Linux has a longish list of important advantages and cost savings and "lack of hassle" time savings for the users over Windows ... yet Windows users seem to be in denial about that, and seem desperate to try to put down Linux and bolster Windows ... and one has to ask to what end?
Maybe because they simply LIKE Windows? Not everyone shares an interest in openness and more of that stuff - for them, Windows is what they know, and despite its shortcomings, it's what they like. Can you please LEAVE it at that, instead of trying to make it seem as if Windows users are complete idiots? Stop generalising, lemur, it's REALLY starting to work on my nerves.
And I even find it offensive. I had my parents try Linux for a few weeks, and they simply DID NOT LIKE IT. Can't you just accept that?
Do they actually want to hand over their hard-earned money to Redmond year after year for no good reason?
Year over year? My parents bought Windows XP 5 years ago, and Windows 2000 8 years ago, and they're still using them. What is this "year over year"?
Do they really want to yield control over their own hardware and their own IT spending to a large American corporation of known untrustworthiness?
Oh, cut the nonsense already. Microsoft is no worse than any of the other big companies of the world - what car do you drive? Do you really think Toyota or GM is any better than Microsoft, or any other company? Yet you easily trust those, and step into their cars every day.
Do they really want to spend considerable time, effort and money constantly trying to keep their systems secure?
No they don't, and so they don't do it. The machines are set up YEARS ago, once every year or so I do some maintenance, and that's it. No virus, no spyware, nothing.
Do they really want to be dependent on the whims of one foreign firm to continue to have access to their own digital data?
Cry me a river. We're not all paranoid.
Do they like being spied upon and dictated to?
Spied upon? Dictated to? In what world do you live?
Do they want to be inundated with obnoxious advertising and spam?
You mean like your comments on OSNews?
One suspects there is some mis-representation here of what genuine computer users actually think.
Sure, everybody else is wrong, and you are right. Maybe, just maybe, it's YOU who is wrong? No, that couldn't be, could it? I mean, you use Linux!
Can we mention the word "astroturfing" perhaps?
Yes. That's that thing you are doing.
Member since:2005-08-11
"Linux has a longish list of important advantages and cost savings and "lack of hassle" time savings for the users over Windows ... yet Windows users seem to be in denial about that, and seem desperate to try to put down Linux and bolster Windows ... and one has to ask to what end? "
I got a couple of problems with this statement:
1. I don't think there is any "lack of hassle" with Linux. The hassles are different, but they are there. I use both, and have never really noticed a big difference in tinkering time between Windows XP and Linux. Luckily, problems with either are the exception, not the norm.
2. Most Windows users couldn't care less about Linux or about bolstering Windows, they just want their stuff to work, so they can get back to downloading porn.
Member since:
2007-07-04
When all's said and done the main point of this article was surely that when using Linux there exists a far higher degree of choice than when using other OS's. I mainly use KDE, but enjoy trying alternative DE's from time to time (mainly Fluxbox, the tab feature is a great feature - trust me).
When using Linux, not only can one choose almost any DE one wishes, it can also be configured (admittedly with some difficulty in a (very) few cases) to do exactly what you want it to do.
The choice to use an interface that looks, feels and does what you want it to do and not what someone else decides is the best way is very liberating when working.
As to using Linux on your PC (to Rockwell) the way I look at it is this, I've used Linux for 3 years now and I have found no need to revert to windows other than at work (we use modelling software for which there is no Linux alternative). I have no difficulties at all - I have never, ever had to revert to Windows to do anything - seriously.
With Linux I have choice in terms of how I work and use the computer.
To windows users - rather than look for a reason to use Linux, try the approach of trying Linux for a while (try PCLinuxOS live CD), try the different DE's and try to find reasons to use windows. Give Linux a good, serious try - you may find a pleasant surprise
Choice is good, choice is necessary, it drives the technology forward.