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584 Comments
- Kingoftherings, on 01/22/2009, -44/+546I love their little note: "Msnbc.com is a Microsoft-NBC Universal joint venture." Ruined all credibility.
"for the love of Jobs, stop telling us we're sheep under the sway of Microsoft." Since Jobs is capitalized, I assume they're referring to Steve Jobs? What does that have to do with anything? - wignasty, on 01/23/2009, -78/+377Seems pretty accurate.
- Vadi0, on 01/23/2009, -11/+232Having a beta copy of Windows 7 doesn't make you any less dorkier.
- ed54, on 01/23/2009, -53/+273This just in: the people at msnbc are douchebags.
- IrvineKinneas50, on 01/23/2009, -63/+265Except it is actually true. Linux is a fine OS for computer scientists and computer hobbyists. It's cumbersome and complex for anyone else. I'm a computer engineering major, have to work with Linux all the time in my programming courses, and while I like many things about it, I'd never recommend it to anyone except fellow nerds.
Get over it. - inactive, on 01/23/2009, -34/+186mazza558 is an idiot for creating the title "MSNBC shows its Linux hatred"
let's look at the article
"Linux is great. It's a free, open-source operating system (OS) based on work done by Linus Torvalds in the early '90s. Again, it's free, powerful and easy to ..."
and also
"Let's get this straight: Linux is very good, and leads the charge in an ongoing revolution in free software."
yeah, sounds like real hatred there, moron
what the article is complaining about is linux USERS who think they are superior and smarter than everyone else because they use this great OS and believe that everyone else is sheeple for following Microsoft and Apple - Spaceba11One, on 01/22/2009, -23/+153Pass...
I just thought it was funny how at least 3 of the products mentioned are direct microsoft competitors... Coincidence? Subtlety? About as much as Fox News would be capable of in a similar situation.
"I'm not even sure if Barack Obama is officially the president right now!" ...keep dreaming. - CoolHandRemy, on 01/23/2009, -5/+119I had to drop out of college because I couldn't install Linux on my Dell.
/sarcasm - samanathon, on 01/23/2009, -10/+106Having a TiVo and a BlackBerry make me a jerk? I suppose if I owned an AppleTV and a iPhone, than I'd be a cool guy.
- scurvydog00, on 01/23/2009, -33/+118I'll get buried to Siberia but there is some truth to what he says.
- kd420, on 01/23/2009, -8/+83WTF, they claim a Blackberry is "... the work version of the iPhone." Yeah, just because you can actually use it for work instead of stupid farting apps doesn't make you a jerk.
- Atomic1fire, on 01/23/2009, -14/+88Seems more like an self inflated individual who Justs hates Apple products and peripherals, Linux, Blackberrys, and segways.
that being said, the fact that he attacks mostly Microsoft competitors does make it look like the whole thing is mostly sponsored by Microsoft, even though its obvious due to the MS part of MSNBC
if you don't know what microsoft competitors,
Apple, Because of windows computers, and zune
Linux, Because of windows computers, Windows mobile, and generally most windowsy things
Tivo?, because of windows media center. - MPorterM, on 01/23/2009, -53/+116Nevermind the fact that this it totally true. Linux IS a total pain in the arse.
- ousthouse, on 01/23/2009, -2/+65Most people think Jobs is behind everything that's not Microsoft and Gates is behind everything that's not Apple.
- thelastknowngod, on 01/23/2009, -5/+61i agree with the article to a point. the average user cannot install a linux distro on their own.
however, that same user cannot install windows either.
once it is set up, (a properly installed) linux disto is pretty similar to (a properly installed) windows install. - daengbo, on 01/23/2009, -8/+55Other on the list include the Blackberry, iPod accessories, Bluetooth headsets, and TiVo. These are all important things to have for a large number of people. The whole piece cam off like it was from the tech section of a gossip rag.
- naruttebayo, on 01/23/2009, -13/+60*When I Started Using Ubuntu*
1. Oh wow this is great; I usually just use the internet and media files, so Ubuntu's fine. It's so easy to use too! And I was afraid of having to use a terminal.
2. Oh hey everything's running faster because there's no active virus/spyware protection anymore except a firewall.
3. Wait. I'm missing Software X. I remember Software X from Windows. I wonder if there's a linux equivalent?
Three Google searches later...
4. Oh great, I found it. How do I install?
5. Wait, I have to compile it or something? It's called an .rpm. Wait, what's that? When I double-click it it doesn't do anything!
More searching...
6. I have to go to the Terminal? Nooo! Oh well, I just have to copy/paste what this guide tells me to.... sudo rpm PackageX.rpm
7. What the heck are "dependencies"?
More searching...
8. Oh hey I can use Alien to convert the .rpm to a .deb
9. IT'S NOT WORKING
10. Oh hey getdeb.org has a .deb for it! Yay!
I still recommend Linux to people who just stick with Office/Firefox work and/or people who get a lot of viruses... But it's those things that drove me crazy when using Ubuntu. - ZeeZee2k, on 01/23/2009, -14/+60(Msnbc.com is a Microsoft-NBC Universal joint venture.)
- rolosworld, on 01/23/2009, -2/+48Not only that... but the guy indirectly says he hates MS.
"No one likes Comcast EITHER, but until it's convenient to string our own fiber optic cable WE'RE sticking with it."
After RTA and by this logic, I could assume he would agree with:
"No one likes Microsoft either, but since its easier to use we're sticking with it." - radu79, on 01/23/2009, -4/+43Linux is good for most of the people that only do e-mail, web, listen to music, download pictures, etc.
For me, it is good on my non main computers (all of them have Linux, except for my work computer). - t0x2c, on 01/23/2009, -1/+35Linux was a government conspiracy to stop the nerds from causing a revolt. Like crack was used for the projects. No one is going to stand up to the government if they have to update Linux.
The government 'maintains' Linux enough so that it stays unusable and in an eternal state of construction. - Gamer2k4, on 01/23/2009, -4/+37I agree. It's not Linux hatred; it's simply that Linux is a lot harder to use than Windows for most tasks. Granted, I've set up Kubuntu for my Mom because all she uses a computer for is email, web browsing, and word processing, and for that, it's great. Even so, she'll often call me saying that some aspect of it isn't working, and I'll need to hunt down an obscure and arcane command to enter into the terminal to make it work.
Does Linux have its uses? Of course. Is it better than Windows or MacOS at certain tasks? Most definitely. Is it a pain to use? Too often. - inactive, on 01/23/2009, -19/+50The entire news industry can go choke on a dick.
- spookyttws, on 01/23/2009, -12/+43The whole article is pretty insulting to any tech savvy person.
- joshuaer, on 01/23/2009, -21/+51Listen to what M$ NBC says
1. You a total jerk if you own a blackberry- solution Windows Mobile!
2. Bluetooth of any kind - Solution i long wire going from you phone which should be running Windows mobile
3. TiVo - Solution Windows Media Center.
4. Apple MacBook Air - Solution A Windows Netbook
5. iPod accessories - Solution Zune accessories
6. Linux - Solution Windows Mojave I mean Vista wait wait I mean Vista SP2 wait i mean Windows 7
7. Segway - Ok they got one of them correct. - stroudma, on 01/23/2009, -9/+37it works fine for me, really not that complicated. sorry you cant get it. maybe you can form some sort of group with that girl from wisconsin, and the british teacher from a few months ago, to commiserate with.
sudo digg my comment - CaptOblivious, on 01/23/2009, -8/+35" Unfortunately, Linux WAS a huge pain in the ass to use."
There, Fixed that for ya...
Seriously tho, you might want to take at look at the newest stuff, it installed on my laptop and _everything_ works.
Also, the one click install software repository thing is about as easy as it could possibly get. - hardeep1singh, on 01/23/2009, -6/+33They didn't spare anyone Macbook Air, Tivo, blackberry. lol
And I agree its pretty accurate... - PatrickTulskie, on 01/23/2009, -3/+30Dugg for neck beards.
- RoboDonut, on 01/23/2009, -6/+32"Gadgets that make you look like a jerk"
I'd expect this ***** from some random blog, but a major news network? Seriously? - DephexTwin, on 01/23/2009, -3/+29Of course you live in the command line. That's why you don't know what normal people are like.
- moges, on 01/23/2009, -3/+28I switched to Linux based OS's a couple of years ago and now have a hard time using windows.
The lack of basic utilities from a clean install, the lack of control over how things work and widely inconsistent UIs from the same company (Windows Media player anyone?) mean that I don't touch Windows unless I absolutely have to. IrvineKinneas50, what distributions have you used? In uni, we were only shown command line stuff, and used vi. Not a good combination to treat new users to first up.
Don't confuse "easy to use" with "what I know". Most linux distributions aren't Windows, and don't claim to be. Windows has just as many problems for the end user (what do you do if a driver has a fault?) as something like Ubuntu does, if not more. Windows is winning because of vendor lock in, deals with computer manufacturers and because of FUD spread about competitors. Its certainly not winning because its a better product.
As for p0windah's comment, I suggest you try installing Windows fresh and play a DVD using freely available tools (don't get a virus!). Also, that page is very clear about what it says, why it needs to be said and what to do. There are programs you can buy to play back DVDs on Linux systems and there are free solutions. I've followed those steps, but there also an easier way: enable the restricted repositories and then install the restricted codecs. Try this URL: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormat ... which was the first google result for "playing DVDs in ubuntu". - pentalive, on 01/23/2009, -8/+32Linux isn't any harder to use than Windows, it's just different.
You think windows is easy because you are used to it. - ProfBagelwood, on 01/23/2009, -3/+27Surprise! The stuff you're using in your computer engineering classes is more advanced than what most Linux users actually use.
The people that are so computer illiterate that they can't figure out how to double-click icons on a desktop just aren't trying. It doesn't matter if it's Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux. Clicking is clicking, Google is Google, typing a text document is typing a text document, and computer illiteracy is computer illiteracy. Seriously.
I set up Linux for my own parents, and they're fine. I set up Linux machines for clients of mine who are senior citizens, and they're fine too. Do they have questions and get stuck? Sure, but the problems they have are not specific to any operating system. I get just as many calls from Windows and Mac clients with the exact same questions, verbatim.
Scratch that. I get LESS calls from my clients who use my recommendation to use Linux after I show it to them. They're able to just plug stuff in, and it works. Printers, for example. Sometimes they call me because they can't figure out what to do now that they've plugged it in, and I have to tell them they're already done. And don't forget how nice it is that the package managers will keep everything on their computer up to date for them.
Sure. I have to spend 15 minutes installing Linux for them, and then 10 more minutes specially setting it up for them so that they never ever have to worry about doing anything to play media files or read MS Office documents. The "average" user has their operating system pre-installed and configured, whether it's a big retailer pre-installing and configuring Windows, Apple pre-installing and configuring Mac OS X, or me pre-installing and configuring Linux. As long as it just works, the "average" user won't care.
Grab an Ubuntu CD and go ahead and set it all up for somebody who isn't so good with computers (Flash playback, maybe have OpenOffice save as .doc by default, etc), and see for yourself how they get along just as well. - Giga, on 01/23/2009, -3/+27What do you expect from a submitter who proudly displays the Ubuntu logo as an avatar? This OS war nonsense is getting beyond ridiculous, use whatever you prefer or whatever fits the tasks at hand. Who really gives a ***** about what other people use?
- Siskoraban, on 01/23/2009, -7/+29That note is called "full disclosure", and I'll be impressed the day Fox News does something like this.
- Theli, on 01/23/2009, -2/+23Here's the list:
Blackberry: Competitor to Windows Mobile.
Bluetooth: Filler.
TiVo: Runs Linux, competes either directly or indirectly with Microsoft's own media solutions.
MacBook Air: Does not come pre-installed with Windows. Made by rival company: Apple.
iPod accessories: Not Zune accessories: Made by rival company: Apple.
Linux: Arch enemy of Microsoft.
Segway: Filler.
So... it's a pro-Microsoft article posted on a Microsoft owned website. It's an advertisement.
I'm a bit surprised that it doesn't mention Google anywhere. Of course, they don't make gadgets. - DouglasQ, on 01/23/2009, -12/+32"Again, it's free, powerful and easy to ... Oh wait, it's a pain to use."
Oh no you di'n't! - Bicep, on 01/23/2009, -28/+48Wait, did I just here a toilet flush? What a piece of crap website. Agreed: People at MSNBC are douchebags.
- azureskies88, on 01/23/2009, -7/+27Although I currently use (and love) most of those gadgets (including Linux), I wholeheartedly concur with all their statements.
- stattek, on 01/23/2009, -4/+23If you spent only a few minutes getting familiar with your system rather than attempting the usual Windows method of software installation, you'd probably find that installing new programs is many times easier.
1. Great Ubuntu's installed, but I need to Software X to get the same functionality I'm used to.
2. Go to Google and search "installing software in ubuntu"
3. Hmm, this Synaptic seems to be a central resource for many common pieces of software.
4. Click search, type quick description of software your looking for, seconds later several results appear.
5. Select one (or a few to get a taste for different projects), click Apply, and within a couple of minutes you're ready to go.
6. Wow, that was quick, free and painless. I didn't even have to look at the command line once. - dehemke, on 01/23/2009, -1/+20Linux is getting close, but even the more user friendly builds can still require delving into CLI and text configuration files.
That is not something that most users can or desire to do. - neonoodle, on 01/23/2009, -1/+20wow Skywise, you've really hit the bottom of the barrel. If he didn't take it, you'd be criticizing that he's not your President. Now that he did take it, you're criticizing him again. Just give it up. The whole thing is a farce
- SpeedSteamBoat, on 01/23/2009, -0/+18My mom likes it just fine, and she's no computer scientist.
Please tell me what is so much harder about checking e-mails, surfing the web, and writing documents (i.e. normal PC user stuff) in Linux as apposed to Windows, because I strongly suspect you're wrong. Aside from gamers, I think Linux is primarily more difficult to use for more advanced computer users who are used to the Microsoft way of doing things. The biggest difference my very non-techie family members noticed was that "the Start Menu is in a different spot." -_- - CaptOblivious, on 01/23/2009, -0/+17What a nice shiny hat you have there!
- alvinlee123, on 01/23/2009, -14/+31fairly biased but it does address a good issue, i hate dickweed linux fanatics who swear that u should go to linux
all os s' have their merits and demerits - argusbargus, on 01/23/2009, -0/+17"C'mon... _everything_? Wifi too? You can't drop a bomb like that and then not mention the type of laptop or distro!!"
I have an HP dv9300 laptop with OpenSUSE 11.0 installed and a home-built desktop with OpenSUSE 11.1. All devices were detected, proper drivers installed and running smoothly. Both machines use native Linux drivers for webcam and wifi. I have installed OpenSUSE on my kids machines, my wife's machine, my mom's machine, ... Same result.
"Unfortunately, Linux IS a huge pain in the ass to use."
My mom and kids have no difficulties with it, and yet you claim it is a huge pain in the ass. That doesn't say much for your tech savvy. - RoboDonut, on 01/23/2009, -3/+20"people who wear bluetooths"
You cannot wear a wireless protocol. - krc1, on 01/23/2009, -13/+29I'm a household user that switched (along with my wife) to Linux over a year ago and haven't looked back. I find statements that Linux is too difficult for average users typically fall into one of the following categories:
1) From people that don't know what they're talking about.
2) From people that want to be elite.
3) Both.
Anyone with an average IQ that can spell "google", and knows what to do once they get there, can learn to use Linux. I ran into very few problems, and was able to resolve them on my own. I might be slightly out of the ordinary, I think the command line is the greatest thing before or after sliced bread. - bretkuhns, on 01/23/2009, -4/+20"C'mon... _everything_? Wifi too? You can't drop a bomb like that and then not mention the type of laptop or distro!!"
For me yes, everything works. I have a Compaq C300 laptop and Ubuntu 8.10 installs without a hitch and everything is detected and running properly (same goes for my P4 desktop, but that's less impressive, I suppose). I'm on my WPA-TSK encrypted home network right now, in fact. I didn't have to do anything special to make it work, no NDISwrappers, no windows cut drivers, etc. Sorry guys, but get over yourselves, Linux is improving rapidly. Just a year ago, my wireless didn't work in Ubuntu 7.10, nor did hibernate or sleep. Things change... -
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