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273 Comments
- LiquidSpark, on 02/07/2009, -46/+210MS must be really worried. Dedicating 1 person out of their 90,000 employees to this. Obviously, they're terrified.
- depro9, on 02/07/2009, -31/+162They would be retarded fools not to fear the power of the penguin.
- ligyron, on 02/07/2009, -17/+69I installed Ubuntu yesterday. I'm dual booting Vista and Ubuntu right now. I've used Vista for over a year with no complaints--I'm just bored and wanted to try something different. This is my first time using Linux.
I like it so far. I just don't like that you need to use the terminal for a lot of things. There's still a lot more room to make it more user friendly. When I first started Ubuntu 8.10, it downloaded about 150 updates. Not sure if it installed them because after I rebooted it wanted to download another 150 or so. Not sure what's up with that. It's not as fast as I figured it'd be, but since I'm new to Linux I don't know how to diagnose it and figure out if it's running at optimum performance. But right now, Vista seems to be smoother and faster. - benologist, on 02/07/2009, -20/+67Microsoft must be ***** ***** themselves if they assigned one whole person to it, and not even specifically to Ubuntu but to all desktop linux distros.
- rolf, on 02/07/2009, -8/+43It sounds like more of a middle managerial position overseeing some others, so they are dedicating more than a single person for this purpose.
- Langford, on 02/07/2009, -19/+52No doubt all Microsoft really wants to do is launch an add campaign to highlight Window's proprietary file systems and functions. It would be a job in which the person's hands were tied in frustration. I kinda think what they need to to rethink how they make Windows, but thats not likely to happen.
Off the top of my head, an idealized Microsoft Windows that was appealing to this Linux user might appear as such:
1. The base OS starts out spartan like NT4 or even DOS (as in no required IE, dot.net, or anything big like that), but with good hardware support and drivers like modern versions.
2. The entire set of apps and even the desktop and start menu would have to be interchangeable and not overly interconnected, in case someone wanted to stick KDE, Gnome, or whatever on it. Chances are the default menu would be fine, but easily replacing the theme without hacking one's own computer is a must. Also, I cannot adequately express my hate towards the scrolling programs menu in Vista and 7.
3. Synaptic Package Manager, or a similar interface, that gives access to a repository comparable to that of the major Linux distros, as well as being customizable to add other sources.
For 1 and 2, Microsoft becomes their own worse enemy, because they seem to be so attached to product tie-ins and bundling, and are so secretive about some of Window's inner workings. Thats not to say it's not possible, for an example of a somewhat-working model, one only has to look as far as ReactOS. ReactOS is unfortunately nowhere close to stable, but it is shockingly fast, which Microsoft Windows could be if they would take cues from the design.
For 3, Even with all the powertoys and buyable apps in their possession, they could not compete with the vast offerings in most Linux repositories. Start adding in 3rd party developers and they might get closer to it. To really reach the impressiveness they need, they would need to open it up to the same OpenSource apps they are trying to compete against, which doesn't seem likely. Given enough time, I kinda foresee the possibility of independent programmers taking on this task themselves, which would make people like Windows more while not actually improving Microsoft's sales, because it could have a feature equalizing effect on older and newer versions of windows. There are some similar things already in existence, but they are somewhat troublesome memory hogs at the moment. - FireSlash, on 02/07/2009, -4/+27I'm digging you down for the apple logo.
Not because I hate apple, but because branding Linux with an Apple logo, then claiming that it is superior to windows is kind of like slapping a Honda emblem on a Geo and proclaiming it better than a Ford. - mrsteveman1, on 02/07/2009, -2/+23That was classic. Misspell Asian while attempting to bash the name of a Linux distro.
- adkenc, on 02/07/2009, -1/+21the terminal CAN BE faster, but not necessarily.
example
i want to make a shortcut on my desktop to a folder deep in my music folder.
what's quicker:
a) browse to folder in gui, drag to desktop, click "create shortcut here"
b) open terminal, type out ridiculously long /home/music/genre/artist/album/track command (assuming you know the directory) and create a shortcut
granted, some times for bulk items it is slow to do the first one but then easier to hit arrow up in terminal (to show previous commands) and edit it to do the rest.
it all depends...
personally, i tend to like gui better. but its definitely not a bad thing to know the terminal. - HamSandwich, on 02/07/2009, -6/+26The terminal is faster and more powerful. But, "more user friendly".... c'mon, are you serious? The whole point of a GUI is to get rid of the horrible user un-friendliness of the terminal.
- mjasay, on 02/08/2009, -3/+21@LiquidSpark: Microsoft has an entire division (it's called the client division) focused on competing with free software and, had you followed the link, you'd see that Steve Ballmer considers Linux (including desktop Linux) to be one of his top-two competitive threats. So, try again.
- mrsteveman1, on 02/07/2009, -5/+21We're all very proud of you. Microsoft must be ***** their collective pants
- Toshibi, on 02/07/2009, -1/+17ubuntu-restricted-extras are in Add/Remove if you show all available software.
As far as programs are concerned, there are replacements...I found myself while still running Windows all those years ago that I was already using Firefox, Gaim/Pidgin, OpenOffice....so it didn't bother me much to switch.
Large Icons can be had in a folder by Pressing Ctrl and then the + key a few times.
I use Ubuntu, or some other version of Linux depending on my needs exclusively. I have found that without driver hunting that more hardware is supported (I have Linux running on my desktop, my MP3 player, my old ass laptop as well as all sorts of other computers I have set it up for for other people). - Cymrubeats, on 02/07/2009, -7/+22Whilst Apple spend millions 'informing' people how awful windows is...now that is fear.
- LiquidSpark, on 02/08/2009, -5/+20Competition IS companies trying to kill each other. If they co-operate and decide it's ok to split up the market, that's called a cartel.
- whiteguysamurai, on 02/08/2009, -3/+17Microsoft is spreading linux, by having a shoddy product. That they still, will not completely fix.
In the life cycle of one windows version, linux went from CLI heavy to a usable, stable desktop system. And even less time was taken to create a composition system that blows the mac os away!
Linux is the future. - azreal156, on 02/08/2009, -0/+14***** monopolies!
- falafelkiosken, on 02/07/2009, -3/+15for Microsoft it is 100% or nothing, competition is no alternative
- smotpoker, on 02/07/2009, -2/+14@GNdoab
The apt-get command isn't required. You can do the same by searching synaptic and clicking to install. You were likely instructed to use apt-get just because it was shorter/simpler than describing how/where to issue the 5 clicks to do the same thing in GUI. Now ya know though, just about any command you see with 'aptitude' or 'apt-get' can be done with whatever package manager GUI you use (synaptic, apt-get, etc)
In terms of usability, users no longer have to rely on word of mouth or hours of web searches to find decent non-malware apps since package management is neatly categorized and searchable. Worrying about specific apps isn't so much of a problem for many users who don't mind using a slightly different app or have no previous experience with such an app in MS-land.
There are pros and cons for everything but it's important to remember that Linux is for the very illiterate computer user just starting out and/or doing a few tasks or the advanced user who wants to do a lot more with their system and don't mind learning about technology. Intermediate users who get annoyed even having to learn anything new and think that something that acts different than they expected is 'wrong' are the main ones who have a problem with Linux. - Spire3660, on 02/07/2009, -6/+17MS has a right to be worried. The more it loses desktop/notebook/netbook share, the bigger the pressure to force them to inter-operate better. I REALLY want to start seeing more embedded linux on EVERY motherboard made. Just need to check email and and run webapps? Fire up the embedded linux clinet and go in under 10 secs.
The computing experience is boiling down to, "Do I have acess to the internet"? - pika2000, on 02/07/2009, -9/+20Actually, the solution is easy for MS. Just sell Windows for cheap. A person would probably rather spend $10 to $50 for Windows that have the familiar UI and apps, than deal with the command lines bonanza of Linux. Netbooks manufactures now prefer XP since they have more linux equipped netbooks being returned by customers, and have to provide more support for Linux OS to users, thus costing them more money. Problem is, MS doesn't seem to see that easy solution, still being stuck with their monopolistic and non-consumer friendly retail pricing and licensing. Luckily for MS, the linux community has little interest to make Linux as consumer friendly as possible.
- FightTest, on 02/08/2009, -1/+12Ubuntu is almost there. I've toyed with linux on and off since the late 90s and it has always had some big issues to deal with before it was a viable alternative for the mainstream. It was never really worth using over Windows.
However now I'm rolling with Ubuntu 8.10 on my laptop and really my only current fixable issue is it sucks for video, especially Flash. Videos tend to artifact or otherwise run poorly.
Other than that the old constant hurdle of inability to play whatever game I want on it remains, which is why my desktop will probably always be a Windows machine. But as far as installation, updates, other software, etc.. it's just as easy and featured as Windows at this point. - TrevorPace, on 02/07/2009, -8/+19Windows and Mac are always going to have the "I'm to retarded to know how to setup a printer" category. But when it comes to people that actually want to control their computers they all slowly move towards linux.
For example. Starting out in first year engineering only one or two people had linux. (even I didn't use it.) Then my friend bought a laptop and put Ubuntu on it. He wouldn't shut up about it. So I got the live cd and put it on my laptop now I won't shut up about it. Now this year every person I talk to that's in Electrical or Computer engineering are always asking me how easy it is to install and how hard it is to run. I even have mac users telling me they prefer my UI.
These are the people Microsoft stands to lose and I hope they do. - Giga, on 02/08/2009, -1/+11A job posting? In this economic climate? That in itself is newsworthy.
- maphilli14, on 02/08/2009, -0/+10Rock on 'buntu fans!
- illDecree, on 02/07/2009, -2/+121. Cnet did it first. i guess they are all linux users?
2. it's tech news. not all tech news is microsoft related. - mrsteveman1, on 02/07/2009, -4/+14Compare this to the number of articles posted all over about how TOTALLY COOL WINDOWS 7 IS GUYS, WE SWEAR IT DOESN'T SUCK THIS TIME, PROMISE
- mrsteveman1, on 02/07/2009, -2/+12Apples position in the market requires them to tear the bigger guys down while making better products, otherwise they would completely fail.
Microsoft really just needs to keep people from getting too pissed off or too cheap to pay for their stuff. - BeatPunchbeef, on 02/07/2009, -0/+9W.ine I.s N.ot an E.mulator
- LifeNova, on 02/08/2009, -0/+9Please don't reproduce.
- johnny8778, on 02/08/2009, -0/+9That's the problem with the world today.
- mrsteveman1, on 02/07/2009, -0/+9That one was pretty short. FYI: you get a prize for neither
- ModernDayDarwin, on 02/07/2009, -8/+17It's developers with this mentality that keep me employed.
I work as a usability analyst. - mrno, on 02/08/2009, -3/+11Microsoft hired tons of PR firms to spread the beta claims. Few MS employees can't keep their mouths shut. They are paying people off.
- Rudegar, on 02/08/2009, -1/+8ms sleeps in class
google took much of what was happening on desktop
and put it online and ms was sleeping
these days os on pc mean less and less unless you game
and ms sleeps
ms should fight for wmobile but they seem to be sleeping - MissionSix, on 02/07/2009, -9/+16The terminal is faster, and more user friendly when you know how to use it. A pretty interface usually gets in the way of what your trying to do.
- alterImperson, on 02/08/2009, -0/+7I'm watching "The Dark Knight" right now on my Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex machine. How? Clicked a freakin' button.
There IS only one Linux. That is Linux. I have never run into a single piece of software I couldn't install in Ubuntu that I could in Fedora. Linux's (linuxi?) all use the same parts, and if they don't come pre-packaged, they come as DIY kits. - KAMiKAZOW, on 02/08/2009, -0/+7How can you make a closed-source Linux distro without breaking the law?
- inactive, on 02/07/2009, -2/+9
You're kind of a jerk. - theOster, on 02/07/2009, -6/+13anyone else think this is probably the biggest non-issue story ever on digg? it's a job posting. who cares?
- JenBSmith, on 02/08/2009, -2/+9That's just what I don't get. Why fight it?
I'm a huge Linux fan. I toy with various distros, but Arch is my main desktop. But I admit it; I run an XP virtual machine for Visual Studio 2008 coding, and occasionally Microsoft Office 2007. (Sorry, I just like it way better than OpenOffice, please forgive me Mr. Stallman.) I also fire up a full XP install on a second partition for the gaming from time to time.
Just because the operating system itself is open source, it doesn't mean you can't make a buck selling programs for it. Microsoft Office 2007 for Linux? Visual C++ 2008 for Linux? Hell yes I'd buy it.
They're never going to be able to make it disappear. It'll just never happen. They can throw FUD, pull the Borg assimilation act all they want, etc etc and it won't make a bit of difference. (Probably regretting dropping Xenix back in the day.. who knew, eh?) Instead of *wasting* money throwing it away on these crap campaigns, how about *making* money? Microsoft Office for Mac doesn't seem to be deterring anyone away from actually using the Mac OS.. they'll use Macs whether or not Microsoft gives its blessings. Why not Linux? Put that money from the crap campaigns into something more useful, oh I dunno, fixing Vista maybe, or making sure Windows 7 comes out a winner and not have "Oh It'll be great once service pack ____ comes out." - Plotinus, on 02/08/2009, -1/+8Ubuntu = debian based. Apt = dependencies resolved for you.
What bollocks did you want to talk next? - Kingoftherings, on 02/08/2009, -0/+7You need Windows to develop C++ applications? What?
Linux is the best OS for development. Hey, it was made by developers, so they created the best tools for themselves. - KAMiKAZOW, on 02/08/2009, -2/+9I'm sorry for the harsh language but that article is bullsh*t. It makes the reader believe that Red Hat does not release any desktop-orientated distro any longer and Novell's only desktop distro is SLED.
The author completely leaves out Fedora (Red Hat) and openSUSE (Novell). Fedora is a fine GNOME-based distro and openSUSE is the distro of choice for KDE fans (its GNOME support is quite good, too). - phrstbrn, on 02/07/2009, -1/+7I don't know.
Maybe there could be some number, composed of a long series of letters and digits...
which would be assigned to the customer at the time of purchase, it would come in a box, or in an e-mail confirmation at the time of purchase ...
which could be used to authenticate against a secure connection to the upstream provider (Adobe, for instance), to provide automatic installation and updates ...
We could call this unique number a "serial number" - Kingoftherings, on 02/08/2009, -0/+6You've been computing for 25 years, and you still haven't figured out that Nvidia hasn't released open source drivers for Linux? You have to use the proprietary ones, and very few distros distrubute those right out of the box. Even in Ubuntu you have to enable them post install.
- secrity, on 02/07/2009, -5/+11It sounds like a managerial position, who will probably have a staff.
- inactive, on 02/08/2009, -0/+6 Yup,and they come onto Digg to diss Linux.
- Khast, on 02/08/2009, -1/+7You must not have been very good with Legos as a kid. Linux has a lot of great apps...but the thing about open source, is that you can compile it to run on any flavor of Linux.
PS I can play DVDs, and I didn't have any problems with my Wi-Fi.
This is on a computer that Windows requires a CD in the drive to install the Modem, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, ect..just so I could download the rest of the drivers.....
Linux figured out all the hardware, and set it up for me on installation. No CD, only needed the internet for the little crap, but no hardware warnings in the final reboot. :) - mrno, on 02/08/2009, -1/+7The reason, MS doesn't attack OSX is simple. MSOffice for OSX is still very profitable. Once Apple users dismiss MSOffice and start using more alternative, OSX is the next target. ROI for Office is about 4 times higher than Windows.
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