What is Digg?66 Comments
- xerox, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5i dont hate windows, i just prefer linux :)
- shakin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I use Linux exclusively at work even though I had to fight with IT to let me do it (actually, I just installed it and fought with them afterwards). I'm a web programmer doing some complex backend work on fairly large (3 GB) databases. So, why Linux?
The available tools excel at my sort of work.
1. The Konqueror and Krusader file managers work as seamlessly with remote filesystems as they do with local filesystems, and they work with SFTP (SSH) so I don't need all sorts of listening daemons running on the server.
2. The development environments rock... KDevelop and Quanta+ are both excellent. I have not found better Windows IDEs. Specifically, Quanta+ offers some excellent interface views (called MDI modes).
3. It's easier to keep up to date (apt-get upgrade) than Windows and all my software, from IDEs to Apache to KDE, are all updated using a single tool so I spend less time chasing down updates.
4. Web site testing is great because I have more browsers to test with. I run IE in Wine, Firefox, Opera and Konqueror (Konq is very close to Safari).
5. I would have a very hard time working without multiple desktops, which are standard in Linux. I know there are Windows utilities that do it, but many aren't very good and I'd rather just use something that works instead of hunting down a good 3rd party app.
6. Kontact works better for me than Outlook or Thunderbird or other Windows-compatible mail clients I've tried. I think its to-do list is superior and its notes and journal features are very valuable.
7. The command line is extraordinarily powerful. I can use sed, wc, grep and other command-line tools to work with 500 MB+ text files without trying to open them in a text editor and slowing the whole system down. I do this sort of thing a lot.
8. Sometimes I think I would die without Subversion. Only the client is available for Windows, but I need a local Subversion server. I haven't found a Windows-compatible version control system that's as good as Subversion.
I'll stop at eight items. My point is that there are very strong reasons for using a Linux desktop. Each of Linux, Windows and OS X have strong and weak points, either OS limitations, features or lack of software in certain areas. Use whatever works for you. You'd have to be crazy not to at least try a few different operating systems so you know for sure what each offers... don't trust what you read on the Net. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4"Why do people NOT switch to Linux?"
From my experience most people that do NOT want to switch to Linux is because they have no skills other than Windows skills and if Linux gets popular they will have to stop faking their way as a systems admin etc.
I would put that reason in the majority as to why people are anti-linux...they can't use anything but windows and are **AFRAID** of Linux.
Fact is there are lots of people who make a living BECAUSE WINDOW SUCKS. If windows worked, and was secure we sure would need about 10% of the number of IT people around here thats for sure.
Its simple cover your own ass, let the rest of the world be dammed.
Cool. I get it, and have gotten the fact that this is the #1 reason people are anti-linux and no one wants to talk about or admit for years now. - manfesto, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Such a flame war. And being OS agnostic, I'm not sure if I'm not offended at all, or offended on all fronts.
Anyway, nobody is going to argue that, though desktop linux has come a long way, OS X and Windows have it beat as far as intuition and usability goes (though there is very little you CAN'T get KDE to do for you, if you care to try). This is still a FAR cry from calling linux crap, though. To simply call Linux an inferior OS that only loser geeks use to feel cool is just plain ignorant and rude. Not being able to run photoshop, office, etc. is of course a hit against using it as a desktop, but Linux is great for dev work (except .NET), apache, MySQL, etc.
Besides, I think that the price factor can't be ignored. My personal favorite reason to like Linux is that I can do everything I can do in Windows - watch DVDs, write papers, write code, photo and video edit (granted, not on a professional level without the professional tools of photoshop or premiere/final cut, but then again, I'm not a professional in either of those two areas), etc. - and it doesn't cost a penny.
Not to mention that if you support the ideals of the open-source community, Linux is the ultimate example.
And as far as GUIs in general go, nobody is more productive than people that do nothing but CLI - just look to your local UNIX guru. (not saying that I am - my favorite UI is OS X, after all, so I can't live without my mouse and icons - just saying that once those guys stop scoffing at people using mice and sit down to work, they can Vi up just about anything in half the time it'd take anybody else) - Flynnz, on 10/17/2007, -0/+3@manefesto
Well I dont think really thing linux users are losers (hence the smiley), I was simply trying to get back at the whole "afraid" comment. Which I thought was pretty lame.
I agree with a lot of what you are saying. But dont forget most people get windows for free (either comes with their machine or pirated...I have yet to buy a copy of windows) And all those great open source apps are also available on windows as well. So again its about options.
But I really do feel most Linux users use Linux as some sort of "geek cred" perhaps I am wrong, or maybe its just the few that I know. Either way I use all OS cause I find it interesting. I personally will use ANY os that gives me the most options. Right now thats Windows, and no one can argue that. If that changes so be it, I will wear a t-shirt with Tux on it and everything :) (notice the smiley) - jonwatson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2While I enjoyed the article and am a 100% GNU/Linux user, it would have been a lot more compelling without all the spelling mistakes.
My God... - staticten, on 10/17/2007, -0/+2they switch to Linux because they have nothing else to do in this world but to look for drivers and go out to the movies with their Linux during the weekends.
- Duston, on 10/17/2007, -0/+2For man (most?) of us Linux simply isn't an option. The software I need to do my work simply isn't available. I'm not going to get into the reason's why (they are irrelevant for this discussion) but if I cannot run the software I need what good is the OS?
For most people the only alternative OS that is even an option is Mac. They however are pricey and I can't bring myself to pay the premium for the lower performing hardware that looks great.
That's why Linux isn't an option for most people. Most are not in a profession that has tools/mainstream application support for Linux. - republicoftexas, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Why do people switch to Linux?
Because they get sick of microsoft *****! - echimu, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3It is all about freedoooooooooooooooooooooom.
- cabazorro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I play in Windows, work in Linux. Don't switch, do preemptive tasks.
- kozmo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Best desktop >>> Mac
Best server >>> Linux - pondster, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3"The requirments on the box said Windows 95 or better, so I installed Linux" - LMAO Still can't quote out of my mind :-)
- n8r0n, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2IMHO both Linux and Windows have there upsides and downsides. Some applications just run better in Windows and some run better in Linux. I lean more to the Linux side of things because I prefer the hands on approach that Linux provides and I feel like I have more control over my system when I am running Linux.
- anagami, on 07/02/2008, -0/+2"Because it's a cheaper way to piss on Windows users than Apple."
lol, fair enough. I prefer both btw (Mac OS X AND (Linux OR *BSD)). - olorinpc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1exactly - i make pretty decent money in tech support for a windows prduct.
but like it was said above, there are pros and cons to either. My home server runs linux, but at work i have to use windows. You go with what you need. - adml_shake, on 10/17/2007, -2/+3"People switch to Linux because they think it's popular.
They fall into the same category as iPod users. They are using an inferior product that has limited functionality.
chiablo"
Wow that's the dumbest comment I've seen on digg for weeks. All you did was show that you've never actually sat down and used Linux. I have a Linux box for some applications, I have a XP/2000 machine for others. While the ease of windows is nice, it pales in comparison to the controlling power that Linux gives you. Why don't you try to actually USE It and not just click on a few things before you make a retarded comment like that. - Luke, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The OS really doesn't matter it all about programs and support from software companies!
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Because its Sexy!
- logost, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I became anti-windows after switching its just annoying for me now to use windows.
- staticten, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1we should have a poll about what version of Linux everbody is using.
mine's Ubuntu, you know, the one "For Human Beings"
:) - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The philosophy behind Linux is that the term "user" is synonymous with "programmer", which is a definition straight out of the late 70s and early 80s. The philosophy behind Windows and Mac is that the term "user" is synonymous with "consumer".
Whether you like Windows or like Linux, EVERYTHING that you base your opinion on will INVARIABLY go back to how you personally define the term "user", and how you personally see yourself when it comes to interacting with your computer. It has nothing to do with brand names (Microsoft, Linux), it has to do with how you expect to interact with your computer. - Nullifidian, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1OS agnostic, I yam I yam
Windows support pays the bills...
Linux is just a fun toy to geek out on (and to run apache). - antoniojvr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Submitted at midnight, October 28 on digg.
Submitted at 11:22AM, October 28 on Slashdot.
No wonder they are so behind. - sailor, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Fedora Core 4
I think the comment "afraid" is kinda correct. Fear of the unknown. If you want to complain about no game support, you are correct but that is the least of what I use my puter for. Everything else is available for free on lunx.
Windows opened up computing to the masses, it didn't make them smart enough to run linux, you have to be willing to learn how it works. - Duston, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1As I stated above slithy, "being controlled" has nothing to do with it. It is about software. When Software Vendor's start developing for the Linux platform people may switch if they see a higher value in Linux.
Besides, there is no force in the world that can force an upgrade to Vista. Well outside of (insert software you depend on here) to cease to support anything but Vista. Don't see that happening. - walter909, on 10/17/2007, -1/+2Linux = Freedom
- mooninite, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Let's think of it this way:
Windows == Milk Bottle
Linux == Beer Keg - Flynnz, on 10/17/2007, -2/+3"I would put that reason in the majority as to why people are anti-linux...they can't use anything but windows and are **AFRAID** of Linux."
no thats just what most linux users want to believe.
Linux has an underdeveleoped front end. I dont care what distro you use.
And the main reason we are "afraid" is too many restrictions on software.
Can I get newsleecher? (the BEST newsreader) can I get 3dsmax? can I get photoshop (if you say gimp I will piss on your skull) can I get all the dvhs tools that I need? can I get TS authoring tools in general? and I could name many many many many more. I do use linux for my server applications cause its fun to play with, but as workstation, its a toy.
Windows gives the best options and I'm sorry the interface for windows kicks the crap out of Linux. If I wanted to do everything in a command line, I would have never stopped using DOS. Linux is not a step forward, its a step back in this regard. Its sole purpose (other than professional server applications) is for lonely geeks to feel cool, cause they most likely dont feel cool in any real life situations. :)
With that said I think that linux CAN sway me. Unbuntu has really impressed me, but still needs a lot more work to compete with a modern OS interface like XP, and OSX. Also if more mainstream software is supported (without any mainstream apps, your OS is useless) when these 2 itmes happen I will then consider using Linux distro again. For now I will use my linux with no front end at all....cause honestly, the frontend's I have seen are just posers "acting" like a real interfaces.
So to sum up...I am afraid to use a more restricting product, yes you are correct. - Smokezz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Who the hell cares about Slashdot? Its a different kind of website than Digg. So many morons on Digg... so many morons.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1OSX - Worst GUI - You can't even cut and paste files (you gotta drag 'em all over the place!??), Too much clicking, menu bar always at the top, DOCK is a horrible PoS.
Linux - OK GUI - KDE/Gnome still not as fast as Windows on the same machine, Not enough standards.
Windows - OK GUI - Annoying default install options, Windows Explorer can't remember settings properly, PITA to install since there are no "distributions" you just get what you get. - MonkeyFit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I use it because i wanted to try something new. I always have trouble with Apple software (I'm that one guy it just doesn't work well for). Also, I had loaned my laptop to a friend so he could do a project with it. He installed Ubuntu on it (I told him i didn't care cause i still had the recovery disc and didn't have anything important on their anyways) and when i pulled it out a few weeks ago, I remembered he had done that and decided to give it a try. I became very intrigued with it even though it was a little slow (hardware prob. 800MHz P3 with 128MB RAM. it was a REALLY old laptop). I now dual boot XP and Kubuntu Breezy on my main desktop. still have some bugs to work out in Kubuntu but it's fun to tinker with it.
- dingledoink, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I recently switched to Linux, as it's getting easier and easier to do so. I use my box mainly for email, and research. I have no need for it to be a gaming machine. If I were a gamer, I'd just get a game console and relax on the couch playing. There hasn't been one thing my distro (Ubun tu) can't do for me yet. It's go BitTorrent preinstalled, I can interface to my iPod easy enough, and with preinstalled OpenOffice, I've got the productivity I need. It's great.
- defylogik, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1by this time next year there will be a article entitled " Why do people switch to OS X" - soon as the damn intel processors come out and non power mac's can compete on the same level. ahem ahem powerbooks ahem.
- a_greer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1upon semester break, I will be switching to linux because I just took a class in it and finalyt found others that would HELP, and whom I ould help -- mot just a tom of people talking ***** like "Li//uX be 1337 roxor!!11!! w00t" and "RTFM n00b".
A little professionalisum goes a long way - oldgeek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I use it because it's different. I like windows XP too. I have it on my home office PC and the family PC has XP. My non geek wife likes Linux better, she says the K desktop on Suse looks cleaner.
- barbobot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"I would not switch to linux for desktop, i dont know why anyone would really.. read my blog, and send me some nasty comments so i can write some more stupid ***** and make some noise. i would like to really know who uses linux for what. and is it just a fad to switch or is it really more convenient than windows?"
Okay, Im bored, I'll bite your little flamebait.
a. Linux is not a fad, it's been around since 1993
b. Linux is easy, if its not easy you are doing something wrong
c.I use linux daily, I work as a unix admin at a large company, I use it for email, web browsing, irc, im, games, sharing files, my websites, my friends websites, printing, listening to music, watching movies, photo editing, word processing, spreadsheets, checking network security, etc etc etc ad nauseum.
I could go on and on and on, but now im bored of you. Your comments are both uninformed and trivial.
Q.E.D. - anagami, on 07/02/2008, -0/+1lies:
"I converted to Linux (from NetBSD) because of:
Price - I got a 1 GHz Duron PC from Walmart for $300
in 2002."
Isn't *BSD a free dowload?
"I like Linux because it's unix"
No, it's a POSIX or Unix-like OS. - tarun, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1A very "Linux" way to do a survey--in a totally organic and unorganized manner. There were no facts or figures, just comments from users. Surprised it was on a site such as OReilly.
- captainnico, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I use linux because I support the opensource movement. Think about it. Proprietary software hinders innovation, because we are so reliant on it financially. If you had quality software for free (OpenSource), there wouldn't be this problem. Add this to the GNU license, and people can modify the code and innovate independently or in communities, and I think that linux is the greatest example of this. I run linux, because I am supporting a movement for something better than windows and yes, even osx. You can't argue over the 16bit code back from win3.1 still floating around in xp. That is not innovation. OSX is really doing great, but in my opinion, insofar as it is a unix implementation, it is poorly organized. Looks great though, but then again, my destop looks cooler.
- znxster, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Very interesting to see some the reasons given.
"I chose Linux simply because I thought the mascot looked cute enough"
too funny.. dugg! - generalleoff, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Windows is a more practical operating system and Linux is a more special purpose deal. I use Linux but I never switched cuz when it comes down to it and all the fanboy/anti-Microsoft BS aside Linux is still a less capable operating system in many fields. I think Microsoft will be on top for at least the next decade but they will eventually fall to Linux or even Apple depending how they play their cards with the Intel stuff. If Apple plays that right I suspect they will trounce all over both MS and Linux. I doubt Apple will take advantage of that option though.
Still no matter what happens Windows is still on top right now and for the next decade. In fact even if Vista flat out bombs MS is still on top for the next decade. They just have to large a user base to disappear over night like some people seem to expect :) - manfesto, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Ya know, I don't get the whole "switch" concept.
Is it really that hard to dual boot, or on the off chance that a digg user has more than one computer, run more than one OS. Use Windows for the things you can only do on Windows (games for most, apparently TS authoring for flynnz, Word Processing, etc), and use Linux (Fedora Core 3 for me - I just don't feel like upgrading to FC4) for the things that you can only do on Linux (the entire K desktop isn't available for WIndows, and KDevelop is better than just about every IDE for Windows), things that you can do easier on Linux (servers, coding, etc), or if you just get tired of staring at Windows.
Or don't - only the most hardcore elitist geeks will chastise you for not using Linux, and they don't really represent the majority of Linux users (at least in my experience).
The guy that said that Linux users tend to be programmers and Windows users tend to be consumers had a pretty good point as to where the focus on usability seems to be. - barbobot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1a translation of linsys' post:
I have never used solaris, HP-UX, or AIX, but ill pretend i know what im talking about, cause once i put fedora on a desktop. - bozina, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Here is my take on the whole OS issue...
Windows = government/people who like someone to help
Linux = people/independent folk who can think for themselves
windoze is just too much of a hassel- if you want to use it you have pay $$$ to use it and any software. It costs too damn much. It seems ironic that it is affected by so much malware/virus' etc. It's also a little odd that it's patched so much. What's even stranger is that it is used by so many people - or is it that so many people rely on it?
Linux on the other hand is free and it works well. - Flynnz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1"Everything else is available for free on lunx."
really I Can get 3dsmax for free on linux? awesome
how about something to auther TS streams? - Corrosionx, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2When people want a free OS, they have a friend install a pirated windows. It's simple economics.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Yes, I am the 666th digger again!!!
- olorinpc, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2this is true, digg might have a lot of dupes, but almost everything that hits /. was somewhere on digg first.
for those new to linux: try www.distroofthemonth.com - quackdoc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Linux rocks...and I HATE microsoft. End of story
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