internetling.com — If you?re a Linux enthusiast like me, you?ve probably tried to convert a few people over to Linux from another operating system. Even though you succeed many times, there are always a few ?geniuses? out there who need some real persuading to switch over to Linux.So here are some quick and simple things about Linux you can point out.
Feb 7, 2009 View in Crawl 4
bdbrFeb 8, 2009
I've been spending some of the past few weeks migrating a couple of linux systems to new boxes. These systems had various scripts and not the most common software packages. Some of it wasn't in any repository and had to be compiled from source...then dependent packages were missing and I had to go searching for those. It was NOT fun.
katrayunFeb 9, 2009
The same thing happens on articles about *ANY* OS.
urmyhartbstoprFeb 9, 2009
... I thought power user was people that use shortcuts and terminals. Like instead of using the mouse to click they just use mostly keyboard shortcuts. It's kind of like Vim versus Eclipse no?
catfoodgoodFeb 9, 2009
I'm a Linux User. I love it, i have Ubuntu on all my home computers. I was also a programmer at one time, and I've been through 101 level Computer Science courses, including Intro to Unix. The point is, that I love Linux because I enjoy hacking software, that's why I started programming and that's why I work on a development team today. Linux is perfect for me, but it's not perfect for everyone. You people on here that are saying, (to paraphrase) "Linux does everything just as easily as Windows and better!" are lying. It is not true, Linux is not the easy operating system for the lowest common denominator of computer users, it takes work for your system to behave to it's full potential. If you have tried to use 3d graphics you should know what I mean. I love Linux because it's NOT for everyone! The Linux fanatics are starting to sound like Mac fanboys, and it's embarrasing to me. Am I going to have to keep it a secret that I use Linux so I don't sound like some self righteous a$$ that thinks everyone who doesn't agree with my choice in OSs is an idiot? These peoples complaints are legitimate, just like our complaints against Windows and Mac are.
buckrogers1965Feb 9, 2009
Why? Since I have to give free support to friends and family I want to make my job easier. If I could get them to convert over to free software I wouldn't have to clean up their computers all the time. For any business I am associated with, I want them to convert over to free software because it is more secure, higher quality, reduces support costs, and is free. Money is important for businesses.
pechecklerFeb 11, 2009
Personal computing should be simple and intuitive. One should only have to know what they want to do, and not have to worry about how to do it.No doubt, command line is faster than GUI in nearly any situation, assuming the user knows exactly what they need to do, and the commands to do it. But what if the user knows what the want to do, just doesn't know how to do it?I'll use the Cisco IOS command line interface for example. I can configure a Cisco 1100 access point much faster with the command line than using the web browser GUI configuration utility, because I've memorized all the commands. But if someone who doesn't know the commands needs to configure the AP, their options are to read a few textbooks on the CLI, or follow a straightforward GUI setup wizard.I could care less which installer type is used, in fact I agree with you that the .EXE installer format is stupid, I understand all the negatives of it. My rant is with ease of use, simple intuitiveness of computing.Anything that can be done to reduce the number of times someone asks themself "what the f**k does this error mean," or "why isn't this working, how do I do this?!" is a blessing upon computing.
Closed AccountFeb 11, 2009
I see you point, but PLEASE dont use "power users" and "gamers" like it's the same thing. I won't talk about mirrors edge for the obvious reason (would you whine about your supervideo cable not fitting into the hdmi port? no, it wasn't made for that), but dual screens hell yeah, and the video drivers are taken care of by ubuntu (they only require you to enter the admin password)And for the umpteenth time; the terminal can actually be a newbie's best friend. Had you ever had to tech support your family or friends? Just last week I spent 45 minutes on the phone helping a friend run some game on windows (which included making the extensions visible, changing the extension, and executing a self-extracting zip) on windows. Had she been on linux, the same task would have taken me exactly 23.3 seconds (approximately), and been able to do it by IM, just telling to copy and paste a command. What's that? she won't learn that way? Well, there are some people who will never learn, and I am 100% sure if she had to do this again we'd spend exactly the same time clicking menus and checkboxes.Damn... I REALLY need to start using the "oh sorry I just haven't used windows in YEARS, I wouldn't know where to start" line
thorax232Mar 1, 2009
I run Ubuntu and because my F10 menu has been replaced and I don't have a Sony recovery disk (Windows discs don't work) I'm stuck with it. And I wholly regret it. Windows is easier and much more user friendly than linux.Linux is for the kind of person that always thinks the alternative is better. And for people who don't know how to take care of their computer. Ubuntu is a horrible OS and I do plan on dropping $60 on a Sony recovery disc very soon.
slackdragonMar 15, 2009
It's been my experience that there's a lot of untested and blind, knee-jerk hatred of Vista. Mostly from people hearing about how bad it is.I know 4 people personally that had a negative view of it, but after having used my Vista SP1 rig were amazed by it. "I was told it was crap, this is very nice."
trendyjewelsJul 13, 2009
While I agree with most of what has been said in the article I still use windows because I know how to work it inside out.