Why would I want my OS to be sexy? It's a damn computer, I want the s**t to work quickly and efficiently so I can pay attention to other things. I spend 90% of my computing time on linux and couldn't be happier.
In my defense, I wasn't trying to criticize. Just stating my opinion based on what I knew. Everyone responding has made it pretty clear that Linux has a lot more to offer than I previously thought. I originally saw the article title and it fell right in line with my opinions about it, so I thought I'd check out the comments section.Krondor, I couldn't agree more with you about the future of freeware. I think it will only become more central as technology roots itself deeper into our lives.At the moment I'm content with what I got. I will give Linux a closer look though. Thanks for all the info.P.S. Although I had to post up and actively engage in the conversation, I would like to note that this is the info that Linux needs to somehow convey to the masses (how I don't know). I would still be out their with my previous conceptions had it not been for a few of the above posts.
Nope. Definitely not the exception to the rule. That is like saying that 90% of cars coming into a mechanic's shop have mechanical issues. Your target audience depends on people who have no AV, don't update it, or generally take part in risky behavior. From grandparents, to perverts, and know-it-all self-proclaimed geeks - that is the audience I have experience in being able to routinely FUBAR a machine. Ironically, for the most part, they also aren't the demographic for *nix and Mac.My laptops and desktops are clean, as are my servers. All my home machines have AV software and (except for the servers,) Malware protection. On top of that, the infection rate at my employer is extremely low with sub-1% infection rate over the last calendar year. We run TrendMicro OfficeScan and my logs are completely clean on my work laptop. Good enterprise-level AV in the workplace and OTS for home has *never* steered me wrong. Rule of thumb, the riskier the behavior, the higher the risk of infection. It applies to Windows as much as it does to blind dates.
Yes, but in Ubuntu 9.10 all it takes in the terminal is:$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-mozilla-daily/ppa$ sudo apt-get update$ sudo apt-get install firefox-3.6this can also be accomplished using a GUI for users not comfortable with the terminal.If you really miss having to update software manually (rather than using a repository to automatically alert you of and install updates), then you can use a *.deb file. Which is yet easier than an *.exe as it is generally no more than double click -> install. You don't have to go through many options, clicking next, etc.
Linux (actually meaning GNU/Linux distributions) does not have a marketing department trying to come up with ways to sell more products through made-up skin-deep fake cover that caters to the most common denominator.BTW, Linux will be popular in desktops, but not in a way people think of the outdated notion of a desktop. More people will buy into simple netbook-like interface with internet browsing and email, online games, basic word processing, music/photo/graphics, ebook reading, etc. It's just a matter of time when people's perception of a desktop changes. IPad's popularity already proves that.Long story short, I still want competition, and I'd rather have OS X and Linux in co-existance. I'm not sure Windows will be necessary in the long run, as OS X has all the necessary features as an easy-to-use and yet powerful desktop that can overtake Windows. Linux will be more for technically savvy who want to customize to the core.I think the only reason Windows is still around at this day and age is because it's still pushed with cheap PCs as the only choice, and because of illegal downloads. If we didn't have illegal downloads, Linux could have been much more popular. How else can you have all the useful applications that average users need cheap and legal? I don't know how many average users will plunk down $300 Windows upgrade (average 2 PCs) and probably $2000 worth of upgrade of all other softwares (that's how much I invested in Windows until I moved to Linux when I found the price tag for upgrading to the next Windows version.)
I'll tell you what though, I'm using Ubuntu 10.4 out of the box as is. I usually Emerald things up with an OSX theme, but for the first time since early 2006 I'm happy with the install as is. That's pretty huge I think.
prompelApr 12, 2010
The trouble with Linux is that it needs a user with a brain.
vegetablelambApr 13, 2010
Why would I want my OS to be sexy? It's a damn computer, I want the s**t to work quickly and efficiently so I can pay attention to other things. I spend 90% of my computing time on linux and couldn't be happier.
confoundedjoeApr 13, 2010
At most 4.33 years is not almost 5 years. It's about 4.
rpgmasterApr 13, 2010
:OHeh, everyone I know has said they like Ubuntu's look better. :P
ilcmuchasApr 13, 2010
In my defense, I wasn't trying to criticize. Just stating my opinion based on what I knew. Everyone responding has made it pretty clear that Linux has a lot more to offer than I previously thought. I originally saw the article title and it fell right in line with my opinions about it, so I thought I'd check out the comments section.Krondor, I couldn't agree more with you about the future of freeware. I think it will only become more central as technology roots itself deeper into our lives.At the moment I'm content with what I got. I will give Linux a closer look though. Thanks for all the info.P.S. Although I had to post up and actively engage in the conversation, I would like to note that this is the info that Linux needs to somehow convey to the masses (how I don't know). I would still be out their with my previous conceptions had it not been for a few of the above posts.
jonp63Apr 13, 2010
Typical digg user. Hurling insults from behind the safety of your computer.
jmferrisApr 14, 2010
Nope. Definitely not the exception to the rule. That is like saying that 90% of cars coming into a mechanic's shop have mechanical issues. Your target audience depends on people who have no AV, don't update it, or generally take part in risky behavior. From grandparents, to perverts, and know-it-all self-proclaimed geeks - that is the audience I have experience in being able to routinely FUBAR a machine. Ironically, for the most part, they also aren't the demographic for *nix and Mac.My laptops and desktops are clean, as are my servers. All my home machines have AV software and (except for the servers,) Malware protection. On top of that, the infection rate at my employer is extremely low with sub-1% infection rate over the last calendar year. We run TrendMicro OfficeScan and my logs are completely clean on my work laptop. Good enterprise-level AV in the workplace and OTS for home has *never* steered me wrong. Rule of thumb, the riskier the behavior, the higher the risk of infection. It applies to Windows as much as it does to blind dates.
magikarp99Apr 15, 2010
Yes, but in Ubuntu 9.10 all it takes in the terminal is:$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-mozilla-daily/ppa$ sudo apt-get update$ sudo apt-get install firefox-3.6this can also be accomplished using a GUI for users not comfortable with the terminal.If you really miss having to update software manually (rather than using a repository to automatically alert you of and install updates), then you can use a *.deb file. Which is yet easier than an *.exe as it is generally no more than double click -> install. You don't have to go through many options, clicking next, etc.
billga1nesApr 23, 2010
Linux (actually meaning GNU/Linux distributions) does not have a marketing department trying to come up with ways to sell more products through made-up skin-deep fake cover that caters to the most common denominator.BTW, Linux will be popular in desktops, but not in a way people think of the outdated notion of a desktop. More people will buy into simple netbook-like interface with internet browsing and email, online games, basic word processing, music/photo/graphics, ebook reading, etc. It's just a matter of time when people's perception of a desktop changes. IPad's popularity already proves that.Long story short, I still want competition, and I'd rather have OS X and Linux in co-existance. I'm not sure Windows will be necessary in the long run, as OS X has all the necessary features as an easy-to-use and yet powerful desktop that can overtake Windows. Linux will be more for technically savvy who want to customize to the core.I think the only reason Windows is still around at this day and age is because it's still pushed with cheap PCs as the only choice, and because of illegal downloads. If we didn't have illegal downloads, Linux could have been much more popular. How else can you have all the useful applications that average users need cheap and legal? I don't know how many average users will plunk down $300 Windows upgrade (average 2 PCs) and probably $2000 worth of upgrade of all other softwares (that's how much I invested in Windows until I moved to Linux when I found the price tag for upgrading to the next Windows version.)
thewumpApr 26, 2010
I'll tell you what though, I'm using Ubuntu 10.4 out of the box as is. I usually Emerald things up with an OSX theme, but for the first time since early 2006 I'm happy with the install as is. That's pretty huge I think.
cppwizardMay 9, 2010
...but it works, and works well.