Re: Back to Windows??
----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig T. Milling" <c-milli@physics.uiuc.edu>
To: "'Debian-Laptop (E-mail)" <debian-laptop@lists.debian.org>
Cc: "Christopher Wolf" <debianlists@thewolfden.org>; "Craig Milling"
<ctmilling@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2001 6:44 PM
Subject: Re: Back to Windows??
>
> Here are some concrete positives (in my experience) for why you would
> *want* to run Linux as more than just a hobbyist.
>
> (1) You control the interface. You have a choice of window managers,
> GNOME, KDE. *You* get to decide how you want to interact with the
> computer, not Bill Gates.
Hans:
In the first place these window managers are Windows look-alikes, especially
KDE that was intentionally designed to be as Windows as Windows can be
i.m.h.o. In the second place, I do not have this insurpressibke urge to
"decide by myself" if others offer a good solution, named Bill or not.
>
> (2) Stability. It is a pleasure knowing that I can leave my laptop
> running for days/weeks at a time and it won't crash. Even if there is a
> misbehaving application, it can be killed without destabilizing everything
> else.
Hans.
I do run KDE, and the browser and office applications crash on a regular
basis and in fact much more often than the Seattle counterparts.
>
> (3) Free. As in beer. I really like the fact that the next
> kernel/GNOME/gnuplot/emacs upgrade won't cost me $90-$100. It's free.
> Yes it costs some time, but (2) makes up for that.
Hans:
The money issue is relative, Japanese companies are now kicking Linux out
because they discover that they are spending huge sums at "Linux
specialists" maintaining their systems.
>
> (4) Free. As in speech. The source code is open, which means no one has
> control over your computer. It also helps combat software obsolence and
> forced upgrades by having file formats open.
Hans:
I don't follow this argumentation. The fact that the source is open is in
no relation that your computer is not controlled. I am not an OS expert, I
don't want to be an OS expert I don't want to look into sources that are not
part of my core business, I want the software to work correctly and
therefore yes: Any software controls my computer.
>
> (5) Unixisms: True multitasking, multiuser capabilities. You don't have
> to worry about nuking important files (as long as your not root!). You
> don't have to worry about being bit by the LOVE BUG. You can lock down
> services to hold script-kiddies at bay. You can share your computer with
> other users w/o them messing up your files and desktop.
Hans:
Misargumentation, the file protection system of let's say NT or W2000 is
much more sophisticated than UNIX, alas for you but that's a fact and I will
not share my computer. And for viruses, yes you have to be a bit more
careful, a bit less naive, that's true.
>
> It is difficult. It seems everything involving setup and installation is
> difficult the first time, but the time spent is an investment, not a loss.
> The next time you do something it gets easier. I would recommend you aim
> low. Set up a dual boot configuration so you can always use Windows.
> Then install Linux and work on it a little bit at a time. Get a command
> line going, then X, then compile a kernel specific to your machine. First
> get your NIC going, then sound card, then ... Yes it may take awhile, but
> you will find yourself being slowly won over to Linux. Then the next
> computer you get, things will go much faster.
Hans:
Again, from my objectives of using my computer, these investment are pure
losses. I don't want a dual boot system, my computer is a server, so
hopefully boots a few times a year. I have no intention to become a kernel
hacker, an inventoe or a whizkid, my objective is to have a stable simple
server machine on the shortest term possible. And don't forget, companies
switching to Linux usually have exactly this reason.
>
> Don't forget that a computer is just a tool. If you need all your
> hardware, use the preinstalled OS. If you also need some of the GNU tools
> (tar,awk, ...) install Cygwin, or dual boot.
>
Hans:
Right on !
Linux should not be a cult, but I think it is by now .....
> My testimonial: I got my laptop in Jan,1999 (an ARM TS759. ARM is very
> linux friendly and even offers preinstalled RedHat. I specifically asked
> about Linux before buying). My NIC (a generic 10baseT) was supported off
> the bat. It took about 6 mos for the soundcard driver to make it into the
> stable kernel. I would still use Windows regularly. Eventually my
> windows use was only for games and all my work was done in Linux. Finally
> I got bored of the games. The last time I booted into windows was 6 mos
> ago, and last week I got rid of the last fat partition on my disk.
>
Hans:
Mine: I got an all Linux compatible hardware set, because I checked all
components before. Got Debian 2.2.18pre21 and the result: I can't print on a
HP2100 (mentioned to be "perfect" for Linux), I can't tar to a DI-30
tapestreamer (proudly declared: "Linux certified" by the manufacturer), I'm
doubtful if my network will work and it will probable take another year
before I get my ADSL modem working. I will install W2000 in the days to come
and if everything works: "bye bye Linux".
> Craig Milling
>
> PS. If you made it down this far, thanks for reading my rambling missive.
> :)
>
Hans:
As you can see, I made it.
> ____________________
> Dr. Craig T. Milling
> c-milli@uiuc.edu
> Dept. of Physics, Univ. of Illinois
> Phone: 217/333-1930
>
>
>
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