Re: Why?!

[Ed Cogburn <ecogburn@greene.xtn.net>]

Charles Collicutt wrote:
> 
> Hi,
>    Thanks to everyone that replied to my e-mail. I think my main problem
> is that I try to compile too many things that I could just get as an
> older, less optimised .deb file, also I started using linux at school where
> I wasn't root and so all the big things were managed for me and I got used
> to compiling my own software to store in my /home dir. To answer some of


	Sure, I keep a couple of programs in home and compile them for use even
though there is a deb available (long story).  There's nothing wrong
with this, its just that for 95% of software, letting somebody else
package it as a deb saves you time in the long run.


> your questions: yes, I am a developer (not professionally) but I can get
> compilers for Windows from school so their cost doesn't bother me :) And I

	Sure there is the educational discount, thats how I got my first 'real'
compiler (Borland C/C++ 3.1).  After school, your going to have to spend
$100-$150 every other year to keep up with the latest compiler
technology.  With Linux, you get everything you need.  Now, with the
egcs project, we're starting to see continous development of compiler
tech, at a rate FSF couldn't keep up with.


> do know the difference between Open Source and shareware, I was
> questioning whether the fact something is open source or not is relevant
> to an average home user. Some of you are obviously lucky enough to have


	OpenSource software is generally in a constant state of development,
that leads to improvements and new features at a fairly quick pace.  You
can be confident that the software will only get better.  With shareware
there are no guarantees about anything.


> many computers where networking - and therefore Linux - is viable. I have
> one desktop with no networking other than PPP to my ISP. You claim that

	Same here, one PC with PPP connection to my ISP.


> [snip]
>
> develop them - no companies to my knowledge develop games for linux) I'm
> not sure I should have a Linux partition as well.


	I told you earlier in the thread that I've read recently about the
formation of a *Linux* games company.  They will start by cutting deals
with the mainstream game companies to port existing games to the Linux
platform.  Hey, I just remembered another one:  a company that wrote a
game for the OS/2 are porting the product to Linux too.


> [snip]
>
> average Windows luser :) If anyone can think of an excellent way to save
> my soul please let me know...
> 

	Bill Gatus of the Borg:  Resistence is futile, you will be assimilated.


	Nobody can help you with your soul.  Saving it is up to you.


-- 
Ed C.