Home > Geeky, Software > Ahh… I finally dumped Linux and got back to Windows!

Ahh… I finally dumped Linux and got back to Windows!

September 22, 2007

Over the last several months, I’ve been using a couple different flavors of Linux on my IBM/Lenovo X40 laptop, with the idea of writing a review of desktop Linux the way I did for the Apple laptop that I borrowed.  Of course, since I didn’t have to give Linux back in a month, I used it for a greater length of time.

As with the Apple, I didn’t try to become a super-geek in the OS being tested.  The parameters of the test were a knowledgeable Windows user stranded with the unfamiliar OS, sink or swim.

Linux worked pretty well, though there were a couple extremely annoying glitches.  In the final analysis I just preferred Windows XP more, and Windows is the native home for two of my six favorite applications. (Yes, I know it is possible to tuck then into Wine but then I’m not really testing the Linux apps, am I?)

This is only a review-preview.  I just started working on the actual review, which will be ready when it’s ready.  In the meantime, here Information Week’s very pessimistic assessment of Linux’ chances at desktop dominance.

Categories: Geeky, Software
  1. UB3RLinuxG33k
    September 22, 2007 at 22:32 | #1

    Whatever, dude.  Don’t you realize that LINUX R00lz.  M$ dr00lz.  If you disagree, then you are not only stupid, you are not a L33T H4XX0R like me.

  2. September 23, 2007 at 19:28 | #2

    The jackass above does not represent any Linux users, he is just… well… a jackass…

    Anyways, all I have to say DOF is that my fiance (which by no means is a knowledgeable computer user) has fallen in love with Ubuntu and even has troubleshooted issues in it, and fixed those issues. So what does that make you? lol.gif lol.gif lol.gif

  3. EdK
    September 23, 2007 at 20:51 | #3

    I think I detect sarcasm from the UB3RLinuxG33k, webs05.

  4. September 23, 2007 at 21:00 | #4

    Oops, forgot, about the article:

    Point 1: Fragmentation; author is dead on! And I have been barking up the same tree. When you have 20 projects working on the same basic idea, you don’t end up with 20 awesome products. These people need to get together and create 2 or 3 awesomely good products instead. This will do more for Linux than anything else.

    However the author is off base when talking about Adobe and AutoCAD. These companies don’t have to write anything for Linux. There are plenty of Linux coders that would be willing to write for their distros if Adobe and AuotCAD would let them. But these companies refuse. You can hardly blame Linux for this.

    Points 2-4: Can’t argue… I agree, but I will add to point 4, that the biggest thing holding back a ton of users is being able to play games in Linux. The number I have read or heard say this is near 100 (no joke)! And I would imagine the actual number is even greater, maybe a hundred times.

    Point 5: Maybe this guy hasn’t tried to install Ubuntu, but I have yet to encounter someone that couldn’t install it themselves. I admit many people have asked me for help, and I have good advice to give, that a novice Linux user may not know, but the process is incredibly easy. As long as you have the newest version, and if you can’t get that than there is little I can do to help you…

    Point 6: He’s right, as I said, until Linux projects get together and work to make projects better, Linux will not take off.

    Point 7: Again, I got nothing…

    I disagree with him about Dell. I think many M$ users will purchase the Linux machines so they can wipe it clean and start out with their own copy of Windows XP, rather than Vista loaded with crappy trialware. :)

    Linux IMO is a much much much better OS than M$ will ever be. And if my brother is right, it’s because M$ has reached the point of no return. They have cluserf***ed their OS to where they can no longer re-compile it and start over.

    Linux is going to get better and hopefully Linux can start a foundation with a sole purpose to combine projects. And to get programmers to work together to better Linux, rather than create another forum flam war.

    Anyways, my sig is yelling at me to sign off, so I will write more on the next Linux post.

  5. September 23, 2007 at 21:18 | #5

    Webs on Adobe’s refusal to hire Linux coders for their application: “But these companies refuse. You can hardly blame Linux for this.”

    Han Solo, when Millennium Falcon wouldn’t jump to light speed as Imperial Cruiser is bearing down:  “It’s not my fault!!!”

    Doesn’t really matter whose fault it is, if anyone.  It is a reason supporting the thesis of the article whether anyone is to blame or not.

    And he did try to install Ubuntu himself.  Wasn’t at all impressed.

  6. September 24, 2007 at 09:45 | #6

    Making an informed decision to use Windows is better than using Linux because that’s what the cool kids use. It’s all about choice. You tried it, and prefer Windows on balance. If the Ubuntu and Suse people are smart, they will read your review.

  7. September 24, 2007 at 12:26 | #7

    I think I detect sarcasm from the UB3RLinuxG33k, webs05

    I think you’re right! But the sad thing is that there are plenty of Linux geeks running around flamming people that say anything contradictory to their viewpoint. I was being cautious more so than anything. I would like to see the attitude of Linux users change a little.

  8. james old guy
    September 26, 2007 at 20:46 | #8

    The single largest user of MS products is the US Government and the Department of Defense. If you want to do business with DOD or the US Government you have to meet their current standard. I am not saying that either Linux or Apple have better or worse operating systems and software packages but MS was there first. While I think both Apple and Linux have a place they will never take the place of MS. The article does bring up a lot of points that I think for the average computer user are accurate. One of the things I have noticed in the last few years that the opinion of the expert IT departments has less impact on what systems are being used. It might be wonderful that your department of geeks love Linux but the rest of the company lives in a MS world. The company I work for turns over 100 – 150 desktops a year and 8 to 10 servers. The last head of the IT department insisted on pushing the issue on Linux, he is now unemployed.

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