The merits of open source software...as argued by others

[onefixedstar]

I spent a good chunk of time last weekend creating a new XP profile for myself to fix my task bar. And it worked...for just over a week. It's no longer working. I am not impressed.

Comments

[semiotic-trader.livejournal.com]

All sorts of Linux distros are "working on the desktop market," and none of them have got it right. From what I understand, RedHat and SuSE are probably closest, but when it comes down to it, Linux is still the sort of operating system that needs an "administrator."

That being said, I plan on playing with some Linux distro or another once I have time (i.e., when the thesis is done and I've recovered) and can get my other computer fixed.

And I'm typing this in Mozilla: tabs, indiscriminate pop-up blocking (which pop-ups do you want?) and very few sites that don't support it, at least among the sites I visit.

[onefixedstar.livejournal.com]

Right--Linux is something that you need time to play with, even apart from the learning curve of a new OS. I have not had such time over the past two years. Maybe I'll this summer.

As for the limitations of Firefox: I want the pop-up that lets me use my university's web-based email, and I want to be able to access online banking. Maybe I should try Mozilla instead and see if that's any different.

thoughts about getting linux

[(Anonymous)]

Some ramblings (thx rinjava for sidetracking me from working!) :

There are no self-administering systems. What makes Windoze/MacOS seem easier is:

a) restricted options
b) prior experience
c) GUIs and wizards

Linux is based on a different way of using your computer, where users get to choose what's best for them instead of product managers. I think it's fair to say that most proprietary software companies are more interested in what's best for them than what's best for you.

- CPwr

Re: thoughts about getting linux

[semiotic-trader.livejournal.com]

The only thing I'll give you 100% there is "prior experience." But I think I'm willing to put in some time on learning a new system.

For GUIs and wizards, I don't see any reason why a given Linux distro couldn't incorporate these. For example, the last time I tried to play with a Linux distro (I don't remember which one), I had to know all sorts of mumbo-jumbo about monitor refresh rates and so on to get XFree86 working.

And restricted options, of course, are the biggest option. Unless you're a hacker to begin with, most people want their options restricted. I don't have the time or the wherewithal to customize my entire system; I want a system that works out-of-the-box that I can then go and tweak later, as I gradually learn new things. I recognize that there is a segment of the community that would say, "then Linux isn't for you," but I don't think you're one of them, CPwr. Maybe I'm wrong?

I'm hoping that both of these aspects have been dealt with in more recent and more highly-developed distros. That's why I'm willing to give it another go, once I have some time. Oh, and I don't necessarily expect to get all these things for free-as-in-beer, either.

I also realize that I'm just rehashing the larger Linux community's constant bickering about why the OS isn't ready for Joe Blow user, but just because it's been said a million times doesn't make it less true.