A standard Windows desktop is useless - My point of view.
Posted 01-04-2010 at 06:51 AM by rich_c
I read a blog post recently with the above title. While I agree with the sentiment, the detail of the post doesn't cover my reasons for thinking the standard Windows desktop is useless. they are as follows.
Take, for example, any out of the box Windows install as compared to any of the top Linux distros from DistroWatch. Install them pretty much as default and apply any updates. Now which do you suppose you could immediately start working with? I'll allow myself one negative Windows point and then move on to where the Linux distros win. Windows cannot safely connect to the internet without first buying or downloading an anti-malware suite. There, that's out of the way.
Where Linux wins is the care the developer(s) have taken to include as many useful applications as will fit on an install CD/DVD. Typically, you have a rich array of office, multimedia and network apps as well as a good handful of games to keep you amused. Just have a look at the details of those top distros in DistroWatch and cast your eye down the list of included packages. I guess the Live CD model has a lot to do with this. A Linux distro is quite often expected to provide useful apps before it's even been installed. The useless Windows desktop can't even try to start to compete with this level of practicality.
Take, for example, any out of the box Windows install as compared to any of the top Linux distros from DistroWatch. Install them pretty much as default and apply any updates. Now which do you suppose you could immediately start working with? I'll allow myself one negative Windows point and then move on to where the Linux distros win. Windows cannot safely connect to the internet without first buying or downloading an anti-malware suite. There, that's out of the way.
Where Linux wins is the care the developer(s) have taken to include as many useful applications as will fit on an install CD/DVD. Typically, you have a rich array of office, multimedia and network apps as well as a good handful of games to keep you amused. Just have a look at the details of those top distros in DistroWatch and cast your eye down the list of included packages. I guess the Live CD model has a lot to do with this. A Linux distro is quite often expected to provide useful apps before it's even been installed. The useless Windows desktop can't even try to start to compete with this level of practicality.
Total Comments 4
Comments
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i'm glad i don't really need desktop system
Posted 01-04-2010 at 08:19 AM by Web31337 
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Windows is actually starting to come with more comparable programs. For example, word pad can at least view the text in many document formats (through the format may be gimped). Paint is more useful. Windows media center actually works. Networking works. Support is being added for more default drivers. The Ultimate super deluxe absolute fullest version contains FTP and HTTP servers. *shudders* and desktop apps....
I'm not advocating the use of Windows 7 or anything... But it is more useful than before... Not to mention, they still got that whole lockdown on the computer gaming market.
Either way, I'm still going to use Slackware for everything.Posted 01-09-2010 at 01:55 AM by lumak
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lol! wordpad, IIS, paint were added from NT or 95. wordpad is not much more useful than notepad. networking had worked before. desktop apps? you mean desktop icons? or what? o_0
is that piece of sh^Wsoftware can really be named software?
nothing's changed. nothing will be. nothing to expect.
unix ftw.Posted 01-09-2010 at 03:34 AM by Web31337
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Oh yes, the out-of-the box Windows is useful. You can start immediately using the 60-day trial of Office, so you have plenty of time to find a pirated version. The single most important program in Windows, the virus scanner, is there as well, and it starts working immediately so you have time to find a free alternative as well.
jlinkelsPosted 05-24-2010 at 06:35 PM by jlinkels
