I was reading through some posts. And I was wondering about this. Well maybe this is more of a statement. I don't know. I am just getting really frustrated with the Microsoft dominated world, and need to vent before I explode.

Microsoft was upset because some of the source codes where revealed over the internet. They where worried that it would cause problems with hackers, viruses and so on. Now Linux is open source. Everyone can see it. Microsoft hides theres and they have an endless number of viruses and so on. Linux shows everyone theirs and, well, there isn't that much of a problem, not even close. So what does this say about Microsoft and Linux? Things Linux users already know, and in some ways Microsoft indirectly confirms it.

I wasn't sure if this has been mentioned in the same way. I have been looking through posts here for about three hours. So if I am being repetitive, I apologize. But I am curious why, actually, how someone can say that Linux is inferior, or full of headaches and problems. I leave my computer on for days or weeks. I have a dsl connection with no firewall, spyware detectors, etc. and I haven't really used a virus scan, though I will be soon. I couldn't even dream of doing that with MSWin. I needed so many programs to keep MSWindows safe it was pathetic and to top it off, IT DIDN'T HELP ANYWAYS.


Linux is the future. Once more companies get involved and support Linux, the more affordable desktop computers that have Linux installed, then that will be the beginning of the end for Microsoft(granted it will take time,), but like all things that die, it will lash out severely, like it has already started doing.



Webwolf

I would still turn on that firewall. Linux may lack the vast number of viruses but it still has occasional vulnerabilities that could put you at risk.

Microsoft, and the rest of the closed-source world, regularly prove the open-source model works. Every news report of a new worm shows how much easier it is to exploit weaknesses that nobody knows about because of the shroud of secrecy that is closed-source software. Every time a software maker announces a new extortion, I mean licensing scheme, it shows their customers just who is in control of their networks.

People say that Linux is inferior to Windows for a couple of reasons.
1. They haven't experienced Linux enough to make a valid statement and prefer FUD to silence.
2. They are hard-core gamers, which IMO Windows is still the superior OS due to lack of development by game manufacturers.
3. They represent a failed software company that has changed its business model to suing people for a living and whoring themselves to monopolists.

Always remember the old adage "The right tool for the right job.". Windows is perfect for people who want their computer to act like a toaster, and don't mind reinstalling at the first sign of trouble.

Windows does make a nice toaster out of a computer, lol. I use to like installing windows and trouble shooting it. So many people that used MSwin computers had a lot of problems and where paying a lot of money to get really basic things done to fix it. So I started learning things to help them without charging. I am talking about friends and family. But after awhile of the same problems happening, no matter what I did, I really started getting tired of it. You can't fix MSWindows, you can only help it to survive for a little while longer before the whole thing goes to hell.

I will be using a firewall, eventually. But one of the things I am doing is experimenting. I have four Linux distros on my computer. Mandrake 10.0, SuSE 9.1 Personal, Cobind Desktop 0.2 beta, LormaLinux 5 RC1. And I have not had any real protection on this computer at all. Why? Because MSWindows users that have firewalls, anti-virus software, anti-spyware programs and so on, are still bombed with a lot of s***. So when I talk with them, I mention that there are some security issues with Linux every now and then but since installing it I have not had any programs like this, I am online almost 24/7(the computer stays on when I go to sleep, except for the monitor,) and I have no problems whats so ever. So I ask them, which OS is the best? I want to see how long I can go before I have any real problems, and so far Linux has proven itself. I have the important stuff backed up on partitions and burnt on cd's anyways.


Webwolf

webwolf70: i have had a number of problems with linux, all of them tho happen during installs/configuration .. once i get something up and running like its supposed to, i have little (at most) problems

and i don't think you need to worry about getting a virus checker for linux, as most of them i hear don't even check for linux viruses!

yeah and most of us will be senior citizens by then. Microsoft has already extended support for Windows 98 which they were going to kill but decided to keep supporting with the threat of LInux looking over them. Companies are comfortable with MS and switching to Linux is a cost in investment not of the OS but of the many applications that run on the OS and migrating over to Linux would cost time and money. These companies have long term commitments to MS based apps. Think about your ABC corporation. OK now they make the switch to Linux: but which distro? Ok now you have to have an IT department to migrate everything and we're not talking servers we're talking desktop PC's too and to make sure theyre all up and functioning properly. Okay now the apps. Open or Star Office? And thats just the beginning... you just lost time and money right there. Better to keep your MS PC's and hire a few security experts to keep the network locked down.

Not just 98. They also recently (?) extended support for NT4.0. So it's fairly obvious that people just aren't upgrading their systems, which to me is an indication that all of M$ marketing hype is failing, which can only be a good thing.

jaz: true, but many new businesses would save money by using linux from that start

no doubt...but right now I think there would be too much frustration even with being a new company implementing a network thats all Linux. And the bottom line is its all about the software that runs on it. They may save money but what does that benefit them if they cant run PeachTree, Everest , ACCPAC, MAS or even Quickbooks. Some of these type of programs will run on Unix servers but not desktops. There are some Linux alternatives to some of these Im sure but to be totally honest alot of them just arent as good. Even the free Office suite isn't as good to me as MSOffice. Some will swear and argue that its as good or better but lets be real and quit trying to disdain all things made in Redmond. Some products, even though they are free, just arent as good. Give me Excel any day...

It seems to me the people I have talked to off-line about desktop pc's are getting more and more frustrated with MSWindows. They have gone from 3.1 to XP and most people like Win95, 98, 98SE better then the rest. They are more satisfied with XP over ME but over all they are unhappy, but see no other alternative. Linux is great but some people, like a famly member of mine who is a real estate agent, just wants a computer to work on at home without having it freeze up, kick them off or having to learn a lot about things to keep it running. For them it is a tool they need to help them with there job, not to mention relaxing and playing a game or two on or off line.

I have been telling people that if they switch to Linux, it is much easier to use then it was several years ago. It is more stable and reliable. If they decide to switch then I will help them, for free, keep it running and share what I learn with them, slowly so they don't burn out.

I now have Linux, several flavors , on both of my computers. My girlfriend will have one Linux distro, Mandrake or SuSE, on her computer that hooks to the internet, the other one will have both Linux and Windows XP on it. Her kids have a lot of wingames, and her son is a teenager who loves games and right now there is not many linux based games like there is for MSWindows. He loves computers, internet and technology. I will teach him what I can about Linux.

Also many are starting to feel the crunch in todays economy. Here in the US and around the world. The war on terroism and other things is costly and there are a lot cut backs, there are also job loses and so on. So having to pay so much for Microsoft is starting to get costly for the average person.

I think in a couple of years Linux will really show its muscle. And people will start turning more and more to it. It is a war of a sort. More financial then anything else. Once people realize that they can hire people to help with linux and take care of things(just like they did with MSWindows,) but at a much better cost(less problems and headaches that are associated with MSWindows,) then that will help. Not to mention that the more momentum Linux gains with Desktop, servers, workstations, etc, the more software companies will start catching up. Right now I think they are scared of the whole open source movement. Afraid it will cost them in the long run, rather then them making a profit. And for the record I love open source, I love free software but software companies have a right to make money(with worthwhile products anyways.) I Have the downloaded version of Mandrake 10.0 Official. I will be buying it next month, maybe joining the members club. I have been considering buying a third computer(Microtel,) With Lindows on it and buying the next SuSE version. WHY? It is already free? Because I support what I like, if companies treat me well and with respect I will return it.


Webwolf

jaz: that is all accounting software!, if new businesses hired people that can do accounting instead of hiring people that can use accounting software to tell them what to do, then there would be no problem

seems to me like most businesses then are expecting computers to tell them what to do, and not telling computers what to do. windows is prefect if you want to be told how to run a business or your life

linux is meant to operate a computer, not have a computer operate you,... people just have to learn how to do things without computers as most cant use a computer at all

if a company wants to use computers they should expect that people CAN learn to operate any program they get, and still preform there job... after all, as computer change so rapidly, the only people who will actually be able to use computers will be the ones with enough common sense to know how to read manuals, and documentations... and be able to adapt to any computer environment.

the people that cant will be using windows or some linux-for-people-that-cant-think-and-need-help-just-to-turn-on-a-computer distro

I know a local company that switched after a big virus hit them. They had up to date anti-virus but somehow they got it anyway. I had mentioned to them during a conversation several months before, during another virus wave, that I use Linux and had no problems at all with viruses. I think I planted a seed and the virus was like water and ferilizer.

I talked to a guy that admins the servers and he said it was tough to learn becasue things were so different. The switch cost money because he went to a Linux class to learn the how tos and such but it will save them money in the long run. I think he said Linux would pay off after about a year or so.

They have a lot of servers though. They still use windoze for the desktop but they are small and just a bit better than a dumb terminal.

They were down for a while when the virus hit. They had several hundred employees sitting around doing nothing while they fixed the system. They had had this happen a few times before. The last virus wave was no problem. Even the big boss said that was priceless. I don't know who made the decision to switch but I got the impression they were glad they did.

I think people are getting the message. I also think it shows up a lot when another virus wave hits. They see people using Linux survive with no damage and they are scrambling to fix theirs and wringing their hands when they hear of one coming. It is sort of like knowing a bullet is coming but not knowing where it is coming from or when it will hit.

Me, I LOVE Linux. I HATE windoze. Notice how I capitolize Linux but don't windoze. You have to earn respect from me.

Later

I think that alot of companies are slow to moving over to linux becuase of third party vendors. I work in a casino and I have been trying my hardest to get them to allow me to install on linux machine. I am still new to linux but I have already enjoyed the freedom. It is great that I do not have to be bound to Microsoft's bs. I would really enjoy to be in a linux enviornment but right now I guess I will have to wait.

Well the way I get people to switch is to wait until another round of virus' comes around. Then show them they don't work on Linux. I put icing on the cake when I tell them it can run for months, even years, with no reboot or slowdowns, and it is cheaper to boot. I have ran mine for weeks on several occasions, but when the lighting gets so bad that it knocks the pictures off the wall, it's time to shutdown and unplug EVERYTHING, modem and all.

I have a UPS and surge protectors but I'm not taking that kind of chance.

I think that when more people start to use Linux, then even more will start. It seems to come in squirts. A lot of growth, then a slow down, then another little increase. I suspect that Linux will be getting there in the next 10 years or so. It will take a while though. Unless M$ really makes some serious improvements, which I doubt.

My $.02 worth for today. Got to go mow my neighbors grass.

Later

Windows is great OS if and only if it is used like it originally meant to be used.
That is as a personal desktop computer with no inter-net or networking.