----- Original Message ----- From: "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Brin-L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2002 5:32 PM Subject: Re: Win 98 Registry (Long)
> On Sat, Feb 16, 2002 at 04:43:49PM -0600, The Fool wrote: > > > Linux is to difficult for the average person to work with. Only Us > > geeks can get a handle on it. > > I disagree with this statement as written. It strikes me as rather > elitist. The implication is that some people have an ability (that > most people lack) that allows them to better comprehend and operate > computers. > > I think that usually a person can start to get something done in Windows > by reading less (or no) documentation than is necessary for getting a > similar thing done in Linux. But after reading sufficient documentation > to learn how to do something in Linux, the Linux user will usually > accomplish the same tasks faster in Linux than in Windows, will have > fewer inexplicable problems with Linux, and has the option of continuing > to learn more about the system and have more control over the system > without hitting the "hard ceiling" that happens with Windows after a > certain level is reached. > > Naturally, people are different. Some people aren't interested in > learning about computers or advancing their mastery over their > computers. These people will certainly prefer Windows. But anyone who is > willing to read and learn a few things can start working with Linux and > obtain the benefits I mentioned above. > > > It will never displace Microsoft on the home PC. > > Never is a long time. It is certainly possible to clothe *NIX in > something that makes it similar to Windows (look at Mac OS X). This > could, and I predict will, happen to Linux eventually. That would be a > good thing. It would allow people to use a free OS in a way similar to > Windows if they wished, while it would allow the curious and ambitious > to learn about and obtain mastery over their computer by going deeper > into the way things work. In other words, people would have a choice. > Well, I think I'm in an interesting position to write on this. I've been working with a variety of operating systems for over 25 years now. My first, was JCL on the IBM mainframe at Argonne national laboratories in the spring of '75. I've run with the Univac system in the late '70s, with the Perkin Elmer system, with Perkin Elmer's operating system, and with numerous systems that I've learned and forgotten. My absolute favorite for the mainframe/mini-computer was VMS. In '89 I got a DECstation, which ran a version of Unix. I used that for about 5 years and really didn't like it. I adapted, sure, but I never liked it. My comment after working with it for about 6 years was that Unix was invented by systems programmers to let users know who was boss. I owned a PC back in '83, so I've worked with DOS for a while. When I was given an NT box in around '94, I considered it an upgrade from my UNIX box. I'm now working with both Red Hat Linux box and a PC box. I'm not at all impressed with the tools I have for Linux. Yes, I could learn more, but its about my 15th operating system to learn and I'm a bit tired of memorizing different sets of commands. Plus, Linux is a pain to use because upgrades to the computer can cause complicated software to stop working. I don't have to deal with that directly, but I've seen it. I write software that is incorporated into a field logging system. Certain features come and go as both the software and hardware are upgraded. Features that become essential parts of software go away when a faster box is bought. A small software group has to spend its top talent to rewrite their software around the changes. The manager/guru of the group has nothing but dirty words for Linux. Microsoft has many features that I don't like. But, it is easier to work with than any version of Unix I've worked with. Thinking about it, I think I know why. Its less magical. One can not only find manuals, one can putz around and get the right solution. With Unix, its a matter of knowing the magic words. I've bought books on Unix, and they do not have all the magic words. I really don't want to spend thousands on a library. Bring back an icon version of VSM to compete with M$ I say. :-) Dan M.
