David Brin wrote: > >> I think YOU miss the point. As I said, you can get >> BASIC on Linux > > Fascinating. Except that it will be absurd for me to > switch to Linux for that purpose. > Why? You did switch from DOS to Windows 3.1, then from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95, then from Windows 98 to Windows XP [I presume :-)], and at each point you _lost_ something, and you had to learn some totally useless crap [things like Registry or how to force Explorer to _show_ the extension of the filenames].
It wouldn't be too difficult to switch to something that is _more_ intuitive than Windows, because you _know_ what the hell the computer is trying to do most of the time. Right now, the installation of Linux requires almost _no_ high-tech knowledge. The only catch is trying to configure some hardware; I lost 3 months with one flavour of Linux, but with a second flavour [Fedora Core] almost everything was configured automatically [the only thing that still does not work is the microphone, but it didn't work with Windoze either] Also, since your kids will be using your computer - where I suppose you keep important files, like preliminary versions of the Books - you may not like the idea of kids trying all kinds of crazy experiments. Unlike Windows 98, where anyone can screw up everything, or Windows XP, where anyone can cause severe damage to the files in the HD, Linux has a _real_ separation of users. I don't bother with what things Bernardo does with his account, because it does not "propagate" to anyone else. [except when he tries to hack my password O:-)] > Moreover, while > Linux will save the world from the horrors of Windows, > it will also set the stage for the Chinese to pull > their infamous SINUX gambit, > Uh? Do the Chinese own something of the Linux Kernel? Is Linus Tovalds the Manchurian puppet? :-) > under which we will all > be paying THEM royalties for operating systems, within > a few years. > AFAIK, China is the greatest piracy industry in the world. I imagine they would have problem in trying to enforce the payment of royalties! BTW, notice that if you insist on using Windows tools to learn BASIC, you probably will lose _everything_ when our Evil Overlord Bill Gates releases the next version of Windows: each new version has the purpose of making all previous stuff obsolete. [and remember that by 2007 there will no longer be any Windows or Bill Gates! :-)] Alberto Monteiro _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
