As I just pointed out on a local discussion that was in the middle of a Windows vs. Mac debate: Linux is for technicians. Windows is for management and accountants. Macs are for artists.
All three can do some serious number-crunching. But Linux, especially in the command-line mode, is best described as "user-antagonistic". I happen to like command-line operation for certain tasks; it's actually faster than waiting for a graphic environment to open, especially if I'm doing something like network setups or troubleshooting. And I've been doing it long enough that I can (and probably have) worked through network problems in my sleep. Others aren't as comfortable typing in long, arcane strings of commands, options and arguments. For them, there are graphics-oriented packages that do the same job. We now return to our regularly-scheduled forum, already in progress... -- 73 de N5ILN/6 Alan On 7/10/2012 4:14 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: > One of the comments attributed to Kernigan or Ritchie, forget which, > was "If I had known that it [Unix] was going to become a widely used > system instead of the narrowly targeted in-house tool first imagined, > I would have named programs and functions more carefully. I was just > having fun with the names." > > Unix-ish systems like Linux are remarkably non-intuitive, until you > have learned it. It does not extend off anything else that is well > known. It does not suit appliance-user level OS purchasers. I have > used Unix and variants since 1973, and have watched 10 struggle to get > going for every 1 who got it easy. The mental mindset of a person > commonly called a "computer geek" is very useful for learning Unix > variants. > > There are many advantages to the Unix system. The only more scalable > system on the planet is IBM's mainframe ZOS, and even that now has a > complete "Unix services subsystem" as an integrated part of the OS. > Lot of huge stuff simply could not be done without it, including apps > I managed at SAS Institute before I retired. > > BUT, it will never be the general population OS, and for good reason. > That doesn't make Linux good or bad, or OSX good or bad. But a Linux > K3 utility will never be the mainline device as is the Windows > version. But the Linux version is likely to be a favorite of a > professional who uses some Unix variant all day, and is just thinking > in that frame of reference when he gets home. > > 73, Guy. > > On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 6:37 PM, Bill K9YEQ <[email protected]> wrote: >> Don, >> >> I couldn't echo your comments more perfectly! I run it for fun but it is >> only an email handler and toy for me... besides I haven't the time. >> >> 73, >> Bill >> K9YEQ >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> >> >> Let me give one OT "RANT", and then I will shut up on this subject. >> Suffice it to say that I have been extremely disappointing in all Linux >> distributions because of the lack of any organized support fort the users - >> the attitude seems to be "if you don't already understand the nuances of >> Linux, we will shame your questions and be very unhelpful. >> Check out the various forums and "FAQ" lists to verify this attitude. >> >> I have tried Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Debian in the recent past, and have >> found that unless you wish to spend a loot of time in "geekdom study", the >> terms are cryptic and not logical acronyms, and the user groups are useless >> unless one is already fluent in their brand of "geek-speak". >> Yes, I am computer fluent in Windows and peer-to-peer networking - I have >> worked with PCs since the Apple II days and the IBM PC DOS systems are no >> stranger to me, but the Linux groups are just not helpful at all to those >> who do not understand their peculiar cryptic language. >> >> In other words, there are no clear and concise instructions for Linux. >> The "Man pages" are supposedly the answer, but they offer geek-speak >> explanations for those who are not initiated and expert into the Linux brand >> of geekdom. >> >> I know, there are many who will disagree, but you will have to point me to a >> (non-on-line) manual that I can use as a reference book and is similar to >> those like "Mastering Windows XP Professional", Linux in any distro is just >> not going to "make the grade". >> >> For those who simply want to do email and surf the web, Ubuntu is great, as >> is Linux Mint - it has all the tools those users need, but for those who >> want to do such things as network a Linux workstation into a Windows peer to >> peer network, there is just not enough explicit information about how to set >> it up and make it work. Windows peer-to-peer is native, but with Linux, it >> is a complex "add-on" that I have not been able to master after several >> attempts with Samba configuration. >> >> I once thought Linux would be my road to salvation without buying >> Windows7 for 7 computers on my home network, but it just does not work >> consistently, so I guess I will have to spend the upgrade fees for Win7. >> >> So until Linux gives up its superior "I am geek and I want it to stay that >> way" attitude, it will never fly properly. Ubuntu and Mint have come a long >> way in making installation easier, but there is a long way to go in >> usability. >> >> Linux will also have to give up using "cute" names for applications to make >> sense to users - for instance, Photoshop has a relevant name for photo >> editing, but GIMP might mean something like "geeky image manipulating >> program" to Linux fans, but it has no obvioous meaning to the average user. >> >> Until Linux "gets real" instead of continuing to be "geeky", it will never >> fly - meaningful names are important - at least that is my opinion >> - I equate abstract naming to "geeky", and by saying "geeky" it means >> exclusionary, and not to be understood by the general user. And that is >> what is wrong with Linux. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >> On 7/9/2012 11:38 PM, Dick Roth wrote: >>> FYI...to get to manage users and groups one needs to install >>> "gnome-system-tools". This can be done via the gui Ubuntu Software >>> Center. Once installed you can get to Users and Groups through the >>> Dash. >> ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
