If everything "has a purpose" then what exactly *is* Linux's purpose? Is it
to run desktop workstations? Servers? Supercomputers? PDAs? Web pads?
Wristwatches? Linux has been proven to run well on all these devices, and it
is continuing to push both downwards (towards embedded devices, etc.) and
upwards (towards high-end servers, etc.), while consolidating its position
in the middle (desktop computers, etc.).
While I believe that Linux can be an excellent alternative to M$ Windos, I
must admit that my greatest fear is that it will be "dumbed down" to cater
for ordinary users. This fear, while not totally baseless, is unlikely to
eventuate. There will always be serious computer users, who don't want a
"dumb" OS. There are, and always will be, apps to cater for these people,
especially since these are the people who code most Linux apps anyway. KDE
too "dumb" for you? Use WindowMaker, or BlackBox, or XFce... Think the
default Linux kernel is too bloated? Recompile it and include only what you
need. Linux is the most scalable OS ever to exist, and this scalability is
increasing with time. Linux can be whatever you make it to be. Want it to
run a Windos competitor? With GNOME and KDE it already is. Want it to work at
the enterprise level? Kernel 2.4 supports the high-end processors like the
Itanium in multiprocessor configurations and up to 64GB of RAM. Want it to
run a PDA? Compile a tiny kernel and run something like QT-embedded or
GTK-embedded. And the most important point is that Linux excels in all these
scenarios. See my point?
On Fri, 19 Jan 2001 03:35, Adrian Smith wrote:
> this will be a shock to you all, but i have an opinon here. =)
> i agree with Tom -- although i fully confess Tom is much better at saying
> than I am. probably because i am an obnoxious and arrogant and Tom isn't.
>
> but i can't figure this one out ether, why do you guys care so much about
> converting windoze users? should we make 18 wheelers with automatic stick
> shifts so that everyone who drives a car can drive a semi-truck?
>
> a honda accord has a purpose. a freightliner tractor/trailer rig has a
> purpose. they are not the same purpose.
>
> a hunting rifle has a purpose. a 50mm vulcan cannon has a purpose.
> they are not the same purpose.
>
> windows has a purpose. linux has a purpose.
> they are not the same purpose.
>
> use the right tool for the right job.
>
> if i wanted linux to be like windows, why wouldn't i have just kept using
> windows? i may not be the sharpest crayon in the box, but i just don't
> understand this. no product can be everything to everybody. no product.
> name any one *specific* product that fills every need held by every person
> on the planet.
>
> i think the "must be like windows" concept is a bad thing.
>
> i'll try to stuff a sock in my mouth now. =)
>
>
> Adrian Smith
> 'de telepone dude
> Telecom Dept.
> x 7042
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> >>> Tom Brinkman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 9:29:15 PM 1/17/01 >>>
>
> OK y'all !! This marks the last time I'm gonna start a thread
> starting with a news wire URL, well maybe ;> Actually I thought it was
> a business story that kind'a illustrated Linux's present state, and the
> perception of.
>
> The first full install I did of Mandrake was ~500mb. A current 'du
> -ch /' with my windoze drive umounted is ~4 gigs! ... and I've
> uninstalled a lot of the apps I don't use, and there's linux stuff on
> the windoze drive, not in that count. I like it just the way it is,
> the installer that is. What brandNewbie doesn't install several times
> before they 'settle in' ? ...and for experienced users, it's easy,
> albeit time consuming, to install just what you want. As much or
> little. LM's installation let's YOU choose. I believe there's nothin
> that needs changin. I like the current trend in Mandrake's installs.
>
> As to the 'convert windoze users', and get "linux on everybody's
> desktop' vein this thread has denigrated to. WHO CARES? Seriously, be
> more concerned that Linux continues to attract the people that built it
> to begin with ... the people all over the world that contribute to this
> free, open source, volunteer effort. Without them, Linux is dead.
--
Sridhar Dhanapalan.
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