I found your post very interesting. Here is my 2 cents if you don't mind an
outside opinion.
First, I never gave a second look at a Mac. First off at that time APPLE was
on the bottom and looking like it wanted a bullet to put it out of its
misery. My first PC was a HP7170 Pavilion. I was amazed on its features, of
course it had only a 133Mhz Intel, 2GB harddrive but for a first timer I was
impressed. It had Windows95 which I had heard about but never really gave a
look since at that time the PCs were still too expensive. That Pavilion also
ran HP's own interface or Operating System. Needless, to say it was a joke
and I uninstalled it since I didn't see any point in keeping something I
didn't want.
Then came Windows98, 98SE, and currently Millenium Edition. I am not
imressed but I hae enjoyed software so much that I could care less of the
comments MS haters have to say about Windows, and every variation of the
name.
Two years ago I heard about Linux for a consumer easy to use version. I went
and bought the Corel Linux as at that time I heard it was the easiest to
use. I have since then learn that every loyalist of a Linux flavor believes
their favorite is the easiest and best. Needless to say it wasn't easy and I
never could get past the splash window.
Then came Linux Mandrake's Linux for Windows. I have heard the remarks from
many of you about how inferior or a bad choice. Frankly, it is not and gives
a raw newbie and idea of what Linux Mandrake can offer and is all about. I
agree it is not for replacing or migrating away from Windows but it is an
easy taste by comparison of all Linux distros. I went the way of Linux 7.2
full distribution and partition my drive to house both Millenium Edition and
Mandrake. I am happy with both and really wish there was a way to have all
three OS on one machine(Windows, Linux, Macintosh) and switch through with
ease. There are software but far too much complication at this time.
I enjoy Linux and I have spent hours learning and playing with it, but
frankly and with all due respect to others in this forum and lovers of
Linux, you just can't really get any work done with it. I am either having
to install patches or make adjustments every time I need to do something or
want to do something. Thats the real flaw with Linux not support or
application choice but you just don't boot up click click and get something
to work tha easily and quickly. Many of you have provided so much help to us
newbies but your past experience and with some of you with a formal UNIX
education go through command lines as if they were just plain englsih(or
perspective native language). Personally, I don't get excited and find
command lines boring and unnecessary. With a GUI it is point and click and
so on. It is not lazy or an aide to the stupid. Frankly, not everyone who
has a car wants a manual transmission or work on it to make the adjustment
so that car runs the way the owner wants it to.
The future for Linux is in Limbo, personal opinion, and it has nothing to do
with Microsoft or the ignorant comments on Linux and the Open Source. There
is no standard and most hardcore users like that but there is such chaos
over such a system. Sometimes hearing hardcore Linux users is like listening
to the hippies of the Hasbury, if I spelled that correctly, days talk about
the movement of love and peace and taking down the system and powers that
be. Most are probably drivng BMW's and hold stock options with a large
corporation about now. I know for the most part Linux for the the average
consumer is still so so very young. The Open Source community has done
wonders and have worked to bring Linux to the common user who is not
interested in getting under the hood of their OS.
I guess that is the point. Why does Microsoft have the largest share of the
market, aside from the monopoly? The vast majority don't care. They just
want point, click and go. I have read Linux newbies who have given Linux
Mandrake a shot and have decided to go back to Windows and maybe Mac if I
recall correctly. The first comment I hear is "let the Windoze baby go back
to their mindless....". Its a choice and at least there is a choice now.
I love Linux but I can honestly say as unbias observer Linux is not for the
common person. So far all the usrs I have encountered are techies, wanna be
techies, hackers(as in enjoyers of software and not a cracker) and those
with a formal UNIX education. As Linux moves to become easier I think it is
losing that thing that has given the rise and recognition. Still though
evolution has a funny way of throwing a monkey wrench into the mix now and
then. I am curious to see what the future holds for all OS.
Again just my two cents I invite others opinion but not insults.
Thank you
