Comments on: The Law and the Linux Desktop http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/ Open Source, Open Standards Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:31:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: registerhater http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4227 registerhater Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4227 d d

]]> By: registerhater http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4228 registerhater Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4228 ugh, that didn't make it through...<br /> <br /> i meant to say, why do you have to keep spreading FUD? it's shit like this that makes me not want to read linux-mag any more. ugh, that didn’t make it through…

i meant to say, why do you have to keep spreading FUD? it’s shit like this that makes me not want to read linux-mag any more.

]]> By: thomaseo http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4229 thomaseo Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4229 utterly irrelevant drivel...<br /> anyone who uses linux knows that this is irrelevant, so obviously aimed at scaring people away from using it. FUD. utterly irrelevant drivel…
anyone who uses linux knows that this is irrelevant, so obviously aimed at scaring people away from using it. FUD.

]]> By: lowell1947 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4230 lowell1947 Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4230 Nonsense. What is this guy doing writing for a Linux Mag. He should be working for BG. Nonsense. What is this guy doing writing for a Linux Mag. He should be working for BG.

]]> By: dwilde1 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4231 dwilde1 Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4231 While I disagree with a few of his comments as regards Linux as Linux succeeding, issues of proprietary anything will deter companies like Dell from succeeding in selling Linux desktops. All of his comments are concerns Dell and other companies are weighing. Microsoft is already making 800-lb gorilla moves to counter the Ubuntu PC release, and Dell can';t afford not to listen. Whether Dell continues to move forward in the Linux direction will depend on how these issues play out. DON'T count the fat gorilla out yet, guys. While I disagree with a few of his comments as regards Linux as Linux succeeding, issues of proprietary anything will deter companies like Dell from succeeding in selling Linux desktops. All of his comments are concerns Dell and other companies are weighing. Microsoft is already making 800-lb gorilla moves to counter the Ubuntu PC release, and Dell can’;t afford not to listen. Whether Dell continues to move forward in the Linux direction will depend on how these issues play out. DON’T count the fat gorilla out yet, guys.

]]> By: dwilde1 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4232 dwilde1 Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4232 While I disagree with a few of his comments as regards Linux as Linux succeeding, issues of proprietary anything will deter companies like Dell from succeeding in selling Linux desktops. All of his comments are concerns Dell and other companies are weighing. M$ is already making 800-lb gorilla moves to counter the Ubuntu PC release, and Dell can't afford not to listen. Whether Dell continues to move forward in the Linux direction will depend on how these issues play out. DON'T count the fat gorilla out yet, guys. While I disagree with a few of his comments as regards Linux as Linux succeeding, issues of proprietary anything will deter companies like Dell from succeeding in selling Linux desktops. All of his comments are concerns Dell and other companies are weighing. M$ is already making 800-lb gorilla moves to counter the Ubuntu PC release, and Dell can’t afford not to listen. Whether Dell continues to move forward in the Linux direction will depend on how these issues play out. DON’T count the fat gorilla out yet, guys.

]]> By: clydesdale http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4233 clydesdale Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4233 Both my laptop and home desktop are dual boot Linux (Ubuntu 6.10). I have to say that the statment: "If you’re an Average Joe (like me), the answer is probably 'No.' " is not worded strongly enough. With the hours, turned into days, that I have had to waste getting Linux to run on my two computers, rather than earning money, I could have purchased the latest Windows and all of the applications that I will ever need. Linux is almost at the Windows 3.1 stage of maturity.<br /> <br /> I started out using Redhat on my laptop (paid $90 for support as well! - Of course they simply told me "not supported" each time I had an issue). I couldn't use my built-in wireless network adapter without a WINDOWS driver to wrap around (Redhat is WONDERFUL as long as you have Windows to make it work). The display resolution wouldn't work either (screen repeated itself part way across). After switching to Ubuntu, and about 8 more hours later, I can use my laptop with Linux. Oh, but I can't play mp3 files. Same with my desktop regarding mp3s and screen resolution. Ugh!!!<br /> <br /> Yes, "probably" is not the right word for "is Linux ready." DEFINATELY NOT is accurate. Linux is still only for the experts with a LOT of free time on their hands. And, YES, I am a Linux fan. I am also realistic about what it can and can't do (Linus does crash) vs. what Windows can and can't do. Both my laptop and home desktop are dual boot Linux (Ubuntu 6.10). I have to say that the statment: “If you’re an Average Joe (like me), the answer is probably ‘No.’ ” is not worded strongly enough. With the hours, turned into days, that I have had to waste getting Linux to run on my two computers, rather than earning money, I could have purchased the latest Windows and all of the applications that I will ever need. Linux is almost at the Windows 3.1 stage of maturity.

I started out using Redhat on my laptop (paid $90 for support as well! – Of course they simply told me “not supported” each time I had an issue). I couldn’t use my built-in wireless network adapter without a WINDOWS driver to wrap around (Redhat is WONDERFUL as long as you have Windows to make it work). The display resolution wouldn’t work either (screen repeated itself part way across). After switching to Ubuntu, and about 8 more hours later, I can use my laptop with Linux. Oh, but I can’t play mp3 files. Same with my desktop regarding mp3s and screen resolution. Ugh!!!

Yes, “probably” is not the right word for “is Linux ready.” DEFINATELY NOT is accurate. Linux is still only for the experts with a LOT of free time on their hands. And, YES, I am a Linux fan. I am also realistic about what it can and can’t do (Linus does crash) vs. what Windows can and can’t do.

]]> By: handytech http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4234 handytech Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4234 In my opinion, Linux will always be Linux and Windows will always be Windows. Afterall, let's step back here a second. Linux was not originally designed with a GUI. While I'm sure that the GUI's could really use some major improvements, the core of Linux remains a reliable and secure piece of software.<br /> <br /> Trying to sell Linux with pre-packaged pc's will never make sense, because you can just as easially download it and run a dual-boot. Why would you buy a brand new system with a piece of software that's redially available? Tell me why that makes sense? Who is Dell trying to appeal to?<br /> <br /> Linux will always remain Linux<br /> Windows will keep morphing itself until we simply can't recognize it anymore.<br /> <br /> It takes a lot to change. In my opinion, Linux will always be Linux and Windows will always be Windows. Afterall, let’s step back here a second. Linux was not originally designed with a GUI. While I’m sure that the GUI’s could really use some major improvements, the core of Linux remains a reliable and secure piece of software.

Trying to sell Linux with pre-packaged pc’s will never make sense, because you can just as easially download it and run a dual-boot. Why would you buy a brand new system with a piece of software that’s redially available? Tell me why that makes sense? Who is Dell trying to appeal to?

Linux will always remain Linux
Windows will keep morphing itself until we simply can’t recognize it anymore.

It takes a lot to change.

]]> By: garnels http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4235 garnels Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4235 The font issue was fixed prior to the date of your article here. https://www.redhat.com/promo/fonts/<br /> <br /> In fact, you wrote an article about it last month.<br /> http://www.press.redhat.com/2007/05/09/liberation-fonts/<br /> <br /> Were you faced with a word count requirement in this current article which caused you to misrepresent the font issue? The font issue was fixed prior to the date of your article here. https://www.redhat.com/promo/fonts/

In fact, you wrote an article about it last month.
http://www.press.redhat.com/2007/05/09/liberation-fonts/

Were you faced with a word count requirement in this current article which caused you to misrepresent the font issue?

]]> By: 1sy8 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4236 1sy8 Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4236 Gar Nelson> the Red Hat column came after this one even if it's only now that it's on the website.<br /> <br /> For the rest, the biggest stumble for me is the hardware specifications device makers keep non-disclosed. Remember, that was one of the reason Stallman went into this whole stuff in the first place.<br /> <br /> In fact, it would be enough even if they never open sourced their drivers. Gar Nelson> the Red Hat column came after this one even if it’s only now that it’s on the website.

For the rest, the biggest stumble for me is the hardware specifications device makers keep non-disclosed. Remember, that was one of the reason Stallman went into this whole stuff in the first place.

In fact, it would be enough even if they never open sourced their drivers.

]]> By: rgb@phy.duke.edu http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4237 rgb@phy.duke.edu Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4237 Actually, many of the issues in this article are dead on the money. Anybody who has read what I write about MS knows that I am far, far from being a MS lover, but it isn't FUD to note that e.g. broadcom wireless hardware requires major, complex surgery to get to work under Linux, that sound cards and video cards (to a lesser extent) have similar issues, and so on. Especially on laptops. I just purchased a lenovo laptop (C3000 N100) and although the machines itself is lovely, I cannot get the broadcom to work native even with firmware surgery from WinXX drivers and the sound card doesn't look like it will work at all. To get the monitor to work I had to use the latest 915resolution tool. <br /> <br /> I'm a linux/unix expert and CAN make it through all of these problems (however much I still think of them as being major PITAs) but most users or buyers of systems cannot and will not be able to resolve this kind of thing. And yeah, the codec issue is another major pain of a different kind -- one that nailed MS itself to the tune of a billion dollar judgement against them over MP3s. Not trivial issues and in any way ignorable, but when my own son has a music performance on the internet radio, for better or worse the only way I can listen is by finding a tool that has the right codecs installed, and such tools don't exist for linux for many of the alternatives.<br /> <br /> There is a major advantage to having a company like Dell sell systems with linux. Any linux, as noted. If it is sold with linux, it has linux-compatible hardware. If it has linux-compatible hardware, you can reinstall it to run whatever linux distro you like and it will still work. It forces the vendor to consider this when configuring the hardware, and encourages the vendor to make lin-friendly choices when choosing between (say) Intel and Broadcom wireless.<br /> <br /> Linux is perfectly lovely at the desktop now, IMO, for nearly anything that one needs to do, on systems that have hardware it supports, and provided that you don't want to watch movies, play WMA or MP3 music feeds (although one can manage the latter with a bit of effort still -- in six months when Apple loses ITS 500 million dollars or settles on the mp3 case I think we'll see no one willing to tackle distributing mp-whatever even under the table.<br /> <br /> The thing that makes the emergence of Linux as the ultimate winner (no matter what) in the long run is that it is infinitely adaptable and cheap and efficient. Microsoft has attempted corporate Hari-Kiri with Vista, for example -- even my kids who love MS for playing games find that Vista renders most of those games unplayable, even after turning off "transparency" and so on. Every customer that leaves MS leaves forever, and they leave at a pretty steady rate.<br /> <br /> rgb Actually, many of the issues in this article are dead on the money. Anybody who has read what I write about MS knows that I am far, far from being a MS lover, but it isn’t FUD to note that e.g. broadcom wireless hardware requires major, complex surgery to get to work under Linux, that sound cards and video cards (to a lesser extent) have similar issues, and so on. Especially on laptops. I just purchased a lenovo laptop (C3000 N100) and although the machines itself is lovely, I cannot get the broadcom to work native even with firmware surgery from WinXX drivers and the sound card doesn’t look like it will work at all. To get the monitor to work I had to use the latest 915resolution tool.

I’m a linux/unix expert and CAN make it through all of these problems (however much I still think of them as being major PITAs) but most users or buyers of systems cannot and will not be able to resolve this kind of thing. And yeah, the codec issue is another major pain of a different kind — one that nailed MS itself to the tune of a billion dollar judgement against them over MP3s. Not trivial issues and in any way ignorable, but when my own son has a music performance on the internet radio, for better or worse the only way I can listen is by finding a tool that has the right codecs installed, and such tools don’t exist for linux for many of the alternatives.

There is a major advantage to having a company like Dell sell systems with linux. Any linux, as noted. If it is sold with linux, it has linux-compatible hardware. If it has linux-compatible hardware, you can reinstall it to run whatever linux distro you like and it will still work. It forces the vendor to consider this when configuring the hardware, and encourages the vendor to make lin-friendly choices when choosing between (say) Intel and Broadcom wireless.

Linux is perfectly lovely at the desktop now, IMO, for nearly anything that one needs to do, on systems that have hardware it supports, and provided that you don’t want to watch movies, play WMA or MP3 music feeds (although one can manage the latter with a bit of effort still — in six months when Apple loses ITS 500 million dollars or settles on the mp3 case I think we’ll see no one willing to tackle distributing mp-whatever even under the table.

The thing that makes the emergence of Linux as the ultimate winner (no matter what) in the long run is that it is infinitely adaptable and cheap and efficient. Microsoft has attempted corporate Hari-Kiri with Vista, for example — even my kids who love MS for playing games find that Vista renders most of those games unplayable, even after turning off “transparency” and so on. Every customer that leaves MS leaves forever, and they leave at a pretty steady rate.

rgb

]]> By: ken http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4238 ken Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4238 I've been running Suse 10 on my desktop since it came out, no problems that are significant have been encountered. I boot Win98 SE on my laptop every once in a while to run some loging programs, for my ham radio operating, that I can't run on Linux.<br /> Basicly, Windows suck's, the only system that Billy came up with that was any good was DOS.<br /> Linux DeskTop forever!!!!!!<br /> Ken I’ve been running Suse 10 on my desktop since it came out, no problems that are significant have been encountered. I boot Win98 SE on my laptop every once in a while to run some loging programs, for my ham radio operating, that I can’t run on Linux.
Basicly, Windows suck’s, the only system that Billy came up with that was any good was DOS.
Linux DeskTop forever!!!!!!
Ken

]]> By: carling http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4239 carling Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4239 Steve M answer me one question please. Why! didn't you buy the latest Windows (Vista) and all of the applications <br /> <br /> Vista is not without it's big big problems when it comes to drivers, do your research in to some of the problems users are having with their Vista Premium Version costing $299.00 and still can't get support from MS, and their Hardware Vendors.<br /> <br /> nuff said Steve M answer me one question please. Why! didn’t you buy the latest Windows (Vista) and all of the applications

Vista is not without it’s big big problems when it comes to drivers, do your research in to some of the problems users are having with their Vista Premium Version costing $299.00 and still can’t get support from MS, and their Hardware Vendors.

nuff said

]]> By: normfox http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4240 normfox Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4240 This article reminds me of my experience attempting to install and configure Debian Linux several years ago. Now most of this is out of date, hyperbole, or both. These days you don’t need to PhD to configure or manage Linux especially the user friendly distros like Suse and Ubuntu; you just need to be a little bit savvy. And given the lack of virus and spy ware issues it’s probably easier for the “average Joe” to use. (Though if you really want easy shell out the extra $$$ for a Mac)<br /> Wifi has been huge a problem but it has made huge strides in the last few months. Consider that the current version of Amarok supports WMA, MP3 and AAC before griping about multimedia support. It took me about 20 min to get my Suse box to play any media content I or the web can throw at it. In 3+ years of running Linux at home I’ve yet to have a problem moving between Linux Open Office at home and Windows MS Office at work. As for drivers check what’s supported and what’s not before building/converting your box. I’ve built or converted 3 boxes to Linux in the last 3 years and the only hardware that has given me a headache has been TV cards (remotes in previous years, but not recently). Everything else has been sniffed and correctly configured by either the OS or NVIDIA’s Linux graphics driver. As to the user comments about bad support from companies, don’t buy it; it does suck. However, there is a giant community of Linux users on bulletin boards who are willing to help you for free. This article reminds me of my experience attempting to install and configure Debian Linux several years ago. Now most of this is out of date, hyperbole, or both. These days you don’t need to PhD to configure or manage Linux especially the user friendly distros like Suse and Ubuntu; you just need to be a little bit savvy. And given the lack of virus and spy ware issues it’s probably easier for the “average Joe” to use. (Though if you really want easy shell out the extra $$$ for a Mac)
Wifi has been huge a problem but it has made huge strides in the last few months. Consider that the current version of Amarok supports WMA, MP3 and AAC before griping about multimedia support. It took me about 20 min to get my Suse box to play any media content I or the web can throw at it. In 3+ years of running Linux at home I’ve yet to have a problem moving between Linux Open Office at home and Windows MS Office at work. As for drivers check what’s supported and what’s not before building/converting your box. I’ve built or converted 3 boxes to Linux in the last 3 years and the only hardware that has given me a headache has been TV cards (remotes in previous years, but not recently). Everything else has been sniffed and correctly configured by either the OS or NVIDIA’s Linux graphics driver. As to the user comments about bad support from companies, don’t buy it; it does suck. However, there is a giant community of Linux users on bulletin boards who are willing to help you for free.

]]> By: bryanwilkerson http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4241 bryanwilkerson Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4241 Not only am I running Linux on my desktop, but my desktop is a laptop. I've had a Linux laptop (on my second) for two years and EVERYTHING works! Almost right out of the box with SuSE 10. I recently switched to Kubuntu and the tweaking I had to do was minimal - it took a while to figure out how to change the laptop lid behavior. About the only thing I didn't have out-of-the-box is DVD playback but hey, mplayer, need I say more.<br /> <br /> Granted, I'm not your average Joe User, but it really is close enough. Let's face facts, if Windows didn't come preinstalled, how many people would be able to get it up and running perfectly on a laptop? Not only am I running Linux on my desktop, but my desktop is a laptop. I’ve had a Linux laptop (on my second) for two years and EVERYTHING works! Almost right out of the box with SuSE 10. I recently switched to Kubuntu and the tweaking I had to do was minimal – it took a while to figure out how to change the laptop lid behavior. About the only thing I didn’t have out-of-the-box is DVD playback but hey, mplayer, need I say more.

Granted, I’m not your average Joe User, but it really is close enough. Let’s face facts, if Windows didn’t come preinstalled, how many people would be able to get it up and running perfectly on a laptop?

]]> By: dogatemycomputer http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4242 dogatemycomputer Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4242 FUD! I'm tired of this kind of "linux is for nerds" attitude. I have installed linux on more than a few machines used by the average everyday idiot. I have never installed linux on a machine where the owner asked me to remove it for any reason. <br /> <br /> I doubt he has a PHD.. maybe he meant he has "Permanent Head Damage"? That would explain his need for Windows? FUD! I’m tired of this kind of “linux is for nerds” attitude. I have installed linux on more than a few machines used by the average everyday idiot. I have never installed linux on a machine where the owner asked me to remove it for any reason.

I doubt he has a PHD.. maybe he meant he has “Permanent Head Damage”? That would explain his need for Windows?

]]> By: thomasvs http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4243 thomasvs Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4243 Hi Mark,<br /> <br /> (disclaimer: I work for Fluendo)<br /> <br /> I didn't understand your comment about multimedia. First of all, I have no idea how any of the licenses you mention could solve the multimedia problem.<br /> <br /> Second, there are open source players matched to the Fluendo codecs. The codecs plug into GStreamer, GStreamer is LGPL, and any free software application can link to GStreamer and use the codecs. Totem does it, Rhythmbox and Banshee do it, and so do a host of other applications.<br /> <br /> As for the codecs being proprietary, nothing that can be done about that. For some formats, by definition, you can't have both "legal/licensed" and "open source/free software". But hey, you pick either one until those codecs are obsolete. Hi Mark,

(disclaimer: I work for Fluendo)

I didn’t understand your comment about multimedia. First of all, I have no idea how any of the licenses you mention could solve the multimedia problem.

Second, there are open source players matched to the Fluendo codecs. The codecs plug into GStreamer, GStreamer is LGPL, and any free software application can link to GStreamer and use the codecs. Totem does it, Rhythmbox and Banshee do it, and so do a host of other applications.

As for the codecs being proprietary, nothing that can be done about that. For some formats, by definition, you can’t have both “legal/licensed” and “open source/free software”. But hey, you pick either one until those codecs are obsolete.

]]> By: estiedi http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4244 estiedi Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4244 I had to double check the date of the article. I can't believe this has been written in 2007, but I'd rather think in 2002-2003!<br /> <br /> I'm using (K)Ubuntu (previously Debian, Suse, RedHat and Gentoo, besides some specialised distros like IPCop) on my PCs, my laptop and my servers. I am proud to say that I'm completely Windows clean!<br /> <br /> Not a single Linux distro ever destroyed the OS during a remote update...Windows did!<br /> <br /> On older machines I can run Linux headless (without graphical interface)...I cannot with Windows!<br /> <br /> The last Windows installation was made unusable by a virus scanner update (yes, I paid for that!)...no such problem on Linux.<br /> <br /> I like doing video editing, on Linux I use Kino, which is rock stable...not so on Windows, all programs I used where uttely unstable!<br /> <br /> I find everything I need within seconds using tools like grep, locate...not so on Windows where Explorer took minutes to find files and the grep-like function was in my experience completely unusable.<br /> <br /> I find the way Linux is organised very logical (user data in /home, configuration in /etc....), not so with Windows (everything mixed IMO).<br /> <br /> Installation went perfectly well in about 30', including faultless hardware detection. <br /> <br /> I'd consider myself as being a power user, but definitely not a guru or Linux nerd. My wife and kids (8 and 4 years!) are using Ubuntu as well without any problem. And they're certainly no "specialists".<br /> <br /> For what we're using computers for (Internet surfing, email, watching DVDs, video editing, photo & graphics editing, software development, office stuff), Linux serves us perfectly well. Better than Windows, at least for me. I had to double check the date of the article. I can’t believe this has been written in 2007, but I’d rather think in 2002-2003!

I’m using (K)Ubuntu (previously Debian, Suse, RedHat and Gentoo, besides some specialised distros like IPCop) on my PCs, my laptop and my servers. I am proud to say that I’m completely Windows clean!

Not a single Linux distro ever destroyed the OS during a remote update…Windows did!

On older machines I can run Linux headless (without graphical interface)…I cannot with Windows!

The last Windows installation was made unusable by a virus scanner update (yes, I paid for that!)…no such problem on Linux.

I like doing video editing, on Linux I use Kino, which is rock stable…not so on Windows, all programs I used where uttely unstable!

I find everything I need within seconds using tools like grep, locate…not so on Windows where Explorer took minutes to find files and the grep-like function was in my experience completely unusable.

I find the way Linux is organised very logical (user data in /home, configuration in /etc….), not so with Windows (everything mixed IMO).

Installation went perfectly well in about 30′, including faultless hardware detection.

I’d consider myself as being a power user, but definitely not a guru or Linux nerd. My wife and kids (8 and 4 years!) are using Ubuntu as well without any problem. And they’re certainly no “specialists”.

For what we’re using computers for (Internet surfing, email, watching DVDs, video editing, photo & graphics editing, software development, office stuff), Linux serves us perfectly well. Better than Windows, at least for me.

]]> By: offset29 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4245 offset29 Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4245 Risible nonsense. Ubuntu and SuSE are excellent desktop platforms for commercial deployment. We are actively replacing all of our current business apps and any vendor foolish enough to try and mandate MS to this company on the desktop is advised that the door is the wooden thing in the wall. We require choice, flexibility and value for money; none of these words sits easily in the same sentence as .NET. Risible nonsense. Ubuntu and SuSE are excellent desktop platforms for commercial deployment. We are actively replacing all of our current business apps and any vendor foolish enough to try and mandate MS to this company on the desktop is advised that the door is the wooden thing in the wall. We require choice, flexibility and value for money; none of these words sits easily in the same sentence as .NET.

]]> By: weaponx69 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4246 weaponx69 Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/3432/#comment-4246 I have to agree with the other negative comments about this article. I'm thinking the author of this article doesn't even use desktop linux. I have been using desktop linux for about 5 years. I don't even have a copy of windows. Everything I have is working fine. All you have to do is buy linux friendly hardware and software and it's all good. Most everything linux friendly and an increasing amount of things non-linux friendly work right out of the box. I'm not sure what your talking about when you say wireless is a problem. I have never had wireless problems. Most of the time, I have an easier time than most windows users. My connection is totally automated. I think you need to check the facts before you write these things. Maybe you should actually use linux first before you write about it. It doesn't sound like your even a linux fan or even really tried it. I have to agree with the other negative comments about this article. I’m thinking the author of this article doesn’t even use desktop linux. I have been using desktop linux for about 5 years. I don’t even have a copy of windows. Everything I have is working fine. All you have to do is buy linux friendly hardware and software and it’s all good. Most everything linux friendly and an increasing amount of things non-linux friendly work right out of the box. I’m not sure what your talking about when you say wireless is a problem. I have never had wireless problems. Most of the time, I have an easier time than most windows users. My connection is totally automated. I think you need to check the facts before you write these things. Maybe you should actually use linux first before you write about it. It doesn’t sound like your even a linux fan or even really tried it.

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