Re: Linux vs. Windows


Posted by Kelly on Jan 31, 2004 at 01:36
(68.107.22.220)

Re: Linux vs. Windows (Shasta)

Mac OS X is kind of cool. I have a Mac laptop and am often impressed by what it can do. And I remember OS/2 (warp). There's no question that Microsoft has been very cut throat in their business practices. And Linux might be the OS that takes a bite out of their domination.

But not yet. I asked around here at work and many of the other developers have worked with Linux at one time or another. Their experiences matched mine: frustration. It just isn't there yet. When it is, Microsoft may have something to worry about.

Yeah, the SCO/Unix lawsuit situation is pretty bad. Robert Cringely has had some great columns about it.

"Being fixed by random coders doesn't detract from the trustworthiness of the software. It just detracts from having a black and white list of people to blame if something goes wrong."

And from having someone to go to for help. Most companies aren't comfortable with the idea that you just "post the problem" and somebody will fix it. I know that usually works but it's too uncertain.

"That's not how OSS coders think. They don't care about money. They care about the community."

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one. I'm more cynical about human nature.

And, okay, I'll concede that Linix isn't a "fringe" OS, but your pitchfork weilding local is right to be suspicious of an OS he's never heard of. The biggest problem Linux faces isn't bad press -- it's no press.

"Not to mention that if you want your Visual C++ .NET project to be able to run, you have to have the studio, or you have no compiler."

True. I was thinking in terms of ASP.NET / C# when I mentioned WebMatrix, which is fully functional. But for desktop apps in C++ you need the compiler. A C++ buddy of mine said you can get just the compiler for less than $100 but I don't have a link to back that up so I'll concede this point as well.


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