Subj : Re: Win4lin
To   : Ralph Smole
From : Sam Alexander
Date : Wed Oct 05 2005 05:15 pm

  Re: Re: Win4lin
  By: Ralph Smole to All on Tue Oct 04 2005 12:22 pm

 >   Re: Re: Win4lin
 >   By: Mweeby to Time Warrior on Mon Oct 03 2005 12:22 pm
 > 
 > 
 > Mark my words: We will NOT see Linux become the preferred OS over Windows in
 > our lifetime. I'll take bets on it!
 > Not until there is a unified Linux distro, and one that offers a TRULY
 > user-friendly interface. The general public doesn't want to mess with
 > dependencies,etc.. Not to mention crap like Lindows.

Hi Ralph,

I've noticed most computer users base their experience with computers on the 
first OS or Interface they learn.  For folks who started on Windows and 
learned the way Microsoft decided to do things, that's "The way to do it" 
and all others (Linux and OSX) do it 'wrong' or a more difficult way.  It 
boils down to what the user is used to using... and something as simple as 
moving the close window button from the upper-right corner to upper left is 
enough to mind-f*ck some users.

I read several Mac and Linux news groups where many folks often complain 
about how hard both OSes are to learn, but when they give examples of the 
things they're having problems with, most of these things are actually just 
as easy to do as in Windows, they're just in a different place.  Linux and 
OSX are different from Windows, but IMO they do everything Windwos will do 
and more.  Windows does have more users trained on it and more applications, 
which is why it's got such a large piece of the OS pie chart.

THis is no different then a programmer learning one language and moving to 
another.  The ideas and logical way of writing a program is still the same, 
you just need to learn the syntax of each language tomake it work correctly.  
Moving from Windows to OSX or Linux is no different.  WIth each you can 
change your network settings, browse the web, create directories, check 
email, call your fave BBS, but each does it abit differently.  It's just 
taking the time to learn how each OS does these tasks.

But back to your comment, I think which OS is top dog has nothing to do with 
what consumers want ... it's the computer manufactorers and the grasp MS has 
on their balls due to licenses and contracts.  If more companies like Dell 
would start offering PC's with other OSes (Dell's trying!) then this might 
change.  I want to see a world with a choice of OS but with compatible 
formats.  Office, Photoshop, and many others do this, so anyone can.  

It will be interesting to see where we are 10 years from now, but I'm sure 
I'll still have my trusty Mac and Linux boxes churping along quite nicely :)

Sam

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understanding, Understanding is not wisdom." -- Cliff Stoll
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