Subj : Re: Open Source Leaving Microsoft Sitting on the Fence?
To   : comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.linux
From : =?iso-8859-1?Q?Lin=F8nut?=
Date : Mon Jul 26 2004 07:57 am

Error BR-549: MS DRM 1.0 rejects the following post from Peter Lu:

> Linux basically lacks industry/organization strategy.  It is fragmented
> in such a way that each of the distributions are fighting for fiefdoms.

Pure crap.

> There is no central place where one can just pick up all the compatible
> applications and libraries.

Somewhat bogus.

> The user needs to know way too much to have
> a fully functioning system.

Pure crap.

> Only computer hackers can keep a Linux system running and supported.

Only computer hackers can keep ANY system running and supported, including
Windows.

> For example, documentation
> and testing are typically money-losing because their efforts are not
> immediately obvious.  With a large M$, the cross-funding can happen,
> whereas in the Linux fiefdoms, most of the effort is in packaging
> products for the next sale.  The fiefdoms need to create (unnecessary)
> distinctions between themselves for marketing reasons.

Then why do I find that ONLY open source install scripts support
a make option that lets you TEST what you just installed?

> Linux would be a much more formidable force if it were truly organized
> and consistent.  But as it is exceedingly difficult to have people
> cooperate rather than do their own thing, Linux remains in the realm
> of experimentation and playthings.  I like to play just as much as the
> next hacker, but there are many times when I want something working
> right out of the box (or easily supported/maintained), and I have yet to
> see this happen on Linux.  And certainly, the general population could
> care less about .dll or .so compatibilities.

In spite of your protests about being a UNIX guy originally, I think
you're actually not one.  You're bringing up some old arguments that
are now mostly bogus.

-- 
Free as in freedom
Power as in empowerment

.