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Free Software Foundation trashes Windows 7 | |
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| Time: 00:20 EST/05:20 GMT | News Source: News.com | Posted By: Andre Da Costa | ||
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There's nothing like trashing the competition. And that's exactly what the Free Software Foundation plans to do on Wednesday, staging a demonstration in Boston where it will encourage businesses to throw away Microsoft Windows in favor of free alternatives. | ||
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| #1 By 2960 (72.196.201.130) at 8/26/2009 12:56:59 PM |
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I love free software.
But I absolutely despise extremists of any kind. They ruin the world for everyone else. |
| #2 By 238217 (99.246.46.48) at 8/26/2009 5:36:16 PM |
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The truth is that, at present, there is no good OS alternative to Windows for the typical consumer. Google Chrome OS may change this, but people just aren't going to use an inferior product just because it's free. And it really IS inferior. Take a look at http://linuxfonts.narod.ru/why.linux.is.not.ready.for.the.desktop.html for a (relatively brief) list of some of the things that are wrong with Linux. Instead of trashing the competition, those involved with free and open source software would do much better to concentrate on putting out a better product.
This post was edited by pearljam on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 17:38. |
| #3 By 15406 (99.240.76.72) at 8/26/2009 6:09:58 PM |
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#2: The truth is that, at present, there is no good OS alternative to Windows for the typical consumer.
I would argue that the typical consumer uses their PC to use the Web, do email, IM, and word processing. Linux can do that very well. Chrome OS is Google's browser mated with the Linux kernel, so it's designed to be a web client. If you believe that Linux is inferior, I don't understand how Chrome + kernel is somehow greater than a full distro. You can run Chrome on Linux today. Why would you need Chrome OS? Maybe for the lightest of netbooks but that's all I can think of off the top of my head. Instead of trashing the competition, those involved with free and open source software would do much better to concentrate on putting out a better product. Like MS, they can certainly do both. This post was edited by Latch on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 18:17. |
| #4 By 89249 (72.213.153.66) at 8/26/2009 10:18:17 PM |
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#3 I would argue that the typical consumer uses their PC to use the Web, do email, IM, and word processing. Linux can do that very well.
And there you have it folks. Here is exactly why, after over a decade, OSS bro's haven't produced a product the consumer wants. |
| #5 By 143 (216.205.223.146) at 8/26/2009 11:33:40 PM |
| The free OS option is good for a box that's setting on stand used for only one task like label making and so on. |
| #6 By 230538 (74.219.160.9) at 8/27/2009 7:20:00 AM |
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#5: "And there you have it folks. Here is exactly why, after over a decade, OSS bro's haven't produced a product the consumer wants.
It's because the consumer really doesn't know of Linux.. I still get the "Linux, what's that?!" line.. Where is the software support to? Two big things which Linux users have asked for, Adobe suite and Quicken.. Still have seen these two companies jump onto the bad-wagon to support Linux OS's.. And the sales people.. I've gone in to stores looking for Linux desktops and had the "expert" sales people tell me that I don't want that because the CPU was slow, low on memory, etc.. They then try to sell me the $1000 Windows box.. Try it, tell them you're getting this for your grandparents and that they'll be surfing the web, e-mail and printing pictures; linux distros are perfectly fine for this.. They'll try to sell you a top of the line system just for this.. Commission for the consumer is a b.. Don't get me wrong, I use both *nix and Windows.. Windows 7 rocks and believe that this is what Vista should have been all along.. But if you're a network IT person and you don't know how to install/use a Linux distro, then there's something wrong with you.. The tools available, even in a default installation of a Linux distro would cost you hundreds of dollars for them to run in windows (even though a lot of the OSS versions are getting ported over).. |
| #7 By 15406 (216.191.227.68) at 8/27/2009 8:35:29 AM |
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#4: I'm pretty sure you're using English, but what you said makes no sense whatsoever.
#6: You must be new here ;) |
| #8 By 23275 (68.117.163.128) at 8/27/2009 11:00:48 AM |
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#7, Latch, it is very clear to me what MrHumpty means.
If I may: So long as those advocating for non-Windows platforms continue to suggest that all people want, or need to do be restricted to simple IM, web surfing and email, those platforms will be rejected in favor of Windows and the nearly limitless potential available on the platform from Microsoft. More than just suggesting what people should do, or limit themselves to, your suggestion goes beyond the technical and offends the human spirit. People do not like any organization of any kind - regardless of how well intentioned it may be, telling them what they should and should not do on, or with a personal computer. As true as it may be that most people do not regularly do a great deal on a computer, the point is that they may want to, or that they routinely do one "extra" thing not covered by your short list. You seem to assume that all users are using the same "extra" thing - and that one person's extra thing is the same as all others. It is as stupid as the argument that we all only use 10% of what MS Office can do - assuming we all use the same 10% of the total feature set - where it is much more likely that the 10% I use is different from the 10% you use and so on... Mr. Humpty nails not just the technical implications, but the far more meaningful reasons why Microsoft and the PC are used by so many people - truly, from devs and engineers to businesses and end users, MS has embraced the idea that it is really all about individual potential and their own passion to provide platforms, tools, applications and services that help each achieve that potential. So long as non-Windows platforms seek to constrain users practically (FOSS/OSS), or stuff them into their own interpretations of computing (Apple), Microsoft and its platforms will remain the choice for the majority of users in a majority of instances. I will give you credit for being intentionally obtuse (to support your arguments by pretending to not understand) as opposed to simply being naïve (again). |
| #9 By 15406 (216.191.227.68) at 8/27/2009 12:40:36 PM |
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#8: LOL, that post was *so* over the top with a huge heapin' helpin' of hyperbole. It's also one big strawman which I shall enjoy dissecting:
So long as those advocating for non-Windows platforms continue to suggest that all people want, or need to do be restricted to simple IM, web surfing and email, those platforms will be rejected in favor of Windows and the nearly limitless potential available on the platform from Microsoft. Who said that? Certainly not me. I said that I believed that the typical user (I always think in the context of the home user as they are the largest group of PC users) primarily uses their PC to do those 4 things. Nowhere did I say that's all they should do, or be allowed to do. More than just suggesting what people should do, or limit themselves to, your suggestion goes beyond the technical and offends the human spirit. hahaha, "offends the human spirit".. stop it, you're killing me! Once again, allow me to correct your deliberately false interpretation of what I said. If I say that most people do A, B and C, that does not mean all should or all must. It is what it is. Your entire post is one giant strawman that you've constructed in a lame attempt to attack what was a simple and true statement. As true as it may be that most people do not regularly do a great deal on a computer, the point is that they may want to, or that they routinely do one "extra" thing not covered by your short list. ...in which case they can use any of thousands of software packages to do that thing. Now, before you start to think up Microsoft-only specific cases, I acknowledge that you will always be able to find individual cases where there is no equivalence between Windows & Linux. Those are the exception to the general user. Mr. Humpty nails not just the technical implications, but the far more meaningful reasons why Microsoft and the PC are used by so many people - truly, from devs and engineers to businesses and end users, MS has embraced the idea that it is really all about individual potential and their own passion to provide platforms, tools, applications and services that help each achieve that potential. You need to quit your current job and go to work for the MS marketing team. The added bonus is that you actually believe the feel-good bumph you come up with. So long as non-Windows platforms seek to constrain users practically (FOSS/OSS), or stuff them into their own interpretations of computing (Apple), Microsoft and its platforms will remain the choice for the majority of users in a majority of instances. Yes, FOSS is all about limiting choice. And black is the new white, and cats are dogs. What world do you live in? Oh right, Microsoft World, where there is no monopoly abuse, no lock-in, everything is done for the user. Cough. I will give you credit for being intentionally obtuse (to support your arguments by pretending to not understand) as opposed to simply being naïve (again). I'll give you credit for taking the time to build this mighty strawman. But it's built on a base of nonsense and can be blown over with the wave of a feather. |
| #10 By 23275 (68.117.163.128) at 8/27/2009 1:02:26 PM |
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Sorry Latch but simple and true statement is not simple - no more than the people using PC's are simple. It is also not true and as I have said, so long as you continue to insist that it is, FOSS/OSS will do poorly and yes, such thinking will continue to offend the human spirit.
It's like Bill Maher saying Americans are stupid - simply because their views may differ from his own. He, like you comes off badly and true or not, that becomes less important. About a billion people do not agree with you - they all do things on the computers that you and I have no idea of and it almost always includes something more than what you have on your list. It's very much like tech guys supporting users and treating them badly, because they may not be familiar with technology... I always remind them that a) we're supporting very smart people that only happen to be experienced and trained in different professions from our own and b) be humble and understand that while we may know a bit about computers, we know nothing about the professions of the people we support - not in any great way. This post was edited by lketchum on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 13:02. |
| #11 By 9589 (71.71.110.222) at 8/27/2009 2:44:59 PM |
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Open sore thinks they are the "competition!" lol That's a good one . . .
Must be a slow news day. "Competition" . . . lol . . . plonk . . . |
| #12 By 15406 (216.191.227.68) at 8/27/2009 2:49:08 PM |
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#10: Sorry Latch but simple and true statement is not simple - no more than the people using PC's are simple. It is also not true and as I have said, so long as you continue to insist that it is, FOSS/OSS will do poorly and yes, such thinking will continue to offend the human spirit.
It may be true and it may not. I believe it is, more or less. Maybe there are 6 core apps instead of 4 that the majority get by with. The exact number isn't really important. You can still do those things on Linux or Mac. You seem to believe that the most common PC uses are somehow the exclusive domain of Windows when we both know that's not true at all. Show me something to refute it and maybe you'll change my mind. While you're at it, maybe you could explain the correlation you made between my personal beliefs about the PC usage of the average user and the long-term outlook for free software, as it seems tenuous at best and a bogus contrivance at worst. I don't think there is any correlation but maybe I have much more power than I thought I did. It's like Bill Maher saying Americans are stupid - simply because their views may differ from his own. He, like you comes off badly and true or not, that becomes less important. About a billion people do not agree with you - they all do things on the computers that you and I have no idea of and it almost always includes something more than what you have on your list. Wow, you've really topped yourself this time. I used to think you were a self-inflated, pompous ass for thinking you speak for everyone here on AW, but now you're speaking on behalf of a quarter of the planet? Amazing. It's very much like tech guys supporting users and treating them badly, because they may not be familiar with technology... I always remind them that a) we're supporting very smart people that only happen to be experienced and trained in different professions from our own and b) be humble and understand that while we may know a bit about computers, we know nothing about the professions of the people we support - not in any great way. Well, that's about the smartest thing you've said all week, and I agree with you whole-heartedly. |
| #13 By 15406 (216.191.227.68) at 8/27/2009 2:51:19 PM |
| #11: Open source software is used by individuals, companies and governments all around the world. It would be nice if you actually had something intelligent to say now & then other than your lame ' open sores' wordplay. |
| #14 By 143 (216.205.223.146) at 8/27/2009 4:45:21 PM |
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Bill Maher is correct saying most Americans are stupid. He's not talking about policy differences, he's talking about plain ignorance or lack of any common sense.
This will make you laugh and cry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE This post was edited by donpacman on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 16:50. |
| #15 By 23275 (68.117.163.128) at 8/27/2009 5:15:25 PM |
| #14, uneducated in some cases, yes. no people are stupid as a group, but some do stupid things - like calling an entire group of people stupid. |
| #16 By 15406 (99.240.76.72) at 8/27/2009 6:07:58 PM |
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#15: As much as Maher is a comedian and says things for comic effect, I agree with you here too. I'm almost afraid to post this, as us agreeing twice in one thread is likely to cause some kind of matter/anti-matter explosion in the space/time fabric.
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| #17 By 12071 (202.43.140.32) at 8/27/2009 8:12:19 PM |
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#10 "It's like Bill Maher saying Americans are stupid"
Context... he was saying it in the context of Sarah Palin... and to that effect he's correct... those American's who voted for her (because she's a soccer mom or religious or <insert any other reason>) are stupid. As Bill says, you're entitled to think however you like, you're entitled to believe whatever you like, you're entitled to vote any way you like... and he's allowed to call you dumb for doing so! Think of it as equality :) #12 "but now you're speaking on behalf of a quarter of the planet? Amazing." Well under 1/7th but who's counting :) #13 "you actually had something intelligent to say now & then" Is it really a surprise than people like himself and rxcall time after time don't have anything to say other than 'open sores'? #15 "no people are stupid as a group" uneducated != stupid? Lots of groups of people are uneducated! There's millions of them all over the place... talking to their invisible imaginary friends. |
| #18 By 15406 (216.191.227.68) at 8/28/2009 7:41:58 AM |
| #17: Don't lump rxcall in with jdhawk. |
| #19 By 28801 (65.90.202.10) at 8/31/2009 7:24:43 AM |
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The problem with Linux is the countless distros. Users can't decide between 5 or 6 versions of Windows. How are they expected to choose the version of Linux that is right for them. If there were only one version with a clear marketing campaign and some serious cash behind it then things might be different.
For home users, I suspect that Linux can fulfill all needs beyond email and web surfing. It's a matter of comfort. For businesses, there are way to many proprietary clients that only work only on Windows. |
| #20 By 239038 (20.137.18.52) at 8/31/2009 10:26:22 AM |
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No disrespect intended, but to "despise" something is in itself an "extremist" stance. Rather, it CAN be an extremist stance; and almost always is an trait of extremism. Even the self righteousness to feel justified in feeling or acting in such a manner w/o self critique is one trademark of an extremist "stance" from which many other extremist RE-actions find their base.
I must admit, I too despise the cruelty and violence of those extremists who practice such things. One must guard against becoming what one despises, no? |
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