Linux vs. Microsoft? The age old debate.?

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I've been a *nix user now for several years, and am still appalled by the lack of interest in it. What is it about Microsoft that makes it sooo appealing. Crashes, backdoors, packages and programs that you constantly have to upgrade. I just don't get it. Can someone either tell me what is so 'good' about Microsoft, or simply just tell me why you like *nix so much.... Thanx!
I totally agree with the Ubuntu statement! They are almost there. And I guess I should have explained myself a bit more. I use *nix because of it's stability, not because of the games or apps I can play. Does anyone else have a *nix vs MS server issue?
 
At last we have a question based on the real 'David and Goliath' issue, and no offence to MAC users but Linux is rapidly gaining ground and MAC could easily be toppled from 2nd place.

http://commandline.org.uk/more/predictions-more-linux-than-mac-2008-01-04-19-00.html

Myself I have to admit 2years ago thought as many still do that Linux users were rather odd. This notion was bought about through my ignorance that everything Linux was difficult, and the very thought of me becoming a Linux user I would have dismissed outright.

Windows XP once reigned supreme on my PC, the same as it does in countless homes and workplaces around the globe.

It was my disappointment with Windows Vista that started the ball rolling and thought I would try something alternative than a straight switch back to XP.

I decided to give Linux a go.

It was the word that I was hearing over and over again here on YA. That word was 'UBUNTU'. I first cut my teeth on Ubuntu 6.10, somewhat more involved than the later releases. I was impressed with Beryl/Emerald that I had seen on YouTube.

Anyway not knowing the first thing about Ubuntu I almost gave up at the first hurdle,like many do. I am so pleased I didn't as once all was correctly installed it was an absolute pleasure to use.

Now I work with Ubuntu 7.04/7.10, much more userfriendly than 6.10

Now only around 20gb of my 250gb Hard Drive is assigned to NTFS, the rest Ubuntu.

Yes Microsoft will always be dominant as they offer 'plug in and play' operating systems,many won't even consider of trying Linux from a LiveCD.

Remember I was like that once, so those that live in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones

Good luck.

LUg.
 
I think Linux is almost there with ubuntu, they just need to make it a bit easier for the lusers (end-users)...

the biggest obstacle, I think, is that you can't install many winders apps/games on linux, unless you run them in vmware and then ur using winders anyways. I have no problem using whatever open source equivalent is available, but i don't play many games and regular users want their MS and Adobe apps.

also consider the fact that most pc's ship with winders installed, and the average person doesn't know how to install a OS or even what one is.

finally, remember that microsoft has dominated the corporate world (except the SMART companies who care about security)

At least way more people are using it now than ever before!

The open source community needs to make a distro for idiots, and make it look like OS-X. They can call it Dumbuntu, Retarded Rabbit

lol
 
I think Linux is almost there with ubuntu, they just need to make it a bit easier for the lusers (end-users)...

the biggest obstacle, I think, is that you can't install many winders apps/games on linux, unless you run them in vmware and then ur using winders anyways. I have no problem using whatever open source equivalent is available, but i don't play many games and regular users want their MS and Adobe apps.

also consider the fact that most pc's ship with winders installed, and the average person doesn't know how to install a OS or even what one is.

finally, remember that microsoft has dominated the corporate world (except the SMART companies who care about security)

At least way more people are using it now than ever before!

The open source community needs to make a distro for idiots, and make it look like OS-X. They can call it Dumbuntu, Retarded Rabbit

lol
 
Look, the reason there is not more interest is very straightforward and can be seen in SOME of the more strident Ubuntu users. Closed-source OSes are Consumer-oriented oses and one thing they promise (though this is absurd) is to take responsibility for the files they put on your computers. Most of the Ubuntu developers I know about work on either security or upgrade technology (and I HATE Ubuntu's upgrade technology as opposed to Debian's -- or anyone else's but their security is excellent). Nevertheless, despite being intended for people who are less computer-savvy than other *n?xes Ubuntu is an uncompromising Linux which certainly makes it straightforward to learn how to take and implement steps to keep your computer safe while making the opposite challenging.

That said, people don't want to be safe: they want the illusion that they are safe. They want all those assurances that the OS will take responsibility for their files that M$ makes so strongly and dishonestly. Talk to satisfied Windows users. Talk to Old Line Macintosh Users (there is a new breed who were attracted by that for the first time in its history you can do some serious technical computing on it, for whom this doesn't apply). They want the computer to do everything SO badly they will let their computer do it so badly. Linux doesn't make that claim. There are deluded Ubuntu users out there -- but I don't see any claim that Ubuntu itself will keep you safe from viruses made by Canonical or any official source, unless it also talks about your need to inform yourself and take proactive action. It is a genuine and uncompromising Linux.

You will get the most out of Linux to the extent you take responsibility for your own computer. That is what is so "good" about Microsoft. As PJ (Groklaw) said, "People aren't as stupid as Microsoft needs them to be." But they don't want to take responsibility.
 
I don't think it is the appeal of Microsoft products but rather the ignorance of the rest. Windows has been preinstalled on PCs for over a decade now. When people go to WalMart to get a PC, they are buying a Windows machine. Most likely, the same installation is still on it when they dispose of it. It is taught in today's schools and for the gamers there is not much other choice. It is the widespread availability and familiarity of it. However, in my opinion, does not mean that it is better. Just because McDonalds is the most widespread restaurant in the world does not mean it makes the best food.

I like Linux because it offers me the freedom from a monopoly. I know that when I install Linux on my computer it is MY computer. I am not leasing software from a company. I know that whatever I do, I can always reinstall without fear of being locked out. I know that all the software I use is open source and supports innovation. The programmers for these projects don't do it for the money they do it because they love what they do. I support the philosophy of Linux. Plus, I don't have to put up with the BS you mentioned as well. :)
On Linux, everything works for me. It just does. It works well and I have no problems with it. I like the security it offers. I can have it for years and it would be just as fast as the day I installed it. I can do all my work with it and still be able to kick back with a game of Alien Arena.
 
...Good comment by Snake.... In one of my previous posts, I made a comment about the business models of Ms and Mac. I see Linux as an idea. Ms does have its issues, and frankly, a lot of player haters saying, "Ms sux" would still be using 28.8 modems in Dos where it not for MS as a business taking off. Yes, it has caused me countless anguish from lost data to cash. The one thing Ms can be said to have done is to empower the ability of the masses to get connected. So, here we are. What now? I love playing with Linux. Linux has probs that if warned about would scare off potential converts. I haven't put it on a laptop yet. You know why. Do I see Linux as a viable competietor to MS? In the desktop market? Nope. Why!? People resist change, except in measure, and even then it must be familiar. MS is a name brand, like Wrangler is to blue jeans. What is Linux? Rustler, sold and marketed by every outlet. An 'off-brand'. A wanna-be. My gosh! It even LOOKS like windows! LOL! Thats called a knock-off. People assume it'll be like those fake Rolex watches in NY City. Cheap, shiney, and doomed to stop working soon as the guy folds up his table. My last install of Mint just got hosed by an update, Puppy just got toasted, PC Linux failed, the only install I have running today, is Ubuntu. I might listen to Snakes sale pitch, and try his brand of coffee next.... Lemme stop, I'm just blathering on... I do luv the very open communal idea of Linux, and thats enuff to keep my interest and focus on it. Oh! Plus a bunch of all discard PCs! Now, if only Google will go ahead and release thier Distro... then this debate might change some.
 
It all goes back to the history of the two.
MS were the first ones to establish themselves to the general user market(despite all the stories 'bout them stealing Apple's idea).
There's nothing wrong with Linux, just that people have gotten used to using MS products.
Can't say that's much of an excuse but for one to really get the most out of Linux, you have to get into the nits and grids, which isn't exactly user friendly.
There isn't an alternative really. Apple are also trying, but it's going to take a lot for change.

With bugs and all of that, MS is a huge OS all on it's own.
Programmed for different type of users, which will never be easy to accomplish. No system is perfect. It's popularity(and hate) makes it prone for attacks because it's the widly used.
The fact that they have a monopoly over the market, gives them leverage to slack or even buy out new ideas(money talks). Same goes for Apple with it's multimedia frenzy gadgets, they own the market and can manupilate it.
Anyway, with that said, I think things will change and we'll get better products in the future.
 
Hi, I am a Linux user, I use openSUSE but I doubt Linux will ever be mainstream.

For example:

1. Suspend and hibernate is a huge problem on laptops, and Linux has huge problems with that.

2. Commercial software is such a great problem with Linux, do u know how much of a pain it is to develop different software for Linux. You have to make sure it works and looks ok on different desktop environments, then u have to test it on all these different distros, then u have to package it for rpm, deb, portage, release the compiled source code. Thats very hard work, and then u need to provide support for ALL of them.

3. Different desktop environments means it becomes more complicated for the new user.

4. Polish, if u have used Mandriva and openSUSE then u probably know how good looking and professional they r whereas distro like Ubuntu look ugly and un professional.

5. A simple update can break your system, don't tell me u have never had a problem in which one update has cause some program or some hardware to stop working. My friends who use Ubuntu have had the entire OS crash just due to a bad update. Some people have had to downgrade from Ubuntu 7.10 to 7.04 just for stability. What kind of crap is that? I am glad I use SUSE, never had that problem.

6. Now drivers, Linux supports almost all hardware but have u checked some of the latest nvidia drivers, they r horrible and nvidia isn't even bothered to fix them. The fonts r not drawn properly, games crash on the latest drivers. They cause huge problems when doing compositing and people r complaining and still no one bothers. You don't have to deal with buggy drivers in Windows.

7. Linux is open source so that means u will always have trouble with multimedia for example it will take ages for us to have legal bluray encrypted movie play back whereas Windows and OS X will be getting that soon. Very few distros like Mandriva have legal codecs.

Linux will always be an alternative.

EDIT:

Ubuntu is NOT almost there, other distros like Mandriva r way better and easier to use.
 
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