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August 30, 2005

Computer Dumb Ass alert!

Opinion: Five reasons NOT to use Linux

See, this article is actually kinda snarky. He's creating a straw man out 5 reasons people commonly give for not using Linux, and then comparing them to Windows-- in Window's disfavor. For fun and profit, er, fun, I am going to take the arguments apart...

Reason number one: Linux is too complicated Even with the KDE and GNOME graphical windowing interfaces, it's possible -- not likely, but possible -- that you'll need to use a command line now and again, or edit a configuration file.

Compare that with Windows where, it's possible -- not likely, but possible -- that you'll need to use a command line now and again, or edit the Windows registry, where, as they like to tell you, one wrong move could destroy your system forever.

With Linux, of course, you need to use the command line to to complicated things like install a program. Windows makes you use the command line when you want to do everyday tasks like editing the registry-- except that there is a graphical interface for that. I don't even know how to access the command prompt, something for which I am profoundly grateful...

Reason number two: Linux is a pain to set up

It's true. After all, with modern Linuxes like Xandros Desktop or SimplyMEPIS, you need to put in a CD or DVD, press the enter button, give your computer a name, and enter a password for the administrator account.

Gosh, that's hard.

On the other hand, with Windows, all you have to do is put in a CD or DVD, do all the above, and then immediately download all the available patches. After all, Symantec has found that an unpatched Windows PC connected to the Internet will last only a few hours before being compromised.

Unpatched Linux systems? Oh, they last months, but what's the fun of that?


True, I haven’t used SimplyMEPIS, but Xandros, SUsE and Mandrake (now Mandriva) all made me do a hell of a lot more than he implies. I had to actually choose between his aforementioned “KDE and GNOME graphical windowing interfaces”-- With no knowledge of what the hell I was choosing between! Also, I have had to figure out how to “mount” the partition and a few other things like that. None of which were explained very well, but all of which had big ‘ol warning signs...
Fun!

Reason number three: Linux doesn't have enough applications

Really now. I mean, most Linux systems only come with secure Web browsers, like Firefox; e-mail clients, like Evolution; IM clients, like GAIM; office suites, like OpenOffice.org 2.0; Web page editors, like Nvu; and on, and on, and...

Microsoft, on the other hand, gives you Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, the most popular Web browser and e-mail client around -- even though they do have a few little, teeny-weeny problems. Of course, Windows also has an IM-client, Windows Messenger, which, come to think of it, has also had some problems.

And, Microsoft also has Microsoft Office, which -- oh wait, you don't get that with the operating system, do you? You also don't get a Web page editor either, do you?

Well, still, with Windows you get so many more choices of software, don't you? Like Lotus 1-2... oh really? I didn't know that. Or, WordPerfect... oh, pretty much dead too.

Still, so long as you want to run Microsoft programs at Microsoft prices, Windows is the operating system for you!


Yeah, I remember just the other day, I booted up my SUsE partition and started playing Doom 3, until I got bored and installed World Of Warcraft. And- Wow! Google Earth looks so good under OpenGL on Linux. Not to mention the fact that I can always listen to my music whenever I want, right out of the box...

Wait, I can’t do any of that under linux. Not that the applications themselves don’t exist, but I don’t know how to get them working. Actually, many of the applications don’t exist...

Reason number 4: Linux isn't secure

If Microsoft says so, it has to be true! So what, if you can scarcely go a week without reading about yet another major Windows security problem in our sister publication, eWEEK.com's security section! Who would you rather believe -- Microsoft, or your own eyes?

son number 5: Linux is more expensive

Are you calling Microsoft a liar? Those nasty Linux companies, like Red Hat or Novell/SUSE charge you a fee for support. Others, like Linspire sell you the product. How dare they, when you can download free, fully-functional versions of almost all the Linux distributions.

Strawman and strawman. A big company is lying about its competition, fine. But no one else is talking about such things...

In short, I like Linux. I think it’s a great idea, and I really want someone to succeed at making a distribution I want to use. But right now, it simply isn’t mature enough. And articles like this one don’t help the maturity level at all...

Posted by Andrew at August 30, 2005 03:24 PM

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