Something about Linux

[Bratmon]

I was doing some reading, and I realized something. Every benefit windows has over Linux is an effect of it's popularity. If Linux was as popular as windows, Windows would quickly die. The biggest complaint is software. If Linux was more popular, there would be software versions for Linux, lessening Microsoft's power. I challenge you to name one advantage of Windows over Linux that isn't caused by the popularity gap.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

The ease of use? Linux is more for geeks (although IMHO there's nothing wrong with that).

 

[Padma]

Ease of use???

You can't get easier than a good distro running KDE 3.5. And once KDE4 is fully stable and up-to-date with all its apps, it will be even better. Windows is a PITA to use.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Well, it's the first thing that came to the top of my head.

 

[Aramazd]

Ease of use???

You can't get easier than a good distro running KDE 3.5. And once KDE4 is fully stable and up-to-date with all its apps, it will be even better. Windows is a PITA to use.

Wireless is a PITA on linux depending on the device, sound still has some issues, and AFAIK gpu video acceleration doesn't work on linux yet. To be fair, all these issues would be fixed if linux was more popular.

 

[Zelig]

I was doing some reading, and I realized something. Every benefit windows has over Linux is an effect of it's popularity. If Linux was as popular as windows, Windows would quickly die. The biggest complaint is software. If Linux was more popular, there would be software versions for Linux, lessening Microsoft's power. I challenge you to name one advantage of Windows over Linux that isn't caused by the popularity gap.

I'm not really sure what your point is, you can say the same of any open source software.

If enough people use it, it will get enough developers to copy any advantages proprietary software might have over it.

 

[Mise]

Windows can be a PITA sometimes, but Linux is more often a PITA than Windows. Windows is a very good operating system. I personally feel that Linux has too many different distros and GUIs to be compared as an operating system with Windows and MacOS, and actually I feel this greater degree of choice is rather unfortunate, as it just confuses people. I don't think Linux will ever be a mainstream OS, unless someone "rebrands" it in the same way that MacOS rebranded BSD. Perhaps Google can do it (c.f. Android).

I should also point out that if Linux was more popular, Linux would have just as many viruses as Windows.

Honestly, there is very little in it between Windows, MacOS and Linux; they are all very good, capable operating systems. The real difference is that Windows and MacOS are very safe bets, whereas Linux is much more hit and miss.

 

[Padma]

I should also point out that if Linux was more popular, Linux would have just as many viruses as Windows.

I call complete and total BS.

 

[Bratmon]

^
I will strengthen Padama's point:


Let's say you wanted to get an e-mail virus:
Microsoft with outlook:
1. Open the email

Linux with Thunderbird:
1. Open the email
2. Download the file
3. Give the file application rights

What if you want to do real damage with said virus:
Microsoft with outlook:
Be on the first account created (admin)

Linux with Thunderbird:
Be in the root account, which is not the default and you are instructed never to do.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

I call complete and total BS.

Maybe not as many as Windows, but it would garner much more attention from the people that write viruses, spyware and malware. A large part of the gunk you can get on Windows is for monetary profit to the guy that created it. There is money available because there are so many pc's with windows, and so many vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities, the known ones, are known because there are so many windows machines. If Linux had a larger market share, you can bet there would be more viruses written for it, and more vulnerabilities found for it. As it stands though, Windows is easier to attack, so it gets attacked.

Also has to do with the avg intelligence of a Linux user vs a Windows user.

 

[Bratmon]

Let's say 10 people can look for Y vulnerability. With windows, the one person who could profit spends time looking for the vulnerability. With Linux, the other 9 can find it while the boss is on vacation

 

[Zelig]

Let's say you wanted to get an e-mail virus:
Microsoft with outlook:
1. Open the email

Not if you keep Outlook up to date.

Linux with Thunderbird:
1. Open the email
2. Download the file
3. Give the file application rights

Oh, look, the most up to date version of Thunderbird has had far more vulnerabilities than Outlook, and some of them have no available patch.

 

[Cutlass]

How do you run Civ under linux?

 

[Bratmon]

^
If it becomes more popular, they will release a version for it.

Not if you keep Outlook up to date.



Oh, look, the most up to date version of Thunderbird has had far more vulnerabilities than Outlook, and some of them have no available patch.

Okay, pick another Linux client. This is about principle. Wait, is this the same as the FF is less secure claim?

 

[Aramazd]

Okay, pick another Linux client. This is about principle.

What principle?

Wait, is this the same as the FF is less secure claim?

It is in the way that they both have more security vulnerabilities.

I call complete and total BS.

If Linux replaces Windows, you're going to have to put up with the same people who don't update and open virus-laden email attachments.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I know one thing Linux will never have (although it's not actuall Windows, but Microsoft Office):

Clippy!

But... maybe not so much an advantage. I don't like Clippy (dumb PITA), but I like the cat and the dog.

 

[Aramazd]

I know one thing Linux will never have (although it's not actuall Windows, but Microsoft Office):

Clippy!

But... maybe not so much an advantage. I don't like Clippy (dumb PITA), but I like the cat and the dog.

If you don't like it, turn it off. They actually got rid of Clippy in the last release, everyone hated it so much.

 

[Bratmon]

What principle?

The principle that Linux is created with security in mind.

It is in the way that they both have more security vulnerabilities.

No, MS only reports vulnerabilities that their security team did NOT discover. Mozilla reports all vulnerabilities. Apples and oranges.

If Linux replaces Windows, you're going to have to put up with the same people who don't update and open virus-laden email attachments.

Can't argue with you there.

 

[GVBN]

If Linux was as popular as windows, Windows would quickly die.

But it isn't and it will never be

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

But it isn't and it will never be

Not until well after we're all dead and rotted.