Appel and Oranges no more?

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

The problem with fanaticism is it means people will NOT convert from what they're already using. Like I said, Apple already has a *nix distro. It's not exactly converting raging stadiums full of fans. It's free, it has the same features as Linux or Unix, and it has the benefits of backing by one of the biggest IT players on the planet. No, I don't think that you'd get people converting from Linux to OSX just because they made it available on non-Apple hardware. People who use Linux aren't intested in ease of use. That's why they don't use Windows.

I don't think we'll see an immediate shift of most users. Linux users give lots of reasons for using Linux, but when it comes down to it, very few of them even switch distibutions unless it stops being developed. They are as stuck on what they use as any other OS user. If anything, if Mac OS started getting a huge share of commercial OS users I think you'd see a lot more security threats targeting Mac OS instead of just Windows. Which brings people back to using Linux or Unix again.

[The Jade Knight]

I think one of the major pulls of Linux is that it's got the whole open source/GNU thing going for it (and FSF backing).

It's not just free, it's permanently free, and it inherently requires that it be so - free and open.  GNU/Linux is the ultimate "stick it to the man" OS.

[Oldie Black Witch]

*Bill the Man, to be precise.






*Bill is a proper noun, not a verb.

[Spriggan]

I think one of the major pulls of Linux is that it's got the whole open source/GNU thing going for it (and FSF backing).

It's not just free, it's permanently free, and it inherently requires that it be so - free and open.  GNU/Linux is the ultimate "stick it to the man" OS.

Apparently there are many people that disagree with the free aspect.

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2005/tc2005067_2133_tc024.htm

[The Jade Knight]

I don't see how that article claims that GNU/Linux isn't a perpetually free OS.

[Spriggan]

Because while you're getting the software for free you're paying more for support and programmers then you would with a Microsoft product.  So in other words there are so many hidden costs behind the free OS's that to businesses Microsoft is cheaper in the long run.

[Mad Dr Jeffe]

I dont see how that is true... given the costs for security problems for Microsoft, IT support and networking issues not to mention astronomical software costs for businesses. No matter how you look at it open source GNU/Linux its going to be cheaper.

Of course it will cost some money to get it to do what you want, but not a huge amount more. The one mention of cost in there wasn't backed up with any numbers or relevant data. Just a brief aside about how it was killing the company.

[The Jade Knight]

For most intelligent (read: geeky) home users, Linux remains free.  Granted, for a business this would be different.  You don't want to spend the time constantly troubleshooting your computers yourself.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

Repeated studies have shown that the costs of operating *nix systems are consistantly higher than Windows. Between tech support and the higher cost of employees proficient with the software but still willing to deal nicely with non-proficient users (very uncommon, especially among *nix users -- they have a well-deserved reputation for being haughty and resentful of the people the network actually exists for).

*nix takes more time and energy and skill to run. That translates directly into costs for the company.

[The Jade Knight]

Again, that's for companies, not for individuals.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

as much as "sticking it to the man" is fun, Microsoft really cares, much, much, much more about companies using their products than individuals.

[Oldie Black Witch]

And I'm on a Linux box at work at an internet security company. Go fig.

[Jelly_Belly]

I thought I heard something about you getting a job. What is it? What do you do? Is it a good job?

[Entsuropi]

No job that includes linux is a good job!