Rouxenator
Dank meme lord
As soon as Linux becomes as usable as Windows then I see big trouble for Microsoft. But two things will happened before then, one ReactOS will go out of alpha stage and two pigs will fly.
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The Linux versus Microsoft war is over
- Thread starter rpm
- Start date
SomeoneEls
Senior Member
Not picking, just curious, how is it less usable?
Rouxenator
Dank meme lord
None of my application I have now will run on it, and I can't just download stuff and expect it to work. For Linux to succeed they will need to make a new internet full of linux type binaries and stuff that works on it. Then I'll have to fuel up the old Delorean Time Machine and go back to when I first started using computers and use this alternative internet and make sure everything I have is Linux compatible.
packetloss
Well-Known Member
The right tool for the right job.
Linux for server, Desktop.
PS3 for gaming
PS: Would have loved the linux for desktop part to really true. Still a little way to go for average users. m$ still have the best desktop.
Linux for server, Desktop.
PS3 for gaming
PS: Would have loved the linux for desktop part to really true. Still a little way to go for average users. m$ still have the best desktop.
I supposed experiences differ.
Little example, my HP 6313 all in one printer (it's not that old) works out of the box in Linux across the network. Windows 7 only the printing works via usb&network, scanning is basically a no go and in order to get it to work I need to download a mofo 400MB driver/app pack, don't even have the option to just get the drivers.
My Plantronics headset (yes it's old) works a charm in linux, Windows 7 just shows me a toffee
and it works in XP if I download the drivers.Some of the generic drivers in Win7 also don't work so hot, things improve though if you go to the chipset manufacturer for the device in question and download their drivers.
Experiences are probably also based on mindset/indoctrination. If you have been using X for all your life changing over to Y is gonna hard because things are done differently and we all know people are resistant to change, myself included. I find certain things in OS X just plain stupid and cumbersome but that's probably because I have very little experience with it and don't use it that often. I have WinXP installed on my HDD for in case I wanna try a game out but I have not booted into it for months. I have Win7 in a VM which I use on the odd occasion to test things out for friends or walk people through something over the phone as it's easier to explain things when you are both on the same page. Linux is my OS of choice and I'm not one of those zealots constantly trying to convert people or singing it's praises all the time and I don't think it's ready for the desktop for reasons other than hardware support. I honestly don't care what other people use but it grates my ass a bit when people just suck things out of their thumbs, this is not directed at you.
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grim
Expert Member
Got any proof to back up your statements?
An example of this is the fact that a standard user cannot change or delete any files outside of their Home profile, it's only until Windows XP onwards that Microsoft started taking user access seriously thanks to NTFS permissions and other technologies.
Sure, like Windows, being closed source has made it hard for people to attack it.
It's a myth that Linux is more secure than Windows and doesn't need AV or any other software to protect it, there's plenty of malware out there targeted at Linux systems.
Again, I have an issue with "plenty".
SAUCE PLEASE!
The default Linux permissions are a lot better than Windows, problem still is a lot of users will use password, Password, Pass123, etc. for their root account. Those running Linux now are a lot more security concious than your average PC user and they hopefully don't use those kind of passwords, problem comes in when the average PC user starts installing Linux himself and has to set the root passwod.
I didn't say that Windows is better because it's closed source or that being closed source makes it more secure, just that open source is more vulnerable because the code is easily and freely accessible. Instead of spending weeks or even months probing different attack vectors on a Windows platform just take a day or two and go over the source to see what vulnerabilities exist within the code. Also a lot of exploits that attackers use on Windows platforms are only created after MS publicly announce the flaw when they release the fix for it(Remember kids always install the latest security updates).
Plenty was maybe the wrong word, but the fact remains that malware on Linux does exist, it is not immune to it.
It comes down to the end user, if you're gonna be clicking on every popup that comes up, clicking every link in the spam your receive, using weak passwords, going to dodgy sites looking for 'Linux distros' without being knowledgeable about the risks and proper protection against them your system is vulnerable. There is one thing that no OS, AV or firewall can protect against and that is user stupidity. What's stopping a user from clicking on a link in a phishing mail and having their bank account emptied?
Sure, but End User password strength and stupid life choices have nothing to do with the OS's security, so I see it as irrelevant to mention. Granted, Linux users are generally more tech savvy and concerned with keeping good passwords, but if you look at the average Mac users, your point falls short as OSX is very probably more secure and reliable despite the average Mac user being less interested in password strength.
When people say there are no viruses for Linux, I don't think they mean it in a literal "0.0 viruses exist" sort of way, the statistical comparison of number of virii per OS means that the amount of viruses for Linux is statistically insignificant.
That has bôggerôl to do with the OS...
killadoob
Honorary Master
I highly doubt that, what can run the latest games other than windows? I think you would need to google before checking.
If they could just allow the use keyboard and mouse on a console windows would die over night and console sales would sky rocket. I think the only reason people still use pc's for gaming is the keyboard and mouse factor. I am sure the gpu manufacturers are well aware of this though.
What is with the whole war anyhow? If you need windows then run it. If you want both then dual boot. If you only want to use linux and it works for you well then go ahead and do it. Use what works for you, sadly you may need to use both if you game and use certain apps.
I agree with the sentiment of your post, however it's also up to developers to support the operating system, not for the OS to support "My App". VLC Media Player runs on OSX, Win and Linux. Linux obviously doesn't have Direct Sound and Direct Draw/3D support but Mac, Lin and Win all have OpenGL and SDL support.
I think, with the slow but constant expansion of Linux, we will slowly start seeing more software titles being ported to Linux. Valve recently released Steam for OSX, which means there are now more games for Mac users. There's speculation that they'll be doing the same for Linux, but god knows when.
The other problem is licensing and big companies ignoring Linux completely. The high end music software I use runs on the Big Three OS's but some of the plugins I use are OSX and Windows exclusives, mainly because Steinberg don't have a VST SDK for Linux. Why would they, considering the market share for Linux is, just like the virus scenario, statistically insignificant.
If a company or private developer does make a program you like and use, and they do make a Linux/Mac version, email them and thank them.
Wait, what? Windows would die over night? Is this based on any actual thought or research besides "every console gamer really wants to play Call of Duty like a PC guy does?"
Keep in mind that many console gamers are casual gamers, many of which don't just play FPS games. Also keep in mind, many of the PC gamers, already have a PC and want to play games on their existing hardware.
You're also overlooking the modding communities, the indie/casual gamers and many other aspects.
Sure, if I had a console I'd want a keyb/mouse type configuration. But at the same time, even if it did, I wouldn't trade in my PC for a console, ever.
Elimentals
Honorary Master
Joke is the war is over and Apple is the one laughing all the way to the bank.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215786/Apple_vs._Microsoft_by_the_numbers
PS: I prefer Open Source, but if we talking money while Microsoft was busy fighting for the desktop, someone totally blindsided them.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215786/Apple_vs._Microsoft_by_the_numbers
PS: I prefer Open Source, but if we talking money while Microsoft was busy fighting for the desktop, someone totally blindsided them.
hornbill81
Well-Known Member
I supposed experiences differ.
Little example, my HP 6313 all in one printer (it's not that old) works out of the box in Linux across the network. Windows 7 only the printing works via usb&network, scanning is basically a no go and in order to get it to work I need to download a mofo 400MB driver/app pack, don't even have the option to just get the drivers.
My Plantronics headset (yes it's old) works a charm in linux, Windows 7 just shows me a toffee
Some of the generic drivers in Win7 also don't work so hot, things improve though if you go to the chipset manufacturer for the device in question and download their drivers.
Experiences are probably also based on mindset/indoctrination. If you have been using X for all your life changing over to Y is gonna hard because things are done differently and we all know people are resistant to change, myself included. I find certain things in OS X just plain stupid and cumbersome but that's probably because I have very little experience with it and don't use it that often. I have WinXP installed on my HDD for in case I wanna try a game out but I have not booted into it for months. I have Win7 in a VM which I use on the odd occasion to test things out for friends or walk people through something over the phone as it's easier to explain things when you are both on the same page. Linux is my OS of choice and I'm not one of those zealots constantly trying to convert people or singing it's praises all the time and I don't think it's ready for the desktop for reasons other than hardware support. I honestly don't care what other people use but it grates my ass a bit when people just suck things out of their thumbs, this is not directed at you.
I think its fair to say that both Linux and Windows will have hardware that requires drivers. Agreed - Windows 7 is more fussy about what hardware you stick into the pc... but as I like new toys, an upgrade was seriously needed and I was happy to comply!
I've tried Linux on and off, (have one installed on my partner's machine - and no, can't get that one's triple monitor working either) and have posted my frustrations on here a few times - can never get it to install the drivers for my cards, can never adjust the resolution much higher than 1024x768... infact I think that was the default rez, couldn't change it. Delving into scripts and stuff was a pain.... .... then it dies and you have to reinstall......... So ya, perhaps mindset, a heap of patience.... and I know, I'm spoiled with MS, and I love it!
“Free” for scads of computers would be a massive incentive to bring-down the price of cheap computers. As well as Linux being functionally better than Windows, Windows have a major strike against them by being closed source.
A previous post on Linux superiority over Windows:
It would be insane to hand power to closed-source Microsoft who may have trapdoors in their software. MS is an American company and America has proved to be not above manipulating the IT world to their advantage (the WikiLeaks saga). If Windows is selected as the OS for cheap computing, I would suspect backhands and corruption. They are simply (and obviously) not suitable.
MadMailMan
Expert Member
Nope. That is Oracle, a completely different beast. Just as trustworthy as M$ tho.
Linux (or Unix) has also been around for a long, long time (longer than Windows) and, because it’s open source, many talented people have looked at it (far more than at Windows). It has gone through the crucible of user criticism (long ago). It would be far more difficult to write a virus for the frequently scrutinised Linux, than for Windows.
Elimentals
Honorary Master
/facepalm
Erm I am a Linux fanboy so to speak and what you just said is just wrong
Linux only came about in the 90's and is "unix like" so its far younger than Dos/windows. Oh and allot of Microsoft Windows code originally came from BSD like the netstack, so it has traces back to the Original UNIX.
On that note Let me fix another misconception:
Linux is open as anyone can FIX the code. In Windows world there is a thing called de-compilers that is illegal, but if you writing a virus/trojan, legality is the last thing you care about ie: the source is closed, like in you have no access to FIX it.
What does this mean at the end of the day in regard to security: Well if there is say a zero day exploit, in the Linux world any of the millions of programers that have access to it can fix it and send the fix for everybody to use but in the M$ world you have to wait till Microsoft house of programers code a fix and adds it to the update stream.