From: "Timothy R. Butler" <tbutler@uninetsolutions.com> Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2000 22:32:43 -0600 Message-ID: <004101c0504f$6d5fb080$0101a8c0@g4958> Subject: RE: [SLE] mac osX The end of Linux?
Sorry to get in on this thread sort of late - but I thought I'd list a few reasons why it won't do away with Linux (some may have already been mentioned:
10.) Linux's strong hold isn't in the Desktop anyway - it's in the server, something the Mac is very weak in (weaker than Windows, IIRC)
McOS X is unix, and thus an excellent se4ving platform
But not standard Unix, and I've yet to hear that you can remove the GUI layer. Exactly why would you pay big money for a Unix-based operating system, when you can get the totally free version that is well tested? Now please note: I'm a PC kinda guy. I've never liked Macs. Now, that said, let's continue. <p>> > 8.) Linux is open source, and draws many people for that reason.
The guts of MacOS X are open sourced. www.apple.com/publicsource
But not GPL, MIT, or BSD style licensing. I'm pretty sure that the Apple Public License, which has extensive restrictions on it (that's what I've heard - I haven't taken a lot of time to investigate). I might also add, that I hear, that most of the open source stuff was already open source under less restrictive licenses elsewhere.
7.) Linux is attracting more developers than the Mac (I think)
I would really hesitate to say that without some real numbers. There are literally millions of MacOS developers; the platform has a nearly 20 year legacy.
Yeah, and Unix has over 30 years of legacy. MacOS is old, but what I'm saying, is that I think that the current, active, developers for UNIX/Linux software is GREATER than that of MacOS.
6.) Linux is supported on many architectures, not just Apple/IBM/Motorola's expensive PowerPC chips and MHz-lacking processors.
MHz = rpm's. Iwon't get into a performance debate with you; rather I'd urge you to talk to another linux dev house, terrasoft.
I'll have to do some investigations, but I don't believe that the 500-MHz G4's provide a large enhancement (if any) over a 1.1 GHz Athlon or PIII - which, are much nicer on my wallet.
5.) Linux/UNIX is the only place for a complete, free office suite that resembles MS-Office (rather than all-in-one StarOffice). KOffice!
True, but I would argue that very little of the pc market cares if they can get a free office product. Tey more care bout having a well supported product.
True - but Linux's core/main user base does care, I would think.
4.) Linux with KDE 2.0 provides a more customizable, modern, and robust GUI.
heh horseshit. Read about Aqua.
I've read about it - it doesn't look or sound as impressive as KDE 2.0. It looks like a messy old Window Manager with a few nice touches. KDE, on the other hand, combines the best parts of all the current GUI's providing a smart, streamlined, highly customizable UI (I doubt Aqua can be customized to the point of KDE).
3.) Macs only have one mouse button.
Until now I actually took this post seriously. Tere are myriad 2 button mice available for the MacOS. However 2 button mice only confuse new users.
Does MacOS actually provide good support for right-click context menu? This is an important feature to a PC user like myself (hey, most UNIX'ers like those 3-button mice!).
2.) Linux has the ability to go to a command prompt for trouble shooting
a) having to go to the cli to fix a problem is a detrament to and OS, not a strength
I would argue the exact opposite. A good OS should have strong ties to both console and GUI - and the ability to do everything from either. That way both newbies and power users can be happy. Linux is the best example of something getting close to this. If MacOS X can do all of that - then good for it, but Windows and Linux have been doing it for years. <p>> > and the number one reason why Linux won't be done away with by MacOS....
1.) You don't have to have a fruity colored computer to use Linux!
?!
Is graphite fruity? Have you seen a cube? Do you do any industry reading at all (you certainly know next to nothing about MacOS X, which has been all over Slashdot, Ares Technica and Daemon news lately).
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know they aren't ALL fruity - but I was being sarcastic. Over all, basically, if nothing else, what irks me about all the hype on MacOS X, is the fact that it's basically just catchup with the other guys. I mean MacOS didn't even have multiuser access or preemptive multitasking (IIRC) until OS X! Even Windows has that stuff. -Tim ----------------------------------------------------------------- Timothy R. Butler Universal Networks Information Tech. Consultant Christian Web Services Since 1996 ICQ #12495932 AIM: Uninettm An Authorized IPSwitch Reseller tbutler@uninetsolutions.com http://www.uninetsolutions.com ===================== "Solutions that Work" =====================